Cottonwood Pass  
Maps/GPS:                    
USGS 7.5' Map: Hot Sulphur Springs, Granby
Statistics:
Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time:
Graded CR 55 9.73 8,904 ft. NA 1 hour
County: Grand
Adopted by:      
Managed by: Grand County 308 Byers Avenue, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451 970-725-3347
Summary: Cottonwood Pass is a graded road between Hot Sulphur Springs and Hwy 30 south of Granby.
Attractions: Historic
Seasonal
Closure:
Natural - Closed by heavy snow.
Best Time: June - Best
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Best
Trail Heads
Accessed:
 
Camping: There are no dispersed sites along the road.
Base Camp: This would be a good area to base camp and explore the other 4WD roads south of Granby.
Fall Colors: Average - Some aspen at the top of the pass.
Navigation: West end start
From Hot Sulphur Springs, CO head east on US-40 E/Byers Ave toward Hemlock Street and continue to follow US-40 E for 0.2 miles. Turn right toward Byers Ave and go 79 feet. Turn left onto Byers Ave and go 0.5 miles. Continue onto CR 55, the Cottonwood Pass road.

East end start
From Granby, CO head east on US-40 E/E Agate Ave toward S 3rd Street. Continue to follow US-40 E for 4.3 miles. Turn right onto CR 55, the Cottonwood Pass road.
History: In 1861 Edward Burthoud and Redwood Fisher surveyed, and established Cottonwood Pass as a route from the east to Hot Sulphur Springs and the Kremmling area. The Berthoud Pass Wagon Road opened in November 1874 and stagecoach services ran over Cottonwood Pass, which was a toll road, until 1905 when the railroad reached Hot Sulphur Springs. Charlie Purcell drove the last stagecoach eastbound over the pass.
Description:
Starting from the east end you will head up through pastures, with Ninemile Creek on the left, toward Blue Ridge. The road will turn a bit northeast and then cross Eightmile Creek and follow a branch of Eightmile Creek up toward the pass. You will continue through open meadows until you reach the top of the pass. Here you will cross a cattle guard and then a short distance further there will be a sign on the right side of the road that gives a bit of history on the pass.
Sign at the top of the pass

photo by:
Adam M

On the left side of the road is the Big Meadows, FR253, road. Continue down the graded road toward Hot Sulphur Springs. You will head through some aspens at the top of the pass.
Near the top of the pass

photo by:
Adam M

As you head down the valley of Gardiner Creek you will pass homes and ranches along the road. After crossing Gardiner Creek you will continue down the wide valley passing more homes until you reach the east side of Hot Sulphur Springs.

Data updated - November 26, 2022     4WD Road driven - September 4, 2022     Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2022