The all new cottonwood pass

[tamrock]

I've been going over this pass for more than 40 years now, but in the last 2 seasons it was closed for improvement and man o' man did they ever improve it. It's black top all the way from Almont to Buena Vista. I thought about all the vehicles I punished over this road when it had rocks to boulders and clouds of dust so thick by all the traffic it would cover up the leaves with thick dust and starve the aspens of sunlight. It's as smooth as driving on glass now. It was late afternoon when I headed over in behind a storm and I saw my first dust of snow on a mountain across from the Taylor reservoir. I saw a marmot who stopped to watch me do my business at a pull-off and a couple of fella's along the eastside who asked if I saw and bow hunters around, as it is bow season in areas west of I25. I told them I did, but they were way back in the San Juan's and it was funny as they asked if I saw any fella's that looked like you two.

 

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[Kray Gelder]

Nice photos! Really untouched country.

 

[3xflyfisher]

On the one hand this was long over due, on the other its a shame...

 

[tamrock]

On the one hand this was long over due, on the other its a shame...

I know what you mean. I lived in Buena Vista when they first started talking about the idea of paving the eastside. I remembered talking about it with a couple of fishing buddies and I thought it was a great idea, but one of the other fellas didn't think it was a great idea, being it bring more folks around. The more folks part happened anyways. In my opinion it was great improvement and the traffic moved better than I've ever seen up there before, plus all the banging, rattling and clouds of white dust is no longer an issue. I did see a sign prohibiting trailers and bicycles on the Taylor park side, so I don't know if that'll be a permanent thing or not? I've seen a total of 3 pull campers that had gone over the edge in my times of going over that pass. Still a lot of tight corners on that road.

 

[GB1]

my family took a trip to Colorado around May. Cotton wood pass was closed and so were many others we stayed around Bunea Vista

 

[tamrock]

my family took a trip to Colorado around May. Cotton wood pass was closed and so were many others we stayed around Bunea Vista

Cottonwood was closed about two years. I can see why with all the work that was done when construction permitted in good weather. Hopefully you'll get the opportunity again to come up.

 

[GB1]

i hope i do. I loved seeing all of the mountains while we were there it snowed on us one day

 

[civilman1]

Funny that most people hate "asphalt" when it comes to covering up some their hunting spots but this seems to be welcomed for sure. Beautiful bucks and Beautiful land. Thanks for the pics!
'

 

[Johnnybravo300]

I havent been up there yet, still taking monarch around.
My son went to a wedding at mt princeton hotsprings a few weeks ago and said it was a nice drive over cottonwood.

 

[tamrock]

I havent been up there yet, still taking monarch around.
My son went to a wedding at mt princeton hotsprings a few weeks ago and said it was a nice drive over cottonwood.

I headed over monarch on my trip over to Montrose. Definitely take yourself a little weekday drive over the improved cottonwood. I can imagine the weekend would a bit hectic. I've always found late afternoon is the best time to venture up there as there's not so much traffic, as you see during midday.

 

[Pick_axe]

I'll be at Mount Princeton Resort from the 29th of this month to October 2. I'll take lots of images.

This is a shot from 285 going in to Buena Vista.

 

[RGINN]

Glad you made it down there. You suppose they're gearing that up as a detour for I-70 when it shuts down in the winter?

 

[tamrock]

I'm not thinking cdot wouldn't advise that as an alternative, but I'll bet they'll be a few driving out there that'll think it's an option. You can't always trust those gps I've learned.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Thank you for sharing!

 

[GB1]

I'll be at Mount Princeton Resort from the 29th of this month to October 2. I'll take lots of images.
View attachment 1750614
This is a shot from 285 going in to Buena Vista.

i recognize those peaks we stayed at a campsite called Browns Creek at the base of the first mountain from the left

 

[A2coins]

That's just amazing traveling is a blast. Thanks for sharing that