Cumberland Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cumberland Pass |
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Sign marking Cumberland Pass.
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| Elevation | 12,034 ft (3,668 m) |
| Traversed by | Forest Road 765 |
| Location | Gunnison County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | Sawatch Range |
| Coordinates | 38°41′20.98″N 106°29′3.1″W / 38.6891611°N 106.484194°W |
| Topo map | Cumberland Pass |
Cumberland Pass is a high mountain pass in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. It reaches an elevation of 12,034 feet (3,668 meters) above sea level. This pass is found in Gunnison County, within the Gunnison National Forest. It naturally separates the areas where water flows into West Willow Creek (to the north) and Quartz Creek (to the south).
Getting to Cumberland Pass
You can reach Cumberland Pass by driving on Forest Road 765. This road connects the towns of Tincup to the north and Pitkin to the south. The road is made of gravel, so it's not paved. Because of heavy snow, the pass is usually closed from November until May each year.
History of the Pass Road
The road over Cumberland Pass was first built in 1882. It was a wagon road designed to link the mining towns of Tin Cup and Pitkin. This allowed miners to transport valuable ore from the Tin Cup area. The ore was taken to the Quartz Station of the Denver & South Park Railroad. From there, it traveled by train east through the Alpine Tunnel. The road was later improved in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was made even better again in the 1950s.
Activities at Cumberland Pass
Today, you can still see signs of human activity at Cumberland Pass. There are old mining sites and abandoned mines scattered across the landscape. A network of dirt roads and trails makes the area popular for people using motorcycles, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), and four-wheel-drive vehicles. It's a great place for outdoor adventures and exploring history.
