Mosquito Pass Trail - Leadville, CO (Jurassic Park YJ)

Mosquito Pass Trail is a moderate trail between Leadville and Alma Colorado featuring a Jurassic Park Jeep Wrangler YJ, a Jeep Cherokee XJ, and a stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. We will reach an altitude of 13,185ft, visit North London Mine, observe Colorado Scenery, and finally review the trail. We follow Funtreks and show stock off-roading vehicles can do this trail. Zach also explains where his Cherokee Trailhawk has been all summer.
Affiliate Links (Products we use/recommend):
Filming Equipment:
GoPro Cameras: amzn.to/3bDbgyL
DJI Mavic Drone: amzn.to/2XzILtD
Main Camera: amzn.to/2LqKMWB
Wrangler Storage:
Side Window Bag: amzn.to/3ib7OwK
Trunk Bag: amzn.to/3bzrJUH
Overlanding:
My Solar Power Generator: amzn.to/39sTpIg
Sean’s Fridge: amzn.to/39sxYqx
My Stolen but Recommended Chair: amzn.to/2LOD2NK
Recovery:
My trusty Shovel: amzn.to/3nBF7tL
Drivers:
Zach: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (also owns a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk)
Rob: 1992 Jeep Wrangler YJ Jurassic Park Jeep
Dewie Jones: 2012 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon - 3.6L, Manual, STOCK
Channel Info:
My name is Dewie Jones and I’m the reluctant host, videographer, and video editor for the channel. I’ve daily driven a wrangler my entire driving life starting with a 1997 TJ and now I’m in a nine year old 2012 JK. I like the challenge of driving a stock wrangler on tough trails. My buds are not new to wheeling either, but for their own specific reasons, now wheel aggressive SUV based off-roaders like KL Cherokees, 4Runners, Land Cruisers, VW Touregs, and Renegades. We decided Colorado Mallcrawlers was a funny name so that's how we got here.
For trail planning, I use the Funtreks Books (amazon search: Funtreks books). I have the current editions of the Colorado books and Moab. I finish up my trail planning with trails offroad as they can sometimes have more detail as well as user submitted current conditions feedback. I’m testing GPS apps and currently don’t use one. Here’s my video that tells you how I do it. • Find off-road trails t...
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• Colorado Jeeping!
As always, thanks for watching!! Your feedback helps me, so let me know if you can help me improve these. Share them with your nervous wheeling buddies (the Facebook groups never let me... self promotion apparently) so they can know that they can do the trail. Subscribe for more trails and off-road content.

[@HugDeeznueces]

Sort of reminds of Hermit pass. Bumpy!

[@wldtrak]

Stellar job. You're literally the best 4X4 KZbin guide/reviewer on the internet.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you so much! That’s nice to hear!

[@johnnyverano1373]

I highly recommend your videos for all new Jeepers and anyone that wants to know more about Colorado Trails.👍

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

We appreciate that!

[@gregbiles7120]

We did this pass Sept 9th and it was GREAT! We got to Leadville around 10am and started from there. After watching your guide and talking to someone else that's done this, we decided to start on the Leadville side so we'd go up the switchbacks instead of down them and hopefully beat the SxS rentals emanating from Leadville. Traffic was super light so we didn't have to deal with passing someone on a shelf road. I think the switchback where you did the 3 wheeling is about the most difficult part. On the Alma side, right towards the end of the trail it gets super bumpy and I'd say that's the 2nd most difficult. I don't remember any puckering around the washed out and steep section you talk about before getting to the North London Mine.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Good info! Thanks!

[@bloodybillanderson9294]

Awesome vid made me homesick up here in washington state now and everyone loves the damn mud...gimme rocks big rocks to crawl over on the trail ... thank god for logging roads here😉

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I know what you mean, mud use to be my main option for off-roading and I still have a love/hate relationship with it! I want to get up there one day and log some trails!

[@bloodybillanderson9294]

@@coloradomallcrawlers its great here until you met a loaded log truck coming down the trails lol they dont back up very well 😉

[@mtbpirates]

Great job as always Sir!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you!

