U.S. 285 North - Fairplay to Morrison

U.S. 285 passes by a few gas stations before leaving the town of Fairplay, which is perhaps best known for being the model for the long running TV show, South Park. Pictured here is the confirming marker posted after SH 9.

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Leading away from Fairplay, U.S. 285 progresses toward Red Hill. Little Baldy Mountain rises to the north.

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Reassurance marker posted within the vicinity of Red Hill Pass (el. 9,983 feet). The highway turns east from Red Hill toward Reinecker Ridge.

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Park County Road 7 leads north from SH 9 along Trout Creek and Red Hill to connect with U.S. 285 by Reinecker Ridge.

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Northbound U.S. 285 at Park County Route 33, the turnoff for Como. CR 33 passes through the community of Como, then heads northwest over Boreas Pass (el. 11,482 feet) toward Breckenridge.

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Two miles northeast from Como, U.S. 285 meets Park County Route 77 in Jefferson. CR 7 leads southeast toward Tarryhall Reservoir and Indian Gulch.

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The heights of Mount Blaine (el. 12,306 feet) and Twin Cones Peaks (el. 12,319 feet for the north peak and 12,323 feet for the south peak) were obscured by a snow squall. U.S. 285 ascends to an elevation of 10,100 feet over Kenosha Pass, making that mountain pass susceptible to winter weather as well.

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Park County Route 56 stems east from U.S. 285 just beyond milepost 200 to follow the foothills of the Kenosha Mountains en route to the Lost Creek Wilderness in Pike National Forest.

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U.S. 285 ascends across Kenosha Pass (el. 10,001 feet) and encircles the Platte River Mountains northeast toward Webster.

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Continuing toward the settlement of Webster along U.S. 285 north through Kenosha Gulch.

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CR 62 (Guanella Pass Road) intersects U.S. 285 at Grant. The county road heads north to Guanella Pass (el. 11,669 feet), passes into Summit County, and reaches U.S. 6 and Interstate 70 at Exit 228 in Georgetown.

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Advancing east, U.S. 285 accompanies the North Fork of the Platte River through Santa Maria and Shawnee, where County Route 64 branches south. A third passing lane appears along this stretch.

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U.S. 285 shifts to the north side of the South Platte River North Fork after CR 64 and to Glenisle. Bailey lies three miles ahead.

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CR 43 and CR 72 formerly met U.S. 285 at a signalized intersection. A modified diamond interchange was constructed with CR 72 south and CR 43 north by 2012.

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U.S. 285 crosses Deer Creek ahead an S-curve east by Roland Gulch and Lone Rock.

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Heading northeast around Lone Rock, U.S. 285 straightens one briefly ahead of milepost 228.

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Entering Pine Junction along U.S. 285 northbound The rural community lies along the Park and Jefferson County line.

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0.15 miles after the county line, U.S. 285 meets CR 126 (Pine Valley Road) south to Pine. Jefferson County uses a unique marker featuring the geographical outline of the county. San Juan, County Utah uses a similar type shield.

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Welcome to Jefferson County sign posted east of County Road 126 (Pine Valley Road) on U.S. 285 north.

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U.S. 285 makes a series of S-curves east from Pine Junction to Shaffers Crossing. A parclo interchange with CR 83 (Elk Creek Road) lies ahead.

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Reassurance marker posted for U.S. 285 north after Kings Valley Drive.

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Expansion to four lanes took place in 2007-08 along this stretch of U.S. 285 north through Green Valley.

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U.S. 285 curves north ahead of County Road 97 (Foxton Road) west from Kennedy Gulch.

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U.S. 285 expands into a four lane expressway through the unincorporated community of Conifer.

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Northward through Conifer and Aspen Park, U.S. 285 has grade separations and right in right out (RIRO) connections in place of intersections with cross traffic. The Aspen Drive turnoff here links northbound with parallel Main Street.

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The ensuing RIRO on U.S. 285 north is located at Houston Street south.

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RIRO intersections joins U.S. 285 with Meyers Parkway to the south and parallel Conifer Road. Conifer Road serves an array of businesses on the north side.

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Turkey Creek Road branches south from U.S. 285 at another set of RIRO intersections. Turkey Creek Road, the 1940s alignment of U.S. 285 and SH 8, winds east and north through Turkey Creek Canyon to Tinytown.

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U.S. 285 continues 11 miles from the grade separation with S Turkey Creek road to Morrison and 29 miles to Denver.

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U.S. 285 drops from around 8,000 feet above sea level at Hillview Road to 6,200 feet over the course of ten miles to SH 8.

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U.S. 285 weaves around Doublehead Mountain along a 7% grade.

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Lowering through Iowa Gulch, U.S. 285 next meets North Turkey Creek Road at a folded diamond interchange.

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N Turkey Creek Road passes under U.S. 285 ahead of the RIRO ramps. Tinytown lies just to the east along S Turkey Creek Road.

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U.S. 285 continues past Lindberg Road to the Twin Forks Park-n-Ride lot.

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U.S. 285 converges with the north end of S Turkey Creek Road (old U.S. 285) at an at-grade intersection north of milepost 245.

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Truckers are advised to remain in lower gear as U.S. 285 turns east through Turkey Creek Canyon. The highway upgrades to a freeway in 2.7 miles.

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An overpass carries an entrance ramp from Parmalee Gulch Road onto U.S. 285 north at Indian Hills.

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A left turn connects U.S. 285 north with Parmalee Gulch Road into the Indian Hills community.

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Traversing Turkey Creek Canyon along U.S. 285 between Mount Lido and Mount Falcon.

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