Tincup Pass — Tincup to St. Elmo
Divide-top shelf road between two ghost towns
Tincup Pass is where Colorado mining history and a proper high-country climb meet. You leave the little town of Tincup, a gold camp that somehow never died, and follow Forest Road 267 up through aspen and spruce along Willow Creek. The trees quit, the road narrows into a rocky shelf, and you crawl up to 12,154 feet on the Continental Divide. The east side drops through loose rock and tundra with big views of the Collegiate Peaks. It finishes at St. Elmo, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state. You’ll pass old mine workings and cabin remains the whole way. The only real obstacle is a rough, rocky stretch near the summit where tires and nerves both get tested.
It’s rated moderate, but don’t treat it like a Sunday cruise. You want a stock high-clearance 4WD with decent tires, and you want to be off the pass before afternoon thunderstorms roll in. Snow hangs on well into July, so the realistic window is July through September. There’s no fuel on the route and no cell service, so fill up in Gunnison or Buena Vista and carry water. Dispersed camping is allowed on national forest land along the lower sections, but check current rules. What you get is a half-day of real alpine driving and two historic towns with nothing between them but rock and sky. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 11 mi / 17.7 km |
| Duration | 3-4 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12154 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Tincup, Colorado |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Gunnison National Forest and San Isabel National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison NF Pike & San Isabel NF |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma do Tincup Pass?
Yes. A stock 4WD with real ground clearance handles it fine, and no lockers or lift are needed. Expect loose rock and ledgy steps, so decent all-terrain tires and a careful line matter more than modifications. Passenger cars and low-clearance crossovers don't belong here.
When is Tincup Pass open, and can I drive it in winter?
Plan on July through September. The pass tops out at 12,154 feet and holds snow well into early summer, and it isn't maintained or plowed in winter. Early-season snowdrifts and afternoon thunderstorms are both real risks, so check with the Forest Service for current conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to drive Tincup Pass?
No permit or fee is required to drive it. The route crosses Gunnison National Forest and San Isabel National Forest, and standard Forest Service rules apply. Stay on the established road and respect private property in and around Tincup and St. Elmo.
What's the hardest part of the Tincup to St. Elmo run?
The narrow shelf-road stretch near the top is the one that gets attention. It's rocky, mostly one lane, and exposed, so you'll want to use the pullouts and be ready to yield or back up to one. Take it slow, spot your tires on the ledges, and don't rush the descent on the St. Elmo side, where the rock continues.
Is there cell service, and can I camp along Tincup Pass?
There's no cell service along the route, so download your maps and carry a traction kit, recovery gear, and a communication backup such as a satellite messenger. Dispersed camping is available on national forest land along the route. There are also water crossings, so check depth and flow before committing, especially in early-season runoff.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.