[@mattyg6898]

I can’t believe I made it through this entire trail in my CrossTrek yesterday by myself. Definitely pushed the limits. I should have watched your videos before attempting. Gonna try your other trails you recommend!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Glad you got through it! My how to find trails video might be useful. Thank for watching!

[@andrewinbody4301]

I loved and will always remember driving Mosquito Pass. I drove it in 1989 in a 1980 Toyota 4wd pickup. I was 19 yrs old.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Awesome! I hope you get a chance to do it again. Thanks for watching!

[@mr2gud2u]

Glad to see you back.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you!

[@brianmadison6623]

Shame about the break in. Your videos are so informative and helpful to someone new to the hobby like me. Keep the videos coming.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thanks! They will and hopefully they’ll get better! Thanks for watching!

[@johnnyverano1373]

I made up my mind. Next vacation I get I’m going to pick out 3 random trails on your videos and head to Colorado to conquer them. Since I don’t have lockers yet I think your trails will be perfect for me and my wife. They all have great views too. Thank you Dewie.✌️

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

That sounds like a great plan! Although I’m searching for a trail that I need lockers on. Maybe Blanca or Holy Cross although Holy Cross has gotten so dug out in recent years, I may not clear it anymore. Thanks for the support!

[@jamesnewport1686]

Great that you are in a stock Jeep. Too many trail reports are done with significantly modified Jeep - Thanks!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! Yeah, I enjoy a built Jeep myself, but it’s hard to judge the challenge when you’re on big rubber. Thanks for watching!

[@grantcarroll5696]

Just watched video. I appreciated it! I think I fit the demographic you are targeting. Thank you!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’m glad it was useful!

[@thekidcomn5938]

Excellent videos

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you!

[@shankarbalan3813]

Really solid videos. Detailed information. Am enjoying watching all these.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Great to hear! Hopefully you are seeing improvements in the newer ones!

[@natosharogers3609]

Videos are getting better and better!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thanks so much! Especially since I know you tell me how it really is!

[@eduardogomezaispuro3298]

Hi, I from Guadalajara México and your videos Is very recommended and interesting. Un México said vamos a jeepear

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’m glad you like them! Thanks for watching!

[@naturelvr123]

Back in the early 2000s we took our 1996 Land Rover Discovery over Mosquito Pass from & had no difficulty (except for a sliced tire). It was great. At the top we discovered several Chevy Suburbans/ etc with elderly ppl (some w/oxygen tanks) so we figured the Pass isn't so bad. And it is not that bad. I took a photo of going down to Leadville with my 4x5 camera. I think it is an "easy" trail. 😎

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Awesome! My ratings are usually in line with Funtreks and TrailsOffroad unless major changes have occurred when I wheeled it. If I rated trails based on what I thought, you’d see drastically different ratings… but I’m in a fully locked Jeep that takes all difficulty out of most Colorado trails.

[@coreybacon9325]

Great video. Did it from Alma to Leadville last July. Heading out to Ouray this summer for the 2nd time. Looking forward to more videos.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! I think we’ll go back and do it that way although it’ll just be an overland type of video as the trail guides will be Birdseye and another near alma. Thanks for watching! I’m excited to make more!

[@TheChris1299100]

I really want to head out there in Summer. The drive from Washington will take a while but your videos make it look worth the time.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

It is absolutely worth it! We have more from the area coming and it’s simply stunning there!

[@mahbriggs]

I have taken that trail twice, once in the mid 1980s in a stock Toyota 4x4 pickup, and the again 20 years later in a stock 1971 CJ 5 with a 304 engine. Both times I started at Alma and ended at Leadville. I makes those rough uphill spots you did a bit easier!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I think I’m getting better at filming, may redo this one in the future via that direction! Thanks for watching!

[@AdventureTomek]

Just completed the pass this Monday on my KLR650 Kawasaki, well worth the trip 😎 Great video

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@awhiteguy24]

I actually tried to do this trail yesterday. Definitely snowed out for the season but made it up to the London mine so that was cool.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Yeah I think I tried it around this time in 2019 and it was snowed in then too. Glad you got to the mine!

