Baker's Tank Loop via Boreas Pass Road

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This is a short loop from the Boreas Pass winter trailhead up Boreas Pass Road to Baker's Tank, then returning to the trailhead via the Baker's Tank Trail. Riders wishing for a longer version should ride the Baker's Tank and Aspen Alley loop from Breckenridge.

Boreas Pass Road between Breckenridge and Como is open to motor vehicles.

The second half of the Baker's Tank Trail is steeper, rockier and more challenging than the upper half. Riders wishing to skip the more technical descent to the trailhead can utilize Valdero Trail to exit back to Boreas Pass Road and pedal west, downhill to the trailhead.

The Aspen Alley trail begins at the Boreas Pass Road winter trailhead. The trail was realigned in 2014, converting it to a very fun, flowy aspen grove touring descent. To extend the ride, leave a shuttle vehicle at the Stephen C. West Ice Arena and descend this trail following the later half of the Baker's Tank and Aspen Alley loop from Breckenridge.

Access the trailhead from a traffic signal at Highway 9 and Boreas Pass Road on the south end of Breckenridge. Drive Boreas Pass Road until the pavement ends and park at the trailhead shortly after.

From the trailhead, ride southeast along Boreas Pass Road. The first several miles of riding pass through a large aspen grove, and offers stunning views of the Goose Pasture Tarn, the Town of Breckenridge reservoir. At a large bend in the road 1.5 miles from the trailhead, pass the Valdero Trail intersection on the north side of the road.

Baker's Tank is 1.5 miles further up Boreas Pass Road. The trail is to the left of the tank, up a short section of road. There is a trail marker at a fence identifying the beginning of the trail. The initial climb from Boreas Pass Road is a bit steep, but levels off quickly to a buff, contouring trail in tacky, reddish dirt. There is an overlook with a small bench on the left side of the trail about 1,000 feet from Boreas Pass Road. This is an excellent place for a midride break.

From the bench, continue west on a nice gradient 3/4 miles to a fork in the trail. To the right is Mountain Pride Trail and to the left, Baker's Tank Trail continues downhill. There is a marker with a white arrow on a brown background pointing downhill. Go left and begin a wide, rooty descent. The descent can be slippery and unnerving when wet.

Descend for just under a mile to the intersection of Valdero Trail. This junction is not marked. Valdero Trail to the right is easy to miss. To the left there are two connections to the trail, which descends out to Boreas Pass Road. Should the upper section of Baker's Tank Trail prove too difficult, exit to Boreas Pass Road via Valdero Trail at this junction as the lower section of Baker's Tank Trail is steeper and more technical.

Continue due west on Baker's Tank Trail. The trail begins a short, mellow climb before topping out and descending steeply to the Boreas Pass winter trailhead.

Here is a great link to the Summit Historical Society and information on Baker's Tank: summithistorical.org/BakerT…