2013 Map of Buffalo Pass

About this map

Buffalo Pass serves as a critical high-altitude crossing of the Park Range in this section of the Routt National Forest, marking the boundary between Jackson and Routt counties. The landscape is defined by the Continental Divide, where alpine waters flow toward either the Yampa or North Platte basins. A dense network of glacial lakes, including Summit Lake, Lake Albert, and Lake Dinosaur, dot the high-country basins surrounding Soda Mountain and Buffalo Mountain. Recreation and trail infrastructure are prominent, with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Newcomb Creek Trail providing access to remote areas like Horse Thief Park. The presence of the Summit Lake Campground near the pass highlights the area's role as a destination for outdoor transit and exploration in the early twenty-first century.