Browns Pass

Managing agency

San Juan NF — Columbine RD (West)

Browns Pass is a 7.6-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near the San Juan National Forest's Columbine Ranger District on the West side. The trail is managed by the US Forest Service under the San Juan NF administration. This moderately-distance hike takes you through the San Juan mountains, offering access to higher elevation terrain typical of the region. The out-and-back format means you'll retrace your route on the return, covering approximately 15.2 miles total if hiking the full distance to the pass and back. The trail serves as a gateway to Browns Pass itself, making it a popular choice for hikers seeking alpine views and mountain scenery. The San Juan National Forest setting provides the characteristic landscape of southwestern Colorado's high country. Given the trail's proximity to the Columbine Ranger District, this area offers typical San Juan forest conditions with coniferous vegetation and mountain vistas. The out-and-back design provides flexibility—hikers can turn back at any point rather than committing to the full distance.