The road (T60 on google maps) connects to Highway 145 in Telluride just past the roundabout. Wildfire conditions in Colorado can change rapidly with closures at any time, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Last Dollar Road is roughly a 2 to 3-hour drive and only requires slight off-roading by 4x4 vehicles. While CO 13 is open at this time, it is not a recommended detour due to construction. The Castles, pictured above by Tom Kackley, is a unique rock formation with distinct, sharp towers. Travelers on I-70 can use CO 9 to US 285 south to US 50, or usus CO 91 southwest to US 24 to US 50. CDOT discourages travelers from using highways north of I-70 as a through route, due to construction zones (even if projects are paused during the closure). To get there, just navigate your GPS to Rye, and follow Highway 165 all the way to San Isabel. The pass summits at 10,007 feet, and despite the stretches of dirt/gravel, it's easy enough to drive for most vehicles. If you have extra time, book a ticket on the famous Georgetown Loop Railroad! CDOT recommends that travelers “know before you go” by checking COtrip.org before traveling. 19 talking about this. If you have the time, keep driving about ten minutes west of San Isabel and explore Bishop Castle! Use our interactive map above and scroll through the story below for more pictures and information on each location. To get to Ohio Pass, just turn south off of Kebler Pass onto CO 730 and follow it south. Contests & Promotions, © 2020, Pikes Peak Television, Inc. Colorado Springs, CO, USA, UK accuses Russian intelligence agency of hacking 2020 Olympics, Rapper Fetty Wap’s brother was shot and killed in New Jersey, Australia to join India, US, Japan in large naval exercises, Slap Me Some Skin (Covid friendly edition), Hundreds vote in person after Colorado Springs polls open Monday, Elementary school in Black Forest takes class outdoors. Take your time, and pay strict attention to the road. CDOT asks that motorists not use Cottonwood Pass, Hagerman Pass, or other county or forest service roads in Eagle and Garfield counties as a detour. Several scenes from John Wayne's "True Grit" were shot in this mountain pass, including the famous face down with Robert Duval. The best view is along the waterfront on the east side of the lake. Some of the road is paved, but there are large stretches where pavement turns to dirt or gravel. April 14, 2020 – Cottonwood Pass in Eagle County is now open for the summer season. Cottonwood Pass is the third highest paved road in Colorado with a 10% grade section. ... Cottonwood Pass between Buena Vista and Gunnison County – June 1 ... 2020. While CO 13 is open … Cottonwood Pass Colorado Drive east-west from Buena Vista 722927788 Almost the end of the opening season on this newly improved road, now the highest paved Continental Divide crossing in North America. Traffic and weather can have a significant impact on road conditions. The pass is filled with tons of aspen and cottonwood groves and will give you a nice mix of yellow, red, and orange fall colors. Princeton Hot Springs on an easily accessible road to most vehicles. As drivers wind up the mountainside, they pass pristine forest along the way. The parking lot is often very full, especially on weekends. Cottonwood Pass is a narrow, winding road with blind corners and a varied road surface that is not designed to accommodate heavy traffic. You'll see tons of yellow Aspen and Cottonwood trees as you follow the highway south through the hills. Owl Creek Pass is fairly accessible to all vehicle types, but as with most mountain passes around the San Juans, a higher profile 4x4 vehicle is recommended. ... Colorado Guide Cottonwood Pass to open amid ongoing construction project. I-70 through traffic: CDOT recommends a southern detour route, due to construction on commonly used northern alternate routes. The road is paved and not very steep. It's a great spot to fuel up and grab food before you continue your journey to Telluride or Ouray. More information about the Grizzly Creek Fire can be found here. Southern Colorado Drives - Mueller State Park. Campers and recreational vehicles are strongly advised to seek alternate southern routes. and 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Once a gold mine route to Breckenridge, Boreas Pass was turned from a railroad route into a mountain pass in 1952. Due to COVID and the Cameron Peak Fire, reservations are required to enter the park, and some campsites and trail systems are closed. Broncos will host 5,700 fans per game for rest of season. Through traffic, recreational vehicles and trailers remain prohibited on Cottonwood Pass. The pass climbs to 11,669 feet in 12 miles and is surrounded by aspen trees for most of the drive. Southern Colorado Drives - Gold Camp Road. Drive up and down the Buena Vista side for the best fall foliage pictures. The road actually has a little fame, as it was the shooting location for the opening and closing shots of John Wayne's film "True Grit". Roaring Fork Valley Regional Planning Commission. More information about the Pine Gulch Fire can be found here. You'll see lots of aspen trees as you drive through the Wet Mountains, with plenty more fall colors around San Isabel Lake. Most start this route from the Buena Vista side, 18 miles from a breathtaking summit view. The whole pass has amazing mountain views, but the best aspen colors are on the west side of the pass. Box 850 | Eagle, CO 81631 | 970-328-8600 | Contact Us. