Cottonwood Pass
We crossed this pass going from Crested Butte to Leadville, and, unlike a lot of the passes through the Colorado Rockies, it’s actually paved all the way. It’s over 12,000 feet (it could’ve been 12,500, I forget), so of course the view is amazing. There is a trail taking off from the parking lot that goes 1/4 of a mile to a viewpoint. I walked this trail, and the length of time it took was unbelievable. Nobody on a mountain bike passed me this time. Everyone else’s eyes were bugging out and chests were heaving just like mine. What would have been a few minutes’ romp at 4,000 or 5,000 feet was a major hike at 12 or 12.5. It was worth it, though. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, but I would put on my boots and braces next time. I figured that would be a waste of effort for 1/4 of a mile, but I was wrong about that.
Tarn up near the pass