The idea for the Berthoud Pass Auto Tour came about as a fun way to share all the historical information and photos that had been collected while working on "The Berthoud Pass Research Corridor for Universal Design". Students from the Colorado School of Mines and PAW's Director spent four years mapping all of the historical sites along the wagon road found on the Pass. Their work provides the foundation for the Auto Tour. Now it has expanded to include other interesting facts about the Pass. Some of the additional information is the highway's construction, wildlife that live on the Pass, and facts about the many avalanches on both sides of Berthoud Pass.
The Auto Tour starts at Empire Junction or Interstate 70 Exit #232. On US Highway 40, the starting Mileage Post (MP) in Clear Creek County will be #258 and continue west and then north along US Highway 40 to the Summit of Berthoud Pass or MP # 243. Once on the Grand County side of the Pass, it continues down the mountain and ends at MP # 231 which is north of the Moffat Tunnel.
The Auto Tour will be found on the Clear Creek County website but several partners will have links as well as this site. Historical information is provided on what to find between the mileage posts along the way. It is hoped that the site can be enjoyed and experienced by families, locals and visitors to Clear Creek and Grand Counties as they learn about mountain transportation and recreation.
The Berthoud Pass Auto Tour ( BPAT) was completed on December 15, 2011 by PAW and has been turned over to Clear Creek County for review and publishing on their website. The BPAT project was a long and fun one for PAW. PAW gave it to Clear Creek County as a gift for their strong partnership and support over the years.
Partners for the project are:
Berthoud Pass Ski Patrol former members
Clear Creek County
Colorado Department of Transportation
Colorado School of Mines
Denver Public Library - use of Empire and Berthoud Pass Photos
Richard and Kurt Engelmann - Photos of Engelmann Peak
Granby Public Library - wonderful staff in finding needed research material
Grand County Historical Association - Historic photos of Berthoud Pass
Grand County Model Railroad Club - The Moffat Way Museum
Historical Society of Idaho Springs - photos of the Pass and Empire
Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation - Carnegie Mellon U. - Pittsburgh, PA
Greg McFadden for our Auto Tour logo
Missouri Botanical Garden , St. Louis - Photos of George Engelmann
Mountain Press Publishing Company -Missoula, Montana
Ray Mumford - Avalanche information and photos
Sanborn, LTD - use of their postcard photos
St. Joseph Museum, St. Joseph, Missouri
U. S. Geological Society staff in Denver, Colorado has been amazing in their help.
