While it is a fairly scenic pass, Trout Creek Pass does not get the geographical respect that other neighboring continental divide passes do such as Hoosier Pass, Fremont Pass, Independence Pass, Cottonwood Pass or Monarch Pass. See, Trout Creek Pass "merely" divides the two watersheds of the Arkansas River Valley (towards Arkansas) and the Platte River Valley (towards Nebraska), both on the eastern side of the Continental Divide.

Now here's a very interesting tidbit about Trout Creek Pass: From the Park County side on the east, if one bicycled to the Trout Creek Pass summit from Fairplay (alt. 9,900+ feet), one would actually travel approximately 500 feet downhill to reach the summit. How's that for trivia?! ;)

All of the scenery I photographed was on the western Chaffee County side, for that's where most of the interesting scenery is (in my opinion). Furthermore, most of the hills and slopes are on this particular side as and plus, this is Scenic Buena Vista dot com, you know. ;)

A few other Buena Vista pages: Whipple Trail, Buena Vista Traffic Light, County Road 328, Buffalo Peaks, Cottonwood Pass, Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.

	The pictorial begins in Johnson Village, where State Highways 285 and 24 share the road leading to Trout Creek Pass.
	If you're a photography buff, the Collegiate Peaks Overlook is a great place to take pictures of the Rocky Mountain scenery.
	A couple of shots at the overlook. Note the "controlled burn" at the base of Mt. Princeton in the above photo. Also, there are now some nice picnic tables and kiosks with information about the region.
	Heading uphill (eastbound), there are lots of desert-like buttes and hills on the south facing side.
	Ooooooooh! You'll approach a lovely field to the left and ...
	... Pow! You'll get a really nice view of the Buffalo Peaks! :)
	The Trout Creek Pass summit sign. ;)
	Now heading back down (westbound) towards Johnson Village, the Collegiate Peaks "stick their heads" out from time to time. In the evening, I have found this drive so inspiring! That's the summit of Mt. Yale (alt. 14,197) in the background.
	Yowsa! There are a few spots like this one where Mt. Princeton stands tall and proud as you head down into the valley.