Bowen Pass
Granby, CO
Bowen Pass
Stand astride an unusual spot along the Continental Divide where water flows in seemingly wrong directions. This lengthy hike to Bowen Pass begins in Rocky Mountain National Park, continues into Arapaho National Forest and ends at an odd spot along the Continental Divide. At Bowen Pass, water flowing east ends up in the Pacific Ocean, while water that flows west from the pass ends up in the Atlantic drainage system. Bowen Gulch recognizes Jim Bowen who developed an ultimately, unproductive mine on Bowen Mountain in the 1870s. His old wagon road forms the first part of this hike, climbing up through a relatively uninteresting lodgepole pine forest. But there are rewards for those that persevere, as the trail enters a lush sub-alpine forest, including a beautiful meadow of wildflowers just before the pass. Don’t try this hike early in the season, as the many creek crossings can be difficult.
Driving Directions
We cannot find this location: please try again.
Directions to: Bowen Pass
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Granby |
| Length | 16 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 2,906 ft |
| Skill Level | Moderate |
| Duration | 196 minutes up, 150 minutes down |
| Season | Late June to mid-October |
| Trailhead Elevation | 8,810 ft |
| Top Elevation | 11,476 ft |
REI MEMBERS: SAVE $20 on a Trails.com Subscription
Subscribe to Trails.com for just $29.95 a year and gain full access to over 49,000 professional trail guides, high-res USGS topo maps & much more!
