Pirate   Easy icon
Maps and GPS:                       
USGS 7.5' Map: Climax
Statistics:
Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time:
Easy 3 FR 856 1.60 11,800 ft. Rocky 1/2 hour
County: Park
Adopted by:      
Managed by: Pike Nat. Forest,
South Park Ranger District
320 Hwy 285, P.O. Box 219
Fairplay, CO 80440
(719)836-2031
Summary: Pirate is a short 4WD road off of the Mosquito Pass road that ends below the southwest side of Mount Buckskin.
Attractions: Scenery, History
Seasonal
Closure
Natural - Closed by heavy snow
Best Time: June - Early, may still be snowed in.
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - May be snowed in.
Trail Heads
Accessed:

Camping: There are no dispersed camp sites.
Base Camp: This would be a good area to base camp to explore the area around Mosquito Pass.
Fall Colors: Poor - Road is above timberline
Navigation: From Breckenridge CO. head south on S Main St toward W Adams Ave for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto CO-9 S/S Main St and continue to follow CO-9 S for 15.8 miles. Turn right onto County Road 10/Park Hill Road and go 1.5 miles. Slight right onto Mosquito Pass Road and go 4.7 miles. Slight right to start Pirage 4WD road.

From Fairplay, CO. head northwest on CO-9 N/Main Street toward 5th Street for 4.3 miles. Turn left onto Mosquito Pass Road and go 0.5 miles. Slight left onto Mosquito Pass Road and go 6.5 miles. Slight right to start Pirate 4WD road.
History:
Description:
The Pirate 4WD road starts at a switchback where the Mosquito Pass 4WD road crosses Mosquito Creek. Pirate continues up toward the headwaters of Mosquito Creek crossing water holes in the brush beside Mosquito Creek.
Water hole crossing

photo by:
Adam M

The road is a single lane two track that heads up away from Mosquito Creek as it continues northwest above timberline.
Pirate as it heads northwest

photo by:
Adam M

Rocky section

photo by:
Adam M

Paula K with Mosquto Pass road in the background

photo by:
Adam M

At the first switchback there is a short spur road on the left that goes over to and old crossing of Mosquito Creek that is no longer passable. This spur road is not on the Forest Service MVUM. You can walk across the old creek crossing and follow the over grown road up to the Champaign and Coney mines.
Champaign Mine

photo by:
Adam M

Back at the spur road intersection the Pirate 4WD road begins its climb up the southwest side of Mount Buckskin through eight switchbacks. This section of the road will be exposed being above timberline and even the brush along the creek.
First switchback

photo by:
Adam M

The road officialy ends shortly past a sharp left turn, though on the ground it continues a short distance to the Miriam Mine remains at 12,600 feet. This was once the lower tram station for a short airel tram to the mine at 13,600 feet.
Data updated - December 1, 2024      4WD Road driven - August 31, 2024      Copyright 4X4Explore - 2000-2025