[@OXFOOT]

Awesome man, I hate that I never got to finish that back side of Mosquito. Can't wait to see how birdseye gulch with a camper goes. I wouldn't say it was crazy difficult but we were trying to pull some full size trucks through and had a pretty rough time.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thanks man! I’m so far behind on video watching, but I’ll definitely be watching your video to prepare and make sure I can do it. Looking forward to wheeling with you in 2021!

[@greenfaring2501]

Enjoyed seeing a stock YJ on the trail. Always like to check out stock or near stock rigs; once they are mutated you sort of lose reference points. I drive a JK Rubicon, with 33” muds and the only time I got stuck was because of ride height, beached it in mud tracks. To fix that, I need a lift and bigger shoes. And normally I don’t see any need for larger tires. Hmmm. Anyways, awesome videos.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Yeah I agree, rutted out mud tracks (especially in the east) benefit from lifts, but they’re really not needed on most trails (except buggy trails). Thanks for watching!

[@Springcreekadventures]

Great videos man! Very helpful

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! That’s the goal so I appreciate hearing that!

[@jdreaper2176]

I ran this trail on November 7th on snow and ice. It was Sketchy. Later that night it snowed alot. I doubt anybody ran it after that date. What a trail ! Cant wait to do it again. Love the videos !!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

That sounds fun, but definitely sketchy... thanks for watching!

[@jdreaper2176]

@@coloradomallcrawlers Keep up the outstanding work !! Love your channel !! ❤

[@TheSilverFiend]

Very nice video. I drove Mosquito in my YJ in 2019. Switchbacks were in worse shape as the road was only opened a few days prior. Still had huge snow field to drive and some others Jeeps got stuck. Great footage and nice editing work.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Sounds fun! Thanks for watching!

[@erichgessitz3587]

I did this the same year in my avalanche stock. Such a good time!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Awesome!

[@kimberlyfitts6141]

came for the jurassic park jeep stayed for the views

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

There’s definitely some good views on these trails and that is a sweet Jeep! Thanks for watching!

[@DeanJohnson67]

love the review and love the area! been there the last 7 years for LT100 though since the race was cancelled in 2020 I found I really enjoyed off roading on some of the easier passes like Hagerman, Halfmoon Creek and Mosquito! Will be back for year 8 in August and plan to do Birdseye so I am looking forward to your review on that as I plan to keep my JT Rubicon Stock for the Suspension and Wheel size at 33".

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Heck yeah! How do you like the JT? I’m leaning towards getting one to live in as I haven’t been home in like 5 months. Curious, do you need your lockers a lot? I’m thinking Willys and maybe getting a rear locker for when I’m in a bad situation (aka my own Willys wheeler edition which Jeep should still be making). Anyway, thanks for watching!

[@DeanJohnson67]

@@coloradomallcrawlers Love it so far.. just hit 14K mikes... I have never needed the lockers though I have used them just to understands their true value.. As mentioned the off-roading I do is more about overlanding as I have a RTT, though in 2021 I will be pulling a Winnebago Hike and using it as my "base camp" for extended stays while still using the RTT for the over nights away from the camper . I will be working remote as much as possible so the camper will become my mobile office

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@DeanJohnson67 good to know! I’m looking at a hard sided pop up truck camper for it. I priced out a rubicon and Willys today... still debating, but with my job’s uncertainty, might be going with the Willys. I like lockers as insurance on trail guides, but I rarely need them (however SWB vs LWB is a different kind of scenario). Thanks for the input!

[@bloodybillanderson9294]

I went over mosquito pass around 1988 i did it at night/early morning but in the dark and hit holy cross city trail by sunrise lol and i did it in a 1974 jeep wagoneer no problems on either trail 👍👍👍

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

That sounds fun!

[@bloodybillanderson9294]

It was great 👍 in the early 70s my dad towed a trailer over mosquito in a 66 chevy 2 wheel drive mom was not impressed 😆

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

🤣 I bet!

[@bloodybillanderson9294]

@@coloradomallcrawlers look for a book called jeep trails to colorado ghost towns i think the authors name was robert brown its very interesting it had current pictures and vintage pictures of when towns were booming very good directions in it 👍

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I believe I have it… but I’ll double check! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@olympusoverland]

Enjoy you channel! Jeep em coming

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! Will do! Next will be the winter camping adventure with the entire crew (and some editing practice for me) then I’ll do a trail guide on my long time favorite local trail as that’s the one that inspired me to make this channel. Thanks for watching!

