Bowen Pass & Illinois Pass Trail via Ruby Mountain Trail
15.8 mi · ▲ 3,591 ft · 7 hr 4 min
Bowen Pass & Illinois Pass Trail via Ruby Mountain Trail is a 15.8-mile out-and-back in Arapaho National Forest near Gaskil, CO. The route reaches Bowen Pass at the turnaround, 7.9 miles in. It climbs 3,591 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 91/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bowen Pass & Illinois Pass Trail via Ruby Mountain Trail
15.8 mi · ▲ 3,591 ft · 7 hr 4 min
Elevation 9,661–11,484 ft
Out & Back · Arapaho National Forest
Trailhead: Illinois Pass Trail · 40.37547, -105.99538
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:35 AM · sunset 7:33 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Start on Illinois Pass Trail, heading S.
- 2 miSharp right onto Ruby Mountain Trail, heading NE.
- 5.9 miReach Bowen Pass, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 5.9 miSharp left onto Illinois Pass Trail, heading NE.
- 2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 7.5 mi in (~253 min). Leave by 3:00 PM for the 7:33 PM sunset. Back at your car by 11:17 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
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Hikes near Gaskil, Colorado