Kenosha Pass: Grant to Jefferson on US 285

The drive

This Kenosha Pass itinerary follows US 285 from Grant across the pass toward Jefferson. The mapped one-way highway segment is approximately 11.8 miles; it is not a loop or an entire Denver-to-South-Park trip.

The downloadable GPX follows connected mapped highway geometry. It does not follow the Colorado Trail, a Kenosha Pass hiking trail, campground access roads or an off-road route.

The Forest Service highlights the area's fall aspens and warns that leaf-season trailhead crowds require extra caution along the US 285 corridor. Enjoy the scenery without stopping in a travel lane or on an unsafe shoulder.

RevScore: this route's curviness

How these planning facts were checked

The OSRM car-routing model was checked against 50 points along this exact GPX, including its loop or segment shape—not simply the fastest route between the endpoints. The 20 min–30 min range uses rounded planning allowances of 15–75% above the model's no-live-traffic baseline. These allowances are not measured traffic statistics or a guarantee; allow extra time for lunch, photographs and other stops.

Terrain elevations were sampled at 100 points along the GPX using the USGS NED approximately 10-metre terrain dataset hosted by Open Topo Data (dataset snapshot: April 23, 2020). The displayed range is rounded to 50 feet / 10 metres. It is an approximate sampled range—not an exact road minimum/maximum, summit height or cumulative elevation gain. Terrain can differ from the road surface around tunnels, bridges and road cuts.

Facts checked October 16, 2026. Sources are linked under “Guide sources.” The original GPX remains an untimed map trace; these modeled facts are not recorded-drive measurements.

Driving notes

1. Active highway traffic

   US 285 carries through traffic. Watch for slower vehicles, turning traffic and pedestrians near the pass.

2. Use lawful pullouts

   Plan any photo or walking stop separately, use permitted parking and keep road shoulders and accesses clear.

3. Conditions can change

   Snow, ice and weather can affect the highway. Check COtrip before departure rather than assuming a seasonal opening or closure.

Places along the route

• Grant

  Start on the US 285 corridor; choose a safe meeting location separately.

• Kenosha Pass area

  Any trailhead visit is separate from this driving trace and subject to parking and recreation rules.

• Jefferson

  The one-way mapped segment ends on the US 285 corridor near town.

Questions drivers ask