Loveland Pass, at an elevation of 11,990 ft is another place where one can cross the nation's continental divide with relative ease. It's an alternate route for hazmat/over sized cargo carriers who cannot use the Eisenhower Tunnel. The tunnel is what the I-70 super slab uses to cross the continental divide as do 99% of all cagers who cross the divide at this point. According to Wikipedia, Loveland is the highest mountain pass in the world that regularly stays open during a snowy winter season. It was in fact, the main way to cross the Continental Divide until 1973 when the Eisenhower tunnel was opened.
The road can be treacherous in the winter season so check out the CDOT link below before deciding to ride out there, even in the early summer months.
The exit for Loveland Pass is just before the signs for the Eisenhower tunnel so keep an eye out as you near the tunnel. You'll be taking the US6 route. Again, beware the weather, its more than two miles up from sea level at this point and you can encounter ice even in June!
The pass is named after William A. H. Loveland, of Golden, former president of the Colorado Central Railroad. The Loveland ski resort is located along US6 on the west side of the continental divide as well.
Some of the scenery one sees when approaching the Continental Divide from the east, along I-70
Loveland Pass, end of April 2008
In summary, it's a paved road open most of the year, subject to closures due to snow and ice. It's within an hour and half of the Denver Metro Area so an easy day ride if you live there. It's a much more scenic way to cross the divide than just riding through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Don't get me wrong, the tunnel is quite the engineering marvel as well, just not much in terms of scenery!
CDOT's Road Conditions and Cameras: This is a great site to see if a pass is open or not and what kind of road conditions exists at said pass.
Here's my rides involving Loveland Pass: April 2008 May 2007
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