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Cottonwood Pass, Sawatch Range, Colorado
Photo: Roy Luck · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives Colorado Summit County, Vail, Aspen and the High Country

Cottonwood Pass

County Road 306, County Road 209, County Road 742 · Buena Vista → Almont

Sweeping56 mi1 hr 45 min4,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 12,100 ftOne way
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The drive

Cottonwood Pass is the county road over the Continental Divide from Buena Vista to Almont. It leaves US 24 as County Road 306, climbs west past the Denny Creek trailhead, and tops out above treeline at about 12,100 feet, where the air is colder and windier than in the valley. Just past the summit the road becomes County Road 209 and passes from Chaffee County into Gunnison County.

For most of its history this was a dirt road. The east side was paved to the summit in 1991 and the west side was paved in a project that ran from 2017 to 2019, so the whole drive is now asphalt. The curviest part is the stretch around the summit, where tight curves and hairpins call for a slow pace; the road is signed for about 35 mph most of the way.

Past the summit the road drops to Taylor Park Reservoir, then follows Taylor River Road (County Road 742) down Taylor Canyon to Almont, where the Gunnison valley begins.

Along the way

  1. Buena Vista
  2. Cottonwood Pass
  3. Taylor Park Reservoir
  4. Almont
Elevation
4,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 12,100 ft
Buena VistaAlmont
Curves
Mostly moderate, with one twisty stretch
Buena VistaAlmont
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The pass closes for the winter, usually in early November, and it normally reopens shortly before Memorial Day.
  • After the closure the road is not maintained past the gate near the Denny Creek trailhead, and only snowmobiles and snowcats may go beyond it.
  • Slow down for the switchbacks near the summit, and expect cold, windy weather at the top even on a warm day.

Closed by snow from about November to late May. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Gunnison County Alert Center.

Questions about this drive

Is Cottonwood Pass paved?

Yes. The east side from Buena Vista was paved to the summit in 1991, and the west side was paved between 2017 and 2019, so Cottonwood Pass is now paved all the way to Almont.

When does Cottonwood Pass close for winter?

Chaffee and Gunnison counties close Cottonwood Pass for the winter, usually in early November, and aim to reopen it before Memorial Day. Check the county announcement for the exact closing date.

How long does the Cottonwood Pass drive take?

Buena Vista to Almont over Cottonwood Pass is 56 miles and takes about 1 hr 45 min.

How high is Cottonwood Pass?

Cottonwood Pass crosses the Continental Divide at about 12,100 feet, above treeline. The drive climbs roughly 4,900 feet in all.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Cottonwood Pass, from Buena Vista to Almont