Cell Phone Coverage by Carrier

imported
#1

Looking for info on the availability of cell phone service at each of these road crossings. Please identify the carrier if reception was obtained. I’ll be trying to reach my resupply driver.

1 - Marshall Pass (US 50)

2 - North Pass (CO 114) and Lujan Pass

3 - San Luis Pass (no road)

4 - Spring Creek Pass (CO 149)

5 - Molas Pass (US 550)

Thanks.

Wandering Bob

#2

I’ll inquire with my hiking group … we’ve been through all these locations within the last couple of years. They are all pretty desolate with the exception of Molas Pass. You could probably walk into the Molas Lake campground and use their landline … or have a care package shipped there. Cell service will be sketchy for sure.

bullet

#3

Lujan Pass has reliable Verizon service at a boulder we call “the stone of the immaculate reception”. Once you exit the woods and turn right on the gravel road walk about 50 yards past boulders on your left. One of them has a large V on the bottom of it made with fist-sized rocks pointing southeast. If you stand on this boulder and face southeast you will always get good Verizon service out of Ute Pass. Really!

apple

#4

In 2011, I specifically stopped at San Luis Pass to send a text using my Verizon-based TracFone, but didn’t get any service. I was actually a little surprised because IIRC, it’s about 12,000 feet altitude and there’s very little that obstructs your line of sight.

After Spring Creek Pass, you walk 4 or 5 miles, cross a mesa and arrive at “Antenna Hill” which I thought would have cell service too, but again no dice (must be TV antennae?).

I don’t remember the other three passes that you listed, but certainly cell service was spotty in the south. In the north, it’s a bit better as you occasionally will see the cell towers when you’re side-mountain hiking.

Loup

#5

Apple - do you need to stand on your right foot or left foot to get that reception? :wink: I do recall getting good AT&T reception at Baldy Lake (~10 miles before the end of Segment 17) of all places. We’re trail adopters and have been there for the past four years; we always plan on calling home from around the campfire.

Bullet

#6

There is good cell reception at several of the high points between Razor Creek and the descent into Lujan Pass on Verizon. Maybe someone can keep a log of cell reception along their thru hike. They will live in infamy.

apple

#7

In another thread regarding a possible daily shuttle service to and from Lake City, BEN said that there is no cell service at Spring Creek Pass.

wandering bob

#8

I was at Molas Pass last year and my Verizon coverage was great, very clear. I agree that at Spring Creek pass there is no coverage. Not sure of the other places.

Randy