Where is Cottonwood Pass?
Usa, north-america
51.01 km
3,696 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Cottonwood Pass in Colorado! This high-altitude beauty straddles Chaffee and Gunnison counties in central Colorado. We're talking serious elevation here – a whopping 12,126 feet! It's one of the highest paved roads you'll find in the state.
The backstory? The Forest Service needed a timber route back in '55, and voila, a dirt road was born by '58. Fast forward to 2019, and now it's all smooth asphalt, baby!
The 31.7-mile stretch is a shortcut from Buena Vista to County Road 742, near Taylor Park Reservoir. You'll cruise east on Chaffee County Road 306, which magically morphs into Gunnison County Road 209 near the top as you head west.
Expect some seriously tight switchbacks near the summit. We're talking a 15 mph speed limit! The road gets steep in sections (up to a 10% gradient), so if you're towing an RV or piloting a massive motorhome, be prepared for a bit of a challenge.
Open seasonally (usually from May to October), this route gifts you with panoramic views of the Sawatch Range in your standard car. Just a heads-up: mountain weather can be unpredictable, so aim for an early visit to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Altitude sickness and hypothermia are real concerns, so respect the mountains! Snow at the summit is a strong possibility year-round.
Keep an eye out for mudslides during heavy rains, just in case! Budget about an hour for the drive. The fall colors are epic. The parking area at the top offers insane views. And on the way down, don't miss the overlooks. Trust me, this drive is worth every second!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 51.01 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,696 m
- Difficulty
- easy
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