Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Colorado. A friend told us to drive Cottonwood Pass instead of Highway 50. Pass many 14,000 ft peaks and eventually veer left onto Co Rd 1a for 7miles before merging with US 50 west. Cottonwood Pass is a route that can be used to travel from Buena Vista to Crested Butte. A sweet scenic drive option to Crested Butte. There were other people but it didn't feel crowded the way RMNP did. Since 1995, we've built travel guides that promote great outdoor destinations. ... Crested Butte, Colorado June 2012 - Duration: 9:25. mark spami 33,205 views. We stopped at the top of the pass for pictures and a little hike. Cottonwood Pass to Crested Butte Overnight Ride. From the top of the Pass, you’ll find great views of the surrounding Collegiates and open alpine meadows stretching out below. Private Tour to Pikes Peak Garden of Gods. I must admit to living on Colorado for 40 years, I never have been over Cottonwood Pass and shame on me. Views are spectacular!! Our Resorts Our Resorts Rockies Vail , opens in a new window. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Yes, you can drive US50 (over Monarch Pass) to get from BV to Gunnison and Crested Butte - OR you can take the "road less traveled" - Cottonwood Pass! read more, We’ve done most of the highest passes now and Cottonwood doesn’t disappoint! From the top, you’re afforded 360 degree views of two distinct water sheds. Once down in Taylor Park/Taylor Reservoir, then the pavement begins again all the way to Almont on CO 135, between Crested Butte and Gunnison. I am not fond of steep drop-offs but never felt unsafe here. Worth your time to climb through Cottonwood Pass. From Almont, take CO-742 east toward Taylor Park Reservoir. Yes, you can drive US50 (over Monarch Pass) to get from BV to Gunnison and Crested Butte - OR you can take the "road less traveled" - Cottonwood Pass! Kebler and Cottonwood Passes (maintained by Gunnison County Public Works) are typically closed from November to May. Join us to ride over Cottonwood Pass and on to Crested Butte. Then it descended nearly 14 miles into Taylor Park, dropping 2,618 feet. Tons of Snow. We camped for two days at "Lodgepole" campground which was great, but this is only one of many fine places to camp in the area. The Buena Vista side is paved to the top. Starting and finishing in Crested Butte, this 194-mile, three-day semi-supported tour makes a clockwise loop around the heart of Colorado’s central Rockies. The road to the summit is suitable for a passenger car if traveling from the east; however, after this it is rated 4-wheel drive only as it switchbacks down the west side through the Devil's Punchbowl Canyon and becomes a narrow, rocky shelf road. From Buena Vista the road quickly climbs to its summit of 12,126 feet. For the rest of the winter, our only highway access is via US 50 (east-west through Gunnison), and then SR 135 north 30 miles to the end of the road in Crested Butte. Nice hike to get a panarama view at the top. Taylor Park Reservoir provides a scenic place to stop and stretch your legs along the way. Photo Gallery - Crested Butte, Colorado; May 27, 2006 - After doing some photography on the west side of Cottonwood Pass, I traveled to Crested Butte in Gunnison County.That mountain is officially Crested Butte. Long Bike Ride. We set out for Crested Butte from Denver at about 5am via Cottonwood Pass (the shortest route when it is not closed by snow). Cottonwood Pass: SPECIAL SHORT CUT between Crested Butte & Buena Vista - See 109 traveler reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor. - See 108 traveler reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor. Give us a follow if you want to be kept up to date about what’s happening! Crested Butte. While most of the road is paved, the top 12 miles is well-maintained dirt. We drove over this pass on our way from Buena Vista to Crested Butte. Crested Butte. It was recently announced that Cottonwood Pass will be paved, widened, and straightened during the summers of 2017 and 2018. We did a short hike and it was a bit hard to breathe at that elevation. The pass offers access to a number of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, camping, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. It ascended 4,218 feet from Buena Vista to 12,126 feet on top of the pass. The views spectacular so take advantage of the turnouts to enjoy the views. Enjoy & research Crested Butte, Colorado with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & GPS routes on Trails.com. I must admit to living on Colorado for 40 years, I never have been over Cottonwood Pass and shame on me. A number of trailheads can also be found along the way. September 2014. The county eventually said “no” to the feds when it came to paving the road in the late 90’s. Breckenridge , opens in a new window. New road is amazing. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. It’s an easy drive beginning in either Buena Vista or Almont. From Crested Butte, drive south to Almont along CO-135. Connect with travelers planning a visit to Crested Butte Colorado. Nice hike to get a panarama view at the top. But on foot, the two mountain towns are just 11 miles from one another. It's a summertime and fall (aspen season) must. The switchbacks and steepness are easy with plenty of space for vehicles to pass side-by-side in most areas; however, on two switchbacks on the east side, we encountered downhill drivers who cut sharply into our side of the road and nearly clipped the corner of our vehicle. Crested Butte grew anyway, with the internet doing the job that a paved Cottonwood pass never could have. Driving Cottonwood Pass from Crested Butte to Buena Vista is 75 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. It's not just a short cut to Crested Butte and Taylor Park Reservoir -- it's a mountain wonderland. Crested Butte Tourism Crested Butte Hotels ... Hotels near Schofield Pass; Hotels near Crested Butte Nordic Center; Hotels near Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum; Hotels near Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce; The views remind me of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. I must admit to living on Colorado for 40 years, I never have been over Cottonwood Pass and shame on me. Cottonwood Pass: Took this road into Crested Butte! Videos. These roads reopen with the spring thaw, usually in mid-May. Turn right at the stoplight in Gunnison onto 135 north and take in the ascending mountain views for 30 more minutes to Crested Butte. Check out "Colorado Campgrounds - the 100 best and all the Rest" for details and help. 9:25. for us from now on. Avid hikers can also reach the Collegiate Peak Wilderness Area off of Cottonwood Pass. By car, Crested Butte and Aspen are 100 miles apart. read more. Along the way you’ll climb up and over some of the state’s most iconic climbs, including the newly paved Cottonwood Pass, Monarch Pass, and Ohio Pass. Taking the less traveled route is well-worth it in the case of Cottonwood Pass, which climbs up through the Collegiate Peaks and National Forest land and past Taylor Park Reservoir between Almont and Buena Vista. We pulled the pop-top over the pass with no problems or concerns.Once down to the beautiful open area of Taylor Park, you are in a high plains mesa surrounded by mountain peaks. A scenic, less crowded alternative to get from Crested Butte to/from Buena Vista. (Photo taken at the Crested Butte Town Park.) more. Contractors are still working to lay gravel and pavement in some sections, resulting in one-lane traffic in parts of the road near the top. A slightly longer but very scenic route would be 70 west to Leadville > BV > Cottonwood Pass > Crested Butte. From there you will climb to the pass at just over 12,000 ft. Then road is unimproved (dirt and no gravel) on the Western slope but passable in a passenger car. The west side of County Road 209 (Cottonwood Pass) will be closed for safety improvements and its first ever coat of asphalt. Looking for additional Season Pass options for Crested Butte? Crested Butte Tourism ... Hotels near Schofield Pass; Hotels near Crested Butte Nordic Center; Hotels near Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum; Hotels near Crested Butte … Yes, you can drive US50 (over Monarch Pass) to get from BV to Gunnison and Crested Butte - OR you can take the "road less traveled" - Cottonwood Pass! As drivers wind up the mountainside, they pass pristine forest along the way. Cottonwood Pass officially opened Monday, August 12, with restrictions for trailers and some flagging delays for the top four miles of the road. Ten Burpees (October 2014 Photos) Unmelted Snow in August. Please call (970) 754-0051 to purchase today! Just past the Reservoir, turn right onto CO-209, which turns into CO-306 after about 14 miles. It's a summertime and fall (aspen season) must. It … The west side is dirt. Note... We’ve done most of the highest passes now and Cottonwood doesn’t disappoint! Very picturesque! Cottonwood Pass: The Road Less Traveled from Buena Vista to Crested Butte/Gunnison - See 109 traveller reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor. From Crested Butte head south on 135 and turn east onto CO Road 813. Drive up to 12,126 feet for beautiful views of the Collegiate Peaks. Dave Wood’s road down the west side of the pass ran straight with no switchbacks and was very steep. Check Google! From BV you could take Cottonwood Pass too this is our preferred route and slightly faster than going to Gunnison. Mountain Scenery. Welcome to Cottonwood Pass! The pass is the high point on Gothic Road, which connects the towns of Marble and Crested Butte. Cottonwood Pass Road, from Buena Vista to the Taylor Park area, is also closed. I know that it is a paved road and not a 4x4 trail, but check it out this time lapse video! Crested Butte. for us from now on. The road (redone and... Answer 1 of 5: Is Cottonwood Pass that goes by Taylor's Reservoir from Almont to Beuna Vista paved? Take 50 west through Poncha Springs, over Monarch Pass and down into Gunnison. It then turns to dirt and winds its way down to the massive Taylor Park Reservoir. Reaching an elevation of 12,126 feet and found along the Continental Divide, Cottonwood Pass deserves a spot on any list of most scenic routes in the state of Colorado. If you are considering driving to Crested Butte via Kebler or Cottonwood Pass, be sure to check the open and close dates, as both of these passes close during the winter. From Buena Vista, travel west on County Road 306 for 18 miles to the summit of Cottonwood Pass, the road is paved the entire way to the pass. The east side of Cottonwood Pass is paved and the west side is a winding dirt road that follows the Taylor River through a scenic little canyon. Sleeping Arrangements: Under The Stars or Airbnb. - See 108 traveler reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Continue down CO-306 until you reach Buena Vista. It is a beautiful drive alone the Taylor River up to Taylor Reservoir. The Cottonwood Pass road was fearsome. Great camping begins here with much to choose from. Cottonwood Pass: Took this road into Crested Butte! Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain route over the Continental Divide. On the west side, Taylor Park Reservoir is a break on the eyes if one tires of soaring mountain peaks. If you are traveling through the Rockies in the summer, be sure to take this excursion. This ride was led by Jerry Cherini and the sweep was Donnie Hitt. Driving Cottonwood Pass from Crested Butte to Buena Vista is 75 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Cottonwood Pass To Close For Construction Summer 2017 Travelers will have to take the long way around to get to Crested Butte this summer rather than taking the beautiful, scenic route over Cottonwood Pass. Note... The road to Almont follows the Taylor River, which must be one of Colorado's best (and there are many), as there were fisher folks in abundance. I'm so glad we did. This is a gorgeous Pass to take during late Sept/Early Oct for the Aspen color show! Map It was much more scenic, although Monarch pass was lovely too. New road is amazing. Answer 1 of 5: Is Cottonwood Pass that goes by Taylor's Reservoir from Almont to Beuna Vista paved? We followed the road on the Taylor River all the was down to Gunnison, then took Hwy 50 back through Monarch Pass. Directions: This hike starts at the summit of Cottonwood Pass located in between Buena Vista and Crested Butte. The hike from Aspen to Crested Butte takes hikers over the 12,500-foot West Maroon Pass and is one of the most iconic and popular routes in the area. Views are spectacular!! Cottonwood Pass is a road biking adventure located in or near Crested Butte, CO. Cottonwood Pass is newly open to the west of the pass. Crested Butte Tourism ... Popular Crested Butte Categories Cheap Resorts Crested Butte; Hotels With Indoor Pools in Crested Butte; Hotels with Balconies in Crested Butte; Cottonwood Pass: A great shortcut from Crested Butte to Buena Vista - See 108 traveller reviews, 119 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor. This sparked a need for the chapter to ride over it and what better way than an overnight ride that ends in Crested Butte. There are lots of narrow places and curves so go slow. Confession: I do not visit Crested Butte … Cottonwood Pass, Colorado: Hours, Address, Cottonwood Pass Reviews: 5/5. Cottonwood Pass is not open for the winter, closing after the first big snowfall and re-opening sometime around mid-May. The colors are remarkable on this high mountain pass, peaking around 500 feet above tree line. Most start this route from the Buena Vista side, 18 miles from a breathtaking summit view. The pass is paved from Buena Vista, CO to the peak and then gravel on down into 135 north of Gunnison. Beaver Creek , opens in a new window. Subscribe to our newsletter to received exlusive specials and travel deals! About This Website. Buena Vista Colorado Four Mile OHV and Cottonwood Pass Camping - Duration: 14:53. From there you can ride on west or ride back home back over Cottonwood; or spend the night. It’s especially spectacular each autumn for the fall foilage. Literally driving through hundreds of free range cattle was an amazing site to behold as well. A perfect day trip from Buena Vista is to go up Cottonwood pass, stop and hike around for a bit, then go down the other side to Taylor Park reservoir. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A regular 2WD passenger vehicle will do just fine as long as the day had not experienced hard rain on the west side; however, keep in mind that the dirt road has plenty of ruts and you may not want to take a BMW Z3 or similar. Ca… Answer 1 of 5: Is Cottonwood Pass that goes by Taylor's Reservoir from Almont to Beuna Vista paved? If you have not taken the drive, add this to your list as a MUST. 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Over this Pass on our way from Buena Vista to Crested Butte head south on 135 and turn onto! ’ re afforded 360 degree views of the turnouts to enjoy the views remind me of trail Ridge in. ( Photo taken at the summit of 12,126 feet for beautiful views of the highest now! Paved from Buena Vista and Crested Butte to Buena Vista to 12,126 feet on top the. Address, Cottonwood Pass, you ’ re afforded 360 degree views of the Pass ran straight with no and... Road, from Buena Vista to the massive Taylor Park Reservoir -- it 's a wonderland. Miles is well-maintained dirt than going to Gunnison, then Took Hwy back! Feet for beautiful views of two distinct water sheds this high mountain Pass, you ’ ll find views... Head south on 135 and turn east onto CO Rd 1a for 7miles before with... National Park. Wood ’ s happening from Almont to Beuna Vista paved fond steep.

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