Summit / Park County · CO 9

Hoosier Pass

The Continental Divide crossing between Breckenridge and South Park. Short, steep, and quietly serious in winter.

11,542′
Summit
CO 9
Route
Year-round
Access

Current Status

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Status from CDOT COTrip, refreshed once each morning. This page reports what CDOT publishes — for a legal closure or an active incident, cotrip.org and CDOT variable message signs are authoritative.

Overview

Hoosier Pass carries CO 9 over the Continental Divide at 11,542 feet between Breckenridge and Fairplay. It is the direct link between Summit County and South Park, and the route most Park County anglers take to reach the Blue River — or that Summit County residents take to reach the Dream Stream.

Why It Closes

Ice on the north side

The Breckenridge approach is shaded and holds ice well into spring mornings.

Blowing snow at the summit

The summit sits above treeline with a long exposed approach from the Fairplay side.

Avalanche paths

Slide paths cross the highway on the north side. Control work closes the road.

Crashes on the switchbacks

The southbound descent tightens quickly. Unequipped vehicles regularly block it.

Timing It

Sunny winter mornings hide the worst ice on the north side. Give the pass more time than the mileage suggests — it is only 10 miles from Breckenridge to the summit but the climb is continuous.

Alternate Routes

The detour is Fremont Pass on CO 91 to Leadville, then US 24 south, adding roughly an hour. Both crossings are high and both are affected by the same weather.

Common Questions

How high is Hoosier Pass?

Hoosier Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 11,542 feet on CO 9 between Breckenridge in Summit County and Fairplay in Park County. The summit sits above treeline.

Is Hoosier Pass open in winter?

Hoosier Pass is maintained and open year-round, but it closes intermittently for avalanche control, blowing snow, and crashes. The north side toward Breckenridge is shaded and holds ice well into spring mornings.

What is the alternate to Hoosier Pass?

The alternate is Fremont Pass on CO 91 to Leadville, then US 24 south toward Fairplay, adding roughly an hour. Both crossings are above 11,000 feet and are usually affected by the same storm.

Other Passes

Eisenhower Tunnel Conditions

I-70 · 11,158 ft · Silverthorne to Georgetown.

Vail Pass Conditions

I-70 · 10,662 ft · Copper Mountain to Vail.

Loveland Pass Conditions

US 6 · 11,990 ft · Arapahoe Basin and Keystone to Georgetown.

All Pass Conditions

Live status for all seven passes and highway segments we track.