Planning on pulling Cottonwood Pass Colorado

[mordecai81]

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. Fairly experienced mountain travelers with a good rig - F150 Ecoboost and 6500lb 25 ft TT. Any tips from those who have traveled this pass is appreciated.

[Heisenberg]

piece of cake

[Busskipper]

mordecai81 wrote:
Great vid, thanks! My wife is not gonna be pumped about the no guardrails!

Video is from 2016 it was paved in 2018-19 - https://www.outtherecolorado.com/cottonwood-pass-reopens-after-long-term-construction/ - used to be a washboard Gravel Road that would remove most if not all of your Fillings:)

While it is a good way to get to Crested Butte now, IMHO the best drives are still on the gravel roads that wander through the Collegiates - Just Beautiful!

Enjoy Colorado,

[mordecai81]

Great vid, thanks! My wife is not gonna be pumped about the no guardrails!

[Horsedoc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHvcEWJ8FNU

Here ya go

[mordecai81]

RAS43 wrote:

mordecai81 wrote:
Thanks. Paved is good! Looks like beautiful country on the satellite view. We may be boondocking north of the reservoir mid September. Will it be crowded with elk bow hunters?

Bow hunting season is for almost all of September, muzzle loading is for 9 days about in the middle.

Thanks. My wife and I fish and I never worry about bow hunters, but I try to be scarce during firearms seasons.

[ppine]

Thanks to Thunder Mtn.
Driving in CO is not for the faint of heart.
Most people have to get used to it.

[RAS43]

mordecai81 wrote:
Thanks. Paved is good! Looks like beautiful country on the satellite view. We may be boondocking north of the reservoir mid September. Will it be crowded with elk bow hunters?

Bow hunting season is for almost all of September, muzzle loading is for 9 days about in the middle.

[Lwiddis]

Cottonwood Pass is a terrific drive!

[roam1]

Mid September may get snow there and if so, may close Cottonwood pass. Monarch pass will be open.

[Busskipper]

Ozlander wrote:
While it will snow in Colorado in the spring, Colorado DOT knows snow and how to handle it. No matter the route, you may have to wait a day or two for them to clear the roads. US160 is a truck route and they keep it clear.

Cottonwood is on the Closure list and will usually be open late.

RT 160 is a little South of here and as a major Highway will be cleared and Open - not so much for Cottonwood Pass.

Use the CDOT webcams to see for sure as you travel the Roads of Colorado.

Best of Luck,

[Ozlander]

While it will snow in Colorado in the spring, Colorado DOT knows snow and how to handle it. No matter the route, you may have to wait a day or two for them to clear the roads. US160 is a truck route and they keep it clear.

[mordecai81]

Thanks. Paved is good! Looks like beautiful country on the satellite view. We may be boondocking north of the reservoir mid September. Will it be crowded with elk bow hunters?

[roam1]

Taylor Park is so beautiful, you may never want to leave!

[12th_Man_Fan]

Should not be a problem if your rig is up to it. It is now paved on both sides. The recently paved West slope is as smoothe as glass. A few sharp curves so keep it under control.