Starting from Taylor Park Reservoir, the Cottonwood Pass ascent is 24.31 km long. Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer, Plan Your Drive | Seasonal Mountain Passes Closures in Colorado. Leftovers of snow (in July) creates additional beauty. An alternate route is to go over Monarch Pass to Gunnison, or visit our Directions page for more options. At the pass itself (12,119??? Ca… It can and does snow year round. Taylor Park is located about 235 miles, or 4.5 hours, Southwest of Denver in the Rocky Mountains. Trails range from wide and smooth dirt roads to narrow rugged single track with chunk rock. The Taylor Park area is bountiful with available activities for you and your family. It was a very clear and warm day. Please choose a different date. Any tips from those who have traveled this pass is appreciated. The locals have a more relaxed attitude than in the cities on the Front Range. Cottonwood Pass is one of the quickest ways to access Taylor Park from outside the Gunnison Valley. The idea for the Cottonwood Pass road began in 1955 when the Forest Service needed a way to get timber out. Get swept away through a combination of lasers, guided meditation, and accompanying music. An old stagecoach stop between Tin Cup and Buena Vista. This central location offers enough riding even for the most die hard off-roader. This large partially man-made lake sits west of Cottonwood Pass and the Continental Divide. Watch speed on switchbacks. … Then I turned right (north) which immediately became a dirt road - that road is known as "Taylor River Road" and signage officially marks it as N.F. Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Would you recommend this place or activity to a friend looking for an, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Highway 306/209 Between Crested Butte and Bueno Vista, CO, New road is amazing. Whereas normally I'd be calling this route by some name, such as "CO 38," that doesn't work along here. Heading west out of Buena Vista toward Cottonwood Pass, you'll be more or less on Chaffee Country Road 321. It’s especially spectacular each autumn for the fall foilage. The Taylor Park Dam was built in 1937 to dam the Taylor River. Nice opportunity for short hike with great views including view of small pond below. Continue all the way to Taylor Reservoir for to relax at a gorgeous (and huge!) If you are considering a trip to Colorado this is where you want to be. 742 ("National Forest Road 742"). It is traditionally open from Memorial Day to November 1 and is one of the most beautiful and spectacular passes in the United States. The road is, brand new, finished not long time ago. Cottonwood Pass is one of the quickest ways to access Taylor Park from outside the Gunnison Valley. Cottonwood Pass - Buena Vista / Tailor Park area Last Update: 10/24/1997 - Jens Moller. The Taylor Park area is bountiful with available activities for you and your family. From rafting to fishing to boating, it’s all top notch here. RomanP, Cottonwood...Competes...w/ Independence Pass, Having driven Trail Ridge Road and Independence Pass (yesterday for 4 th time) I was anticipating a subpar experience. Immerse yourself in a world of illumination during a 1-hour light show in Denver. Great Views from Cottonwood Pass CO Very accessible, easy drive (paved) west of Buena Vista CO. Driving Directions . The climb is ranked number 173 in United States and number 2467 in the world. Reservoir from afar, then in person is such a treat. How to get there: From Cottonwood Pass, I traveled west on Gunnison County Road 209 to Taylor Park Reservoir. Central Federal Lands Highway Division Director Renee Sigel made early remarks during the grand opening celebration of Cottonwood Pass on Sept. … Entering the San Isabel National Forest near Buena Vista. Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain route over the Continental Divide. It should be back open no later than Summer 2019. Fairly experienced mountain travelers with a good rig - F150 Ecoboost and 6500lb 25 ft TT. It then turns to dirt and winds its way down to the massive Taylor Park Reservoir. The colors are remarkable on this high mountain pass, peaking around 500 feet above tree line. Lots of traffic up there for, Very beautiful place surrounded by the mountains of the Continental Divide. Terrific views, East and west. Photo: WaterArchives.org Over this distance, you climb 804 heightmeters. New road at summit. The dam and reservoir, located about 35 miles northeast of Gunnison, are part of the Uncompahgre Project in Colorado. From Cumberland Pass to Tincup, to Taylor Pass to Aspen and the trails and roads stretching between Chaffee County east and Gunnison County west, the options and views are endless. It was a very clear and warm day. This pass is over 12k. