Tomichi Pass
Maps/GPS:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Whitepine, Garfield
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Moderate 5 FR888 7.28 10,270 to 12,020 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Gunnison
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnison National Forest Gunnison Ranger District	216 N. Colorado Gunnison, CO 81230	970-641-0471
Summary:	Tomichi Pass is a moderate 4WD road the takes you from Brittle Silver Basin to the town of Tomichi and Whitepine (north to south crossing). You gain the pass quickly from the north side passing a few old mine remains driving a ledge road that requires your attention. The pass crosses between Paywell Mountain and Central Mountain. The south side is tight through the forest as it winds its way following Tomichi Creek down the basin.
Attractions:	Mountain pass, Scenery, History
Seasonal Closure:	Natural - The Tomichi Pass 4WD road is closed by snow.
Best Time:	June - The upper section is usually still closed by snow July - Possible opening depending on snow level August - Best September - Best October - Early in the month
Trail Heads Accessed:	Canyon Creek Trail FT481 - Motorcycle, Mountain Bike, Hike
Camping:	There are no dispersed campsites on the north side of Tomichi Pass. The south side in the lower part of the valley offers a few sites on public lands. Be aware of private property.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp with the large number of 4WD roads including Hancock Pass, Black Sage Pass, Old Monarch Pass, and the Alpine Tunnel.
Fall Colors:	Average - Views of distant aspen groves are possible from the pass. The lower creek area around Tomichi and Whitepine offer the best views.
Navigation:	From Pitkin, CO head northeast on Main Street for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto State Street and continue on Cnty Road 76 for 0.7 miles. Continue on Forest Service road 765 for 2.0 miles. Make a sharp right turn onto Forest Service road 839. Go 8.2 miles to a hairpin turn and continue straight onto FR888. Go 0.5 miles on FR888 to the head of Brittle Silver Basin. Continue on FS888 around a hairpin turn, this is the start of the Tomichi Pass 4WD road. From Sargents, CO head east on US Hwy 50 for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Cnty Road 888 and go 11.9 miles passing through Whitepine. Continue on FS888 past Tomichi following Tomichi Creek.
History:	Tomichi is the Ute word for "hot water". The road was used to connect the mines of Tomichi and Whitepine. It was a rough muddy route that did get improved enough to allow wagons to cross.
	Helmuth, Ed & Gloria The Passes of Colorado Boulder, Colorado: Pruett Publishing Company, ISBN 0-87108-841-X, 1994. Print.
Description:
Tomichi Pass divides Middle Quartz Creek to the north from Tomichi Creek to the south. From Brittle Silver Basin the top of Tomichi Pass is reached quickly. The 4WD road comes out of Brittle Silver Basin near a mine and heads up a narrow ledge road toward Tomichi Pass betwen Paywell Mountain and Central Mountain. Mine on North side of Tomichi Pass photo by: Adam M Mine boiler remains photo by: Adam M From Brittle Silver Basin (north) up Tomichi Pass road photo by: Adam M After crossing Middle Quartz Creek the road will climb two switchbacks and cross an old slide area that blocked the road in 2015 and took until 2019 to "fix". The fix to the slide is that you drive up over the rocks and dirt that covered the road. Each year the winters sluff off is cleared so the slide area can be driven over. Be aware that this slide pile is steep and narrow, so you only see your hood as you climb over it. Pay attention here. As you climb higher past timberline the road becomes a single lane. There are two very off camber sections that are just past timberline. Be aware of oncoming traffic as you head up as there are few places to pass. Tomichi Pass from Brittle Silver Basin (north) side photo by: Adam M Looking down the north side ledge section photo by: Adam M Heading down the Brittle Silver Basin (north) side photo by: Adam M The top of Tomichi Pass is short with very little room for vehicles. You will have a great view of the west side of Hancock Pass and Middle Quartz Creek. Tomichi Pass photo by: Adam M Continuing over the pass the road follows a valley down to timberline and ties in with the Tomichi Creek drainage. Tomichi Pass road down to Tomichi Creek (south) photo by: Adam M Heading from the Tomichi Creek (south) side photo by: Adam M Tomichi Creek (south) side just before the top photo by: Adam M Tomichi Creek (south) side heading to the top photo by: Adam M Coming up from the south side of the pass the road has become more rough and rocky over the years. The road is narrow in spots through the trees. Tomichi Creek (south) side rocky section photo by: Adam M You will find a few challenging sections to navigate before reaching timberline. Tomichi Creek (south) side water crossing photo by: Adam M Tomichi Creek (south) side photo by: Adam M Tomichi Creek (south) side rocky section photo by: Adam M Tomichi Creek (south) side close to timberline photo by: Adam M Tomichi Creek (south) side view of the pass photo by: Adam M The road above timberline is narrow, but not as off camber as the north side. At the southern end of Tomichi Pass is the old Tomichi Cemetary and the townsite of Tomichi. Today there are newer homes going in along Tomichi Creek above the old town.
Data updated - August 23, 2026      4WD Road driven - September 25, 2025      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2026