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. If your schedule in September was packed and you missed a lot of the peak fall colors, drive south and give Cucharas Pass a shot! If you have the time, we highly recommend making this and Boreas Pass a double feature, as you can follow Highway 285 down to Como and take Boreas Pass right into Breckenridge. One of the best short drives for fall colors from Colorado Springs is on Highway 67 from Divide to Cripple Creek! More information about the Williams Fork Fire can be found here. A really great weekend trip would be to take Independence Pass, which is just 20 minutes west of the lakes, all the way down into Aspen. Ohio Pass is known for having tons of aspen groves, and a unique rock feature called The Castles! Twin Lakes is home to a semi-ghost town and all the old, dilapidated buildings make unique framing for the surrounding fall colors. 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. Last Dollar Road is a legendary fall color destination near Telluride. The mountains you'll see in the distance are part of the Sawatch and Mosquito range. Our advice is to do your research before visiting the bells (what you need to know). Motorists should expect slow speeds, lengthy travel times and potential delays of up to two hours if traveling over Independence Pass. If you're going west near Ridgway and Telluride, you should take a drive over the Dallas Divide! If you're looking for a great spot to picnic, hike, and see fall colors, drive over to Mueller State Park! Share your photos with us!We would LOVE to see your photos and share them on-air and online! If you're driving out to Telluride, you might as well stop and see some fall colors at Ridgway! Eastbound travelers on US 50/285 may also use US 24, CO 91or CO 9 for destinations at or near Vail, Copper Mountain or Silverthorne. Please see alternate routes below. Crystal Mill is an old power station built back in 1893 located about 5.5 miles east of Marble. Ready for a long road trip? These roads are not built for heavy traffic or commercial oversize vehicles. High clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended, but the mill can also be reached by foot, mountain bike, or guided jeep tour. EASTBOUND I-70 : Motorists traveling from Grand Junction can use US 50 east to US 285 and continue to Denver. Due to COVID, reservations are required this year to see the bells by both shuttle and personal vehicles. Kenosha Pass is probably the closest mountain leaf-peeping getaway for anyone who lives in Denver. Once it opens, visitors should still expect up to 30-minute delays due to ongoing summer construction. Officials are asking motorists to refrain from using the pass for discretionary trips for the duration of the I-70 closure. Colorado wildfire destroys at least 26 homes. Learn more about Willis here. According to Dr. Dan West, entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service, stress from this year's drought will likely lead to most of the leaves changing a few days to maybe a week earlier than normal. Remote, rugged routes are not built for heavy traffic or for two-wheel drive vehicles. The pass is about 22 miles long, summits at 11,481 feet, and takes about an hour to drive. Please post them to the KOAA Facebook Page or email them to weather@koaa.com and mypics@koaa.com, Flickr - Sassi Italy Tours - Gold Camp Road. The road is very steep, rugged, and windy, but features several great views of Aspen and Cottonwood trees. Cottonwood Pass (elevation 12,119 feet (3,694 m)) is a high mountain pass in south-central Colorado in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States.It is located along the border of Gunnison and Chaffee counties in Colorado and is in the Sawatch Range.The area surrounding the pass is mostly forest, with the San Isabel National Forest to the east and the Gunnison National Forest to the west. Local construction and delivery truck traffic will be accommodated by reservation only between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 4 pm. Our advice would be to park at the Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center and simply explore the area, especially southwest of the visitor center. We recommend just exploring around the area. Boreas Pass is great if you're in the mood for a quick getaway to Breckenridge! and last updated 2020-09-22 08:20:51-04. The pass is a dirt road and a bit more rugged than Kebler Pass, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. No commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), camper trailers, recreational or similar vehicles are allowed. It's right at the base of Mount Elbert, the tallest mountain in Colorado. www.CottonwoodPass.net There is no estimated time of opening I-70 in Glenwood Canyon. Morning Forecast CDOT said drivers should take recommended detours and not rely on mapping apps that may take drivers on forest roads and over mountain passes. Now only about 43 old and tattered buildings remain. Severe Weather The Maroon Bells might be the top leaf-peeping spot in all of Colorado. With over 5,000 acres to explore, you'll see tons of yellow aspen trees, the west face of Pikes Peak, and hike-able scenic overlooks. St. Elmo is one of the best-preserved and easily accessible ghost towns in Colorado. To request a reservation, complete the form located at https://forms.gle/eNDyTd1QntqJ78Md6 or contact esf1.transportation@eaglecounty.us. You can also navigate your GPS to the Alder Creek Trailhead, which is on Last Dollar Road. Breaking News Here's a complete guide for great spots to see fall colors in Colorado. Cottonwood Pass, Colorado's highest paved mountain pass (12,126 feet at the summit), is located just west of Buena Vista.