Medano Pass
Medano Pass is located at just below 10,000 feet, and is accessed by the Medano Pass Primitive Road.
Plan Around Medano Pass
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Medano Pass Details
Medano Pass is located at just below under 10,000 feet; the road to the pass is 11 miles from the Point of No Return, climbing up from 7,645 to 9,931 feet. You must have a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle to drive the road, as there are a couple of rock obstacles, a steep descent, and several creek crossings which can be tricky during spring runoff. From the top of Medano Pass, you can hike to Medano Lake. There are also primitive backcountry sites along the side of the road if you wish to camp. Remember that you must acquire a backcountry permit to camp.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
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Nearby Parks Around Medano Pass
Compare nearby parks around Medano Pass when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Medano Pass
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Medano Pass while the map context is still fresh.
0.4 mi away
Medano Lake Trailhead
Located a half-mile west of the summit of Medano Pass.
2.8 mi away
Medano Lake Trail
A moderate hike to the alpine Medano Lake.
3.4 mi away
Mt. Herard
Climb to the summit of this 13,300-foot peak for unprecedented views of the Blanca range, the Sangre de Cristo mountains, and the dunes.
5.6 mi away
Lower Sand Creek Lake Trail
A trail to a high alpine lake beneath the summit of Tijeras Peak.
5.6 mi away
Music Pass Trailhead
The trailhead for Music Pass is a 2.5-hour drive from the park visitor center.