[@bigviper64]

I just watched the “Morrison Trail” with the Wypming Jeepers, and THAT was a really tough trail..

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Oh really, sounds fun! We have some really tough trails coming up… well the toughest we’ve done in stock vehicles (Mount Blanca and Holy Cross).

[@BrettYoakum]

man I wish you were in Utah, I'd love to see some trail guides from a stock point of view.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I love Utah trails... I have some Moab ones published, some more filmed, and I’ll get a lot more done in the future. I’m staying stock. I’ve been living in Grand Junction since April, but will return home to Denver hopefully this week. However, I want to make the GJ move permanent and if so, I’ll venture further into Utah as well as Nevada and California. Thanks for watching!

[@Anthony_Adventures]

This yj is super sick man. Keep up the great work

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thanks buddy!

[@Anthony_Adventures]

@@coloradomallcrawlers of course buddy. Can’t wait to hit the trail with my XJ soon I just finished hopefully the last issue for awhile and will get it out on the trail soon. Hopefully I’ll be able to tag along on some of your trail runs this summer or sometime soon

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

@@Anthony_Adventures heck yeah! Nice work!

[@xziang]

Thanks for the vids. Appreciate it..

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Of course! Thanks for watching! I’ll try to crank more out soon!

[@USSVoyager5]

After i get a 1993 Ford Explorer and Building it into a Jurassic Park Explorer #4 id take it to the Mosquito Pass too with some other friends from a Jurassic Park Motorpool with Vehicles Wrangler YJ, 93 Explorer, 97 Mercedes Benz ML320, Mercedes Benz G Wagon.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

That’ll be awesome!

[@USSVoyager5]

@Colorado Mallcrawlers i think the 1993 Ford Explorer 4wd can make it up the Mosquito Pass too.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Well, that’s up to the skill of the driver. I believe I could get an Explorer with true 4WD up mosquito in the summer without any issues.

[@USSVoyager5]

​@@coloradomallcrawlersi think the 1993 Ford Explorer XLT 4wd Model can do well up Mosquito Pass.

[@davewhanger6722]

Sean told me about the assholes that broke into your Jeep sorry to hear that keep up the good work!

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Yeah, still a bit pissed they got into a secure garage and that my apartment complex is like whatever. Can’t wait to move!

[@robertwebb3841]

Another great video! Sorry to hear about the break in and all the stolen gear...

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! Yeah, it sucks, but that’s just how it is in Downtown Denver nowadays I guess. Thanks for watching!

[@akc121783]

Do Blanca Peak, 'Como road' :)

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I am, not sure who is joining tho.

[@kernerm]

How does Mosquito Pass compare to Hagerman Pass as far as the difficulty of the tougher sections?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

They’ve generally been pretty similarly rated, but I haven’t ran hangerman. We’re trying to get to it this summer, but my job’s schedule makes filming these tough. Last reports I’ve seen is that hangerman was getting rough. TrailsOffRoad might have updated info. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisandscottscoloradoadve4780]

We’ve never been to Leadville, but have always wanted to Jeep there. Some tough spots on the trail, but definitely looked fun.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

You’re jeep would have no issues on it! Some good trails in the area... wheeler is near Alma, but there’s also Mt bross too. Thanks for the support!

[@jasonwitt2942]

Love your Videos thank you for making them. Sold my Rubicon and purchased a side by side. Would you mind saying whether UTVs are allowed on some of these trails. Thanks again for the great videos.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I’ll try to look into it, but from what I understand, I think they’re allowed on most Colorado trails. However the speed limit is usually 10-15mph on most of our trails. So I’m not sure how much fun they’d be. Thanks for watching!

[@jasonwitt2942]

@@coloradomallcrawlers of course I actually live in Divide so I am used to the traffic and speeds on the trails you just give me the motivation to travel out of my back yard. Keep killing it out there and thank you for the reply.

