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Cottonwood Pass Opens For 2011
Yesterday afternoon I learned Cottonwood Pass opened for vehicular traffic, and this morning I went
for a scenic drive to the top. I knew there would be tons of wonderful snow when I passed these large
snow banks with miles to go. :) |
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Traveling upward. More snow.
When Cottonwood Pass is open (roughly during the summer months),
this route is a short cut from Buena Vista to Taylor Park Reservoir,
Tincup,
Crested Butte and other points in Gunnison County. |
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Above timberline. Look at all that snow! |
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I turned around and parked my car along this massive snow bank.
Friends, I have spent so much time at Cottonwood Pass in the past eight years,
and this is the most snow I have ever seen along the road for early June. |
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It feels surreal with vertical walls of snow on each side. |
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Cottonwood Pass - Elevation 12,126 Feet
I would like to dedicate this snowy mountain photo gallery to my many friends in hot weather states like
Texas, Arkansas,
Mississippi,
Florida and
Arizona. :) |
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TOP:
The grand view on the Gunnison County side of the divide. Ice Mountain, one of the "Three Apostles,"
are the loftiest peaks on the right.
SECOND: Look at that snowy mountain wonderland! This is the Chaffee County (east) side of the pass.
Jones Mountain, a 13er on the right, is a mountain I climbed two years ago. |
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Large bulldozers plowed the snow and created huge snow castles! :D |
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The
Continental Divide Trail is still covered up.
Having snowshoes is a good idea for this time of year. |
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Coming back down the pass.
Some of my other pages from this region:
Mt. Kreutzer
Turner Peak
Ptarmigan Lake
Hartenstein Lake
Unnamed 12,792' Peak
Sunset
Fall Colors
2010 Snow
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Below timberline. Pretty mountain scenery!
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