The climb to Loveland Pass - south side

Big mountain climbing over the Great Divide

Dillon - Keystone - Loveland Pass - Keystone - Dillon

Your ride starts at the high mountain lake of Lake Dillon in Summit County and ends atop a glorious 11,990ft mountain pass on the Continental Divide. One of my favorite climbs in Colorado, I enjoy the relatively flat warm-up with a gradual climb through pines trees, opening to big mountain vistas and dramatic switchbacks to the summit.

You will start at Dillon Marina, cycle the bike path along Lake Dillon and through neighborhoods into Keystone Ski Resort. This is where the real climb begins and sweeping mountain views surround you as you climb to the top. There are sections of on and off 8% as you ascend the final switchbacks.

The top is without facilities but a great place to people watch, take photos and enjoy the view. Pause at the summit to celebrate your achievement with other cyclists who have reached the top from both sides. Join the tourists marveling at the engineering of this road built over the Great Divide in Colorado.

Your ride:

• Start: Lake Dillon Marina, CO, US
• Distance: 30.8 mi
• Elevation: + 3163 / - 3162ft
• Steepest grade on climb: 9%
• Average grade: 3.7% (from Dillon), 5.9% (from Keystone)
• Max altitude at summit: 11,990ft
• Finish: Lake Dillon Marina (out and back)
• Difficulty: Intermediate ride for cyclists who enjoy a steep climb. Due to long descent on road, this is not a ride for children.

Please read the additional riding in Summit County cycling tips offered on this page.

LOCATION:

Summit County, Colorado. Nearby towns include: Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, Montezuma, Frisco, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Georgetown. You may reach Loveland Pass by bicycle from any of these towns.

START/FINISH AND PARKING

This route begins and ends at the Marina parking lot in Dillon. You may also begin this route from Breckenridge or Frisco by riding over Swan Mountain.

ADDITIONAL MILES

You may add the loop route ride around Lake Dillon after climbing Loveland Pass. You may also extend your ride to the small town of Montezuma east of Keystone, or to Ute Pass from the Marina.

WATER ON ROUTE

Start with two full bottles of water at the Marina and you should be fine up to the summit and back down to Keystone if you ride a good steady pace. You'll want to pick up more water in Keystone Village. You won't find anything open at Arapahoe Basin in summer. No facilities on the summit.

RESTROOMS ON ROUTE

Restrooms are marked on the route map, your best bet is at the parking lot where you start and finish at Dillon Marina, or inside the village at Keystone.

CAUTIONS ON ROUTE

Come prepared for changing weather. Plan your ride between 8:00am-2:00pm. Afternoon rain showers are common, seek shelter. Large tank trucks use this road but there is a shoulder for cyclists.

POINTS OF INTEREST (POI) ON ROUTE

• Lake Dillon Marina: On the north shore of Lake Dillon, the marina features a fully stocked store, some boat rentals and sailing lessons. Watch the weekend regattas.
• Lake Dillon Free Concerts: Sunset at the Summit, a free Saturday evening series of live concerts takes place at the outdoor Dillon Amphitheater from July 4 to September 5, 2015.
• Keystone: with a population of just over 1,000, Keystone ski area offers nearly 3 acres of skiing per full-time resident. 20 ski lifts and 2 gondolas service a mountain with 57% terrain rated as "most difficult." Keystone Village is a man-made mountain base collection of condos, shops, homes and a golf course. Keystone has year-round special events.
• Keystone Bike Park features miles of single-track trails. You may ride the lift up and cruise the single track down. Bike rentals, helmets and safety equipment are available at the base of the lift in the village. Bike Park information. Attend a bike clinic in summer.
• Arapahoe Ski Basin: Nicknamed A-Basin, will host a stage finish of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge. Probably the least well known of the local ski resorts, A-Basin boasts the highest in-bounds skiable terrain (960 acres (3.9 km2)) in North America. Established in the 1940s, its relatively small 8-chair resort often stays open as late as July.
• Summit Sign: The sign at the top of Loveland Pass marks an 11,990foot point on the Continental Divide. The views are worth the journey.

AREA HISTORY

Hwy 6 over Loveland Pass was the only passage over this section of the Rocky Mountains until the lengthy Eisenhower Tunnel was built and opened in 1973. Today, trucks carrying dangerous fuels are not allowed to enter the tunnel, they must instead continue over Loveland Pass on the old Hwy 6 through Keystone to rejoin I-70 in Dillon. Although most cars now use the tunnel, you will feel the push of air as these large fuel trucks pass you during your ride.

Read more about the history of the towns you will be riding through and roads you will be riding upon here.

LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS

• Arapahoe Cafe: Food and drink on the patio. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open daily at 7am (except closed between 2-5pm). 626 Lake Dillon Ave., Dillon, CO 80435. Location
• Tiki Bar: Locals favorite for drinks and basic food. Open M-F 2:00pm, Sat & Sun open at 11:30am, Happy Hour daily 3-6pm. 150 Marina Dr., Dillon, CO 80435. Location
• Dillon Dam Brewery: Typical brewery menu and beer. Open daily. 100 Little Dam Street, Dillon, CO 80435. Location
• Keystone Village: Numerous additional cafes and restaurants may be found in the seasonal village of Keystone; some with nice patios, fountains or flower baskets.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CYCLING IN COLORADO

More cautions, cycling tips, tourist information and a list of bike shops (including bike rental locations) may be found on the Pedal Dancer Ambassador Profile page.

ROUTE CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Rakestraw, Laurie Decoteau, Antoinette (A.G.) Bradley.