San Francisco Pass (Las Animas County, east) - Colorado - 8,420 feet
(other name - Sugarite)
San Francisco Creek to north. Chicorica Creek in New Mexico to south.

County Road 85.5 southeast of Trinidad and east of Raton Pass.
unpaved - dirt bike or dual sport

According to Helmuth's, there is no access to this San Francisco Pass.

Information from Karst (10/2011) and Curtis (11/2011)
The Colorado rancher who lives north of the summit verified the road from there is a county road. Signs along the way state, "please limit hours on the road to 10 AM to 2 PM". The road is a bit steep and rocky for a lone rider on BMW 1150GS with Tourances but was passable with a Honda Transalp.
The road on the south side of the summit goes through the Sugarite Canyon Ranch, is unmaintained and rarely traveled, but easier to ride. Since it passes right by the ranch house and comes to the ranch entrance's closed gate, travel from the south would probably require permission from the owner. South of the entrance is a New Mexico county road.

It probably would be best to approach the summit of the pass only from the north, and to return back to the north.

photos by Curtis K., 9/2009