Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cottonwood Pass
ยป
Mileage: 60 miles
Why Go?
Passing through spectacular country, Cottonwood Pass Rd alternates between asphalt and
graded gravel (those sections are few and far between) as it winds its way for 60 miles to
the fly-fishing mecca of Almont from the quaint and, dare we say, damn cute prison town
(and paddler paradise) of Buena Vista.
For a fresh-air fix, it would be hard to beat this lesser-known nook of Colorado. The fly-
fishing is paradisiacal and the high-country trails are shared with mountain goat herds.
The Route
In Buena Vista, W Main St becomes Cottonwood Pass Rd. It swerves past beaver ponds
along Cottonwood Creek, and skirts Cottonwood Hot Springs in the San Isabel National
Forest. On the east side of the road is a turnoff to the Avalanche Trailhead, a spur of the
Colorado Trail with access to spectacular Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.
The road goes from moderately sinuous to downright jagged as you approach the edge of
the timberline. To the east the Collegiate Peaks fan out against the blue sky as you drive
through boulder-field moonscapes.
Bring a picnic and take a long lunch at the pass before dropping into the Gunnison Na-
tional Forest and down through the Taylor River Canyon to Almont, where the Taylor and
East Rivers form the mighty Gunnison. And if you've forgotten your rod and reel, check
into the Almont Resort, which is located on Co 135 at the headwaters of the Gunnison
River. They'll sort you out.
When to Go
The road is usually open from June to October.
