Trans-America Trail Section 6
Cross the Continental Divide on America's backbone
Section 6 of the Trans-America Trail punches across Colorado’s high country, threading between fourteeners and through ghost towns like Tomichi Pass and Hancock. This 400-mile stretch connects Gunnison to Fort Collins via some of the most remote and spectacular alpine terrain in the lower 48, crossing the Continental Divide at Engineer Pass (12,800 feet) and Imogene Pass (13,114 feet). Old mining roads carved into cliffsides reveal jaw-dropping views of the San Juan Mountains, while abandoned stamp mills and mining camps tell stories of Colorado’s boom-and-bust silver era.
This is high-altitude adventure requiring acclimatization, emergency gear, and weather awareness — mountain storms above treeline kill. You need high-clearance 4WD with good tires and mechanical reliability; breakdowns at 12,000 feet mean expensive helicopter rides. July through September offers the narrow weather window, though snow can hit any month above 11,000 feet. Carry extra fuel, food, and warm gear. The payoff is crossing America’s backbone through terrain that remains as wild today as it was during the 1880s silver rush.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 400 mi / 643.7 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13114 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Land manager | Multiple agencies |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle TAT Section 6, or does it need to be built?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through most of it, but you'll want all-terrain tires and a skid plate minimum — some rocky shelf roads and loose passes will punish anything less. A mild lift (2-3 inches) adds real margin. Low-range is non-negotiable.
When does the trail actually open and when does it close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. High passes like those above 12,000 feet hold snow well into June and can see early storms by October. Don't push it on either end — a sudden storm at 13,000 feet on a remote shelf road is a serious problem.
Do you need permits to run TAT Section 6 through Colorado?
No single permit covers the whole route — it crosses BLM, National Forest, and other public lands that don't require entry fees or advance permits for vehicle travel. Some dispersed camping spots near popular areas may have posted restrictions, so read any signs on-site.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it hard?
The high-altitude passes crossing the Continental Divide are where most people have trouble — loose rock, narrow shelf roads with steep drop-offs, and elevation-induced mechanical stress on your rig. Soft ground after afternoon thunderstorms (which hit almost daily in July-August) can turn manageable terrain into a recovery situation fast.
Is there any cell service or fuel along the 400-mile route, and how should I plan for it?
Cell service is effectively zero for the majority of this section — assume none and plan around a satellite communicator. Fuel stops are sparse and far apart; Gunnison at the start and a few small towns along the northern half are your anchors, so carry extra fuel and know your rig's range before you roll.
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.