Project Description. About 10 years ago the east side was paved. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

They say this time of year there usually isn't still this much snow onThis is the 5th time over the years that I've ridden Cottonwood Pass, although the first time from the east side to the summit. Very spectacular! The east side of the pass, the Buena Vista side, is paved and the west side of the pass is still dirt until 2019. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as elk, black bears, and moose.
The entire byway Buy a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card to protect yourself. The improvements included widening, realignment, and paving the road. Boy were we surprised. ToI have been over Cottonwood at least a dozen times. While the west side is closed due to Gunnison County paving it, the east side has new pavement as well. Cottonwood Pass Summary . Dave Wood’s road down the west side of the pass ran straight with no switchbacks and was very steep. No more dirt, dust, and mud. If a CORSAR card holder becomes lost or injured in the backcountry, the Colorado SAR Fund pays eligible search and rescue expenses.The Local’s Adventure Guide to Singletrack & Tarmac – Mountain Bike Trails and Road Rides in the Upper Arkansas River ValleyBicycle riding is a physically strenuous activity with many risks and dangers. Inside the park, you’ll have the chance to take short hikes or simply relax.Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Roadwork on Cottonwood Pass consists of East Side and West Side projects. Ride at your own risk. Officers were stopping commercial vehicles and ordering them to turn around. The project also incorporated a minimum 7-foot clear zone and additional rock fall ditch capacity.

Guanella Pass runs north to south from Georgetown to Grant, Colorado. Cottonwood Pass Scenic Drive - its namesake is right on the Continental Divide - cuts from Buena Vista to Almont and offers a more visually pleasant alternative to driving US-50.

Cottonwood Pass West Side Vicinity Map. The closure at the top also really reducedThis is one of the less used passes in Colorado with paved roads leading up to and off the back side as well. This is a good turnaround spot if you want a shorter ride. Most of the east side of the Cottonwood Pass Road is San Isabel National Forest or the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area, so if you’re looking for a backwoods experience, … The pass through the Sawatch Mountain Range is normally closed seasonally due to heavy snowfall. Snow-capped peak on Cottonwood Pass. Discover the rugged scenery of the Colorado mountains as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes.
The Cottonwood Pass road was fearsome. Overview of Projects.

Funds from the CORSAR program go into the Colorado Search and Rescue (SAR) Fund. The first 5 miles are fairly flat.5.4            At the bottom of this small descent, pass Cottonwood Hot Springs on your right. Brand new, state of the art constructed highway, vista pull offs, rest rooms, and the panoramic views were simply beautiful. Wide enough that even meeting “big rig” campers etc, there was plenty of room and didn’t feel crowded at all! Small parking (always full).

Then it descended nearly 14 miles into Taylor Park, dropping 2,618 feet.

West Side Project. You will want a camera, and some water. Cottonwood Pass between Gypsum and the Cattle Creek area north of Carbondale remains closed to through traffic, and is only open to local passenger vehicles. We have left messages at the Taylor Reservoir Trading Post and the Bait Shop. Please choose a different date.Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Discover the rugged scenery of the Colorado mountains as you weave through small towns and travel over alpine passes. The road starts to climb after this, but rolls up and down a bit to get you going.7.9            Pass Rainbow Lake Resort on your left. Main St. Be prepared it could be a long walk out.