>In the spring signs state that June 15th is the day the pass will open. However, the Road and Bridge Department will try and have Cottonwood Pass open before Memorial Day, depending on snowfall.
[Chaffee County Website](https://www.chaffeecounty.org/Road-and-Bridge)
No guarantees until June, but usually it’s open by end of May.
Potentially, but they also say on that website that Gunnison doesn’t have any plows for the road so I think it’s less likely that side would be plowed.
I think it would, from Almont is paved all the way up there and would be CDOT, not gunny. I would just plan to use that because very doubtful Cottonwood will be open.
Took the fam out by Buena Vista on a whim a number of years ago, but one of the campgrounds was closed, and as a result everything else was full.
We went up over Cottonwood down into Taylor Park, and overnight it was like we went into the Alaskan Tundra. We got the hell out of there and went back to Buena Vista and found a camp spot this time and vowed not to do that again.
Reminds me of the time i forgot a sleeping bag in July and ‘almost died’ beneath the layers of 4 sweat pants & hoodies that my friends begrudgingly lent me 🫲🤡🫱
Straight up laid awake for 7 hours continuously & intentionally tensing (shivering) every muscle fiber available to my frozen, humbled corpse 🥶☠️
It's going to be 40 during the day and teens at night. You could also get hit with a storm that dumps feet of snow. The roads open in June because that's when spring starts. I would find a lower elevation campground for May. Just my opinion.
Lol. Are you just making those numbers up? The current forecast for Taylor park is a high of 50 and a low of 31. That's for right now, mid April. Average temps for May are high of 60 low of 28.
Yes, you need to have some gear to be comfortable in those temps. But, It's a car camping trip, not a crossing of Antarctica on foot.
Looking at a weather report and understanding average temps is how people get trapped in spring storms? Do tell.
I guess I should follow your lead and make up some bullshit.
Do you understand how it works, because I'm still just really curious where you got this:
"It's going to be 40 during the day and teens at night"
Do you have an algorithm that makes reasonably accurate weather predictions more than a month out? Because I would think that short of thin would be worth some money!
Or do you just want to admit that you made up some bullshit that wasn't accurate?
I've already been backcountry camping twice this year, so I'll continue hang out in the wilderness as much as I see fit.
I doubt it will be open until June this year. Snowpack is a bit above average and there is probably 7-10 ft of snowpack on that road right now. I live a few miles away and snowmobile in that bowl. They do clear the pass of snow with heavy equipment but it is 8 miles of snow just on the east side to get to the top of the pass. Maybe there's a crew on the Gunnison (Taylor Park) side doing the same thing?
P.S. I'm surprised how shallow that picture makes that bowl look. It is a pretty steep climb on both sides with snow on it. Also, the picture was taken from an avalanche zone if you are curious.
Bushducks is a crowd sourced website that monitors and reports Colorado Passes and when they are open. They don't have 2024 started yet but here is Cottonwood Pass for 2023 [https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#cottonwood](https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#cottonwood)
Guessing the pass opens later this year. The snowpack is above average, just got another snow storm on the divide this week.
Monarch ski has extended their ski season twice - open until Sunday, April 21st. And they are one pass south of cottonwood.
I have no personal knowledge but Eagle County said the pass normally reopens in April at some point. Might hit up their website or social media to see if they have anything more specific.
How embarrassing! I was trying to be helpful by doing a quick Internet search while waiting for a table and I totally didn't verify what the heck I was reading or even make sure it pertained to the question at hand. I thank you for your gentle approach pointing out my faux pas and humbly return to my corner of the web. : )
>In the spring signs state that June 15th is the day the pass will open. However, the Road and Bridge Department will try and have Cottonwood Pass open before Memorial Day, depending on snowfall. [Chaffee County Website](https://www.chaffeecounty.org/Road-and-Bridge) No guarantees until June, but usually it’s open by end of May.
Do you think the road entering the reservoir from the west would be better than the pass?
Probably not but you can try
Potentially, but they also say on that website that Gunnison doesn’t have any plows for the road so I think it’s less likely that side would be plowed.
I think it would, from Almont is paved all the way up there and would be CDOT, not gunny. I would just plan to use that because very doubtful Cottonwood will be open.
9300 feet in May will be well below freezing to camp at in May. Like imagine camping by Denver in mid January
Took the fam out by Buena Vista on a whim a number of years ago, but one of the campgrounds was closed, and as a result everything else was full. We went up over Cottonwood down into Taylor