Cottonwood Pass Road

Cottonwood Pass: A Winter Wonderland for Fat Bike Enthusiasts

Overview

Nestled in the heart of Buena Vista, Colorado, Cottonwood Pass is a haven for fat bike enthusiasts. Though it's marked as "fat bike only," the trail offers a transformational cycling experience across the seasons. When summer blankets the region, the eastern side of the pass turns into a paved road, drawing road cyclists like a magnet. Yet when winter descends, the narrative changes entirely.

Trail Essentials

• Distance: 7 miles (14-mile out-and-back)
• Level: Very Easy
• Route Type: Out & Back
• City: Buena Vista
• State: Colorado

Embracing Winter: From Paved Road to Groomed Snow

During the winter months, the road undergoes a metamorphosis. It's partially plowed up to a point 7 miles from the top of the pass, where a gate marks the end of winter maintenance for cars. But for snowmobilers and fat bikers, the trail is far from closed. The Buena Vista Snowmobile Club actively grooms and maintains the upper snow-covered portion, making it an ideal spot for fat biking.

Notable Features and Side Adventures

Riding to the peak of Cottonwood Pass, cyclists will encounter an elevation of nearly 12,200 feet. For those wishing to pedal through the heart of winter and experience the thrill of high-altitude biking, there's no place like Cottonwood Pass.

Detour Opportunities

• Ptarmigan Loop: An offshoot trail, marked as 346 on snowmobile maps, starts about 2 miles up from the Denny Creek Trailhead. This gentler climb of about 2.4 miles ends where it intersects with a loop. The trail offers exquisite pedaling conditions and is usually well-groomed.
• Denny Creek vs. Avalanche Trailhead: While the road is usually plowed up to the Denny Creek trailhead, starting from the lower Avalanche trailhead is also an option. However, it may present occasional challenges like scattered snow/ice chunks.

Recommendations and Trail Insights

• Current Grooming Info: Always check up-to-date grooming conditions. Websites like BV Area Snowmobile Trails are reliable sources.
• Views: The route provides awe-inspiring vistas featuring the 14ers and the Collegiate Peaks wilderness.
• Weather Conditions: The quality of your ride could hinge on snow conditions. Softer snow at higher elevations may force a turnaround.

Conclusion

For a very easy yet extraordinarily rewarding winter cycling adventure, Cottonwood Pass is the venue par excellence. It's more than just a fat bike trail; it's a seasonal cycling experience, reflecting the diverse beauty of Buena Vista, Colorado. With its groomed snowy paths and optional detours, the pass provides a unique opportunity to pedal high into the mountains, even in the dead of winter.