[@cameronschuelke6698]

Hey I live in Leadville a better place if you wanted to camp would be half Moon Creek it's a great little public campground about 15 minutes West of Leadville but if you go beyond it there is a water crossing and a really cool mine alled championship Mill I think if you were looking for camping it would be a better trail to do so than bird's eye

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Thank you! That sounds like a better plan... Champion mill is on our list as we’ll be covering half moon for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@AdventureTomek]

What time of year was this?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Filmed on August 30, 2020.

[@thuggoe]

Can you include how much gas money you needed

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I appreciate the suggestion, but since gas prices fluctuate, this wouldn’t be useful. I could try to keep an eye on the gallons used, but this would only be useful to 2 door JL Rubicon owners or 2005 3.7L Jeep Liberty owners as those are my two vehicles. I’ll see if I can come up with something.

[@joshleal9811]

I really like the way you show the trails. But to be honest, if you have a rubicon use it. I know you want us to see what can and can't go, but that doesn't mean you can't not use your tools right. The point is drive smart not hard.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I get where you’re coming from, but most of these trails don’t require a rubicon’s lockers… especially this one. If you use your lockers when you don’t need them, you increasing the possibility of breaking it and this wrangler is a nine year old jeep that has had hardly any down time. It’s a daily driver off-roader for me. Thanks for watching!

[@dc_advntr5525]

I hit this alma to Leadville in the renegade a few summers ago. I’d like to do it Leadville to alma though.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I can’t wait to hit some more trails with you!

[@warchildwarhammer8837]

But i love the videos other than that

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

See my response below. Trust me, I want to go off, but it’s not that simple.

[@warchildwarhammer8837]

Bro. Some company burns your friend on the delivery date and youre like "thats between them" you should have his back

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I do have his back... Zach and I discussed how we would address this before published. Zach is a good dude, he’s not into controversy, and neither am I, but we knew the right thing was to say what happened and let you decide if you want to deal with them. However, maybe I’m wrong, so how could I help the issue without getting sued considering I’m not directly involved? I could have just omitted this segment, but didn’t, because Zach is my buddy. I can tell you my personal decision from what I’ve heard is that I probably won’t buy a KL because this company seems to be the only option for it. A Trailhawk was high on my list as it would complement my wrangler well. However, I personally don’t want to deal with MFC based on what I’ve heard from Zach and Sean. If we keep growing, then we’ll have a stronger leg to stand on with this. Ethics and doing the right thing is a big part of how we operate, but that also means being completely fair when discussing something like this.

[@S14AA]

id drop my tire pressures, free, and will make it alot nicer ride and better traction

[@bah5310]

I'm building a 5x8 utility trailer overland rig. Would it make it through that pass?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Yeah, I’d take my camper on this for sure... I meant to say, the dispersed camping is apparently limited. However, we’ll investigate that as well as the other mining structures next time we do it. Thanks for watching!

[@bah5310]

@@coloradomallcrawlers you've started a great channel please keep up the work. Any idea where to look for campgrounds also. Dispersed camping is fun but having a few essentials is nice.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Absolutely! Let me see if I can tag them @campgroundrecon. I may move into a full time rig as I spend more time away from my home every year and if I do, I’ll definitely use their guidance. Right now, I’m a full time dispersed camper or renting rooms from friends. here’s their page if the tag didn’t work kzbin.info

[@brandonmartin506]

What color is your jk?

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

It’s Dozer, a 2012 color that has issues and prevented a full production run. I think it was retooled into one of the new yellow orange colors on the JL. Dozer was originally on an Easter Jeep concept and its basically yellow in the sunlight, orange when overcast.

[@brandonmartin506]

@@coloradomallcrawlers thanks i was wanting to know cause I have a 2014 hard rock rubicon that looks similar it is called ampt it is kind of a burnt orange I like this color cause it is rare.

[@davewhanger6722]

Does anybody the ride with you have CJ's? Cj3a CJ5

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I wish! Almost purchased a CJ2A, but the owner backed out when he thought I’d wheel it 🙄. Thanks for watching!

[@dc-zw7cl]

You talk way too much…Less talk, more trail video…

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Ok man

[@jakethesnake1503]

Pp strong

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

Huh? 😂