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Colorado. Cottonwood Pass is not open for the winter, closing after the first big snowfall and re-opening sometime around mid-May. … From Crested Butte, drive south to Almont along CO-135. Sandra from Valley RV Park called and the price was less than half of the nearby parks. Last Known Status: Open: This part of the Gunnison National Forest offers a wide variety of loops surrounding Taylor Park Reservoir. Gunnison National Forest, Gunnison Ranger District, Tincup, Rocky Mountains, Sawatch Range, Cottonwood Pass. Pass is at 12,126 ft, easy trails to Mtn tops at 13,000ft plus, if you wish. If … The road up from Buena Vista to the summit of Cottonwood Pass is fully paved. The road up from Buena Vista to the summit of Cottonwood Pass is fully paved. It is a confluence point for various Rocky Mountain streams. 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. Any one drove this with a large RV? Last Known Status: Open: This part of the Gunnison National Forest offers a wide variety of loops surrounding Taylor Park Reservoir. The Taylor Park Trading Post is located 34 miles northeast of Gunnison, Colorado. Trails range from wide and smooth dirt roads to narrow rugged single track with chunk rock. Watch speed if descending the west face, it's dirt. LOTUS CREEK: South of Taylor Park Reservoir and accessible from Road 742, Lotus Creek snowmobile trail makes a loop back to Road 742 and travels along the side of Cross Mountain. The Cottonwood Pass via Taylor Park Reservoir is ranked number 17 of the Rocky Mountains. Soaking in a Taylor Park sunset The most used and easiest of these mountain passes is Cottonwood Pass from Buena Vista. Taylor Park has long been known by anglers and off-roading enthusiasts. Gunnison National Forest, Gunnison Ranger District, Tincup, Rocky Mountains, Sawatch Range, Cottonwood Pass. The road (redone and paved in 2017) is in perfect shape! It is a confluence point for various Rocky Mountain streams. If you are traveling from Denver or Buena Vista to visit Taylor Park, please remember Cottonwood Pass re-opened August 12, 2019. Paved section is Chaffee County Road 306. The Taylor Park Reservoir is a body of water created by the 1937 Taylor Park Dam, which dams the Taylor River of Colorado, United States. From Almont, take CO-742 east toward Taylor Park Reservoir. The dam and reservoir, located about 35 miles northeast of Gunnison, are part of the Uncompahgre Project in Colorado. I love this place. The road down to Taylor Park Reservoir is a graded dirt road. Very accessible, easy drive (paved) west of Buena Vista CO. It’s an easy drive beginning in either Buena Vista or Almont. Views are spectacular!! COTTONWOOD PASS IS OPEN! Bring food and water. We were in. Brand new, state of the art constructed highway, vista pull offs, rest rooms, and the panoramic views were simply beautiful. Nice hike to get a panarama view at the top. From the top, you’re afforded 360 degree views of two distinct water sheds. Typical primitive campsite along the pass. It is located along the border of Gunnison and Chaffee counties in Colorado and is in the Sawatch Range. If … Highway turns to a dirt road at the top heading west. Small parking (always full). Today, Cottonwood Pass is unique. Roughly between Taylor Park and Buena Vista. The Taylor Park Trading Post is located 34 miles northeast of Gunnison, Colorado. Taylor Park Reservoir. Terrific views, East and west. The following tables list some important mountain passes in the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. state of Colorado ... Cottonwood Pass: 12,126 feet 3,696 m Asphalt Chaffee CR 306 Gunnison CR 209 Independence Pass: 12,095 feet 3,687 m 6.0% Asphalt Cumberland Pass: 12,015 feet 3,662 m Gravel Loveland Pass: 11,992 feet 3,655 m 6.0% Asphalt Iceberg Pass: 11,827 feet 3,605 m: Asphalt Fall River Pass … https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/cottonwood-pass We are glad to be in the mountains with very few cases of Covid here. Thanks Water sports are the main draw in Taylor Canyon. Offered hourly seven days a week, the vibrant experience is easy to fit into any schedule and perfect for all ages. But now more people are discovering the place thanks to Cottonwood Pass being fully paved and open for a This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The pass is newly paved from Buena Vista to Taylor Reservoir, this is a bucket list trip.Cottonwood Pass was closed for two and one half years to complete the paving project. Planning a September 2020 trip around Colorado and looking for insight on towing our TT west to east over Cottonwood Pass between Taylor Park Reservoir and Buena Vista. From Buena Vista the road quickly climbs to its summit of 12,126 feet. Cottonwood Pass Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain pass in south-central Colorado in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States. Bring cold and wet weather gear with you. 24 and Main Street. This large partially man-made lake sits west of Cottonwood Pass and the Continental Divide. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. 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