Fremont Pass

Fremont Pass is the name of the mountain pass along highway 91 between Leadville and Copper Mountain. This 24 mile, paved road is a section of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, crossing the continental divide at it’s summit. The pass sits at the Lake County – Summit County line and gives guests their first introduction to Leadville’s mining history.

At the top of the pass sits the Climax mine, a major economic driver in the area since its opening in 1918. The mine supplied molybdenum, which strengthens steel, for World Wars I and II. The company town of Climax once sat here at over 11,000’. Many of the houses and other buildings were moved to Leadville in the 1960s and are still in use today. Learn more about the Climax mine and the area’s mining history at the Leadville Visitor Center and the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Leadville.

This area is also home to the Arkansas River Headwaters, Clinton Gulch Reservoir, Mayflower Gulch Trailhead and includes sections of both the San Isabel and White River National Forests. As you drive look above the Arkansas River Valley to the east and often you can see visitors on the Leadville Railroad, following the original Colorado & Southern narrow gauge line (later converted to standard gauge). Nearby, visitors to the Top of the Rockies Zipline soar over creeks and treetops taking in spectacular views.

The road reaches a height of 11,318 feet and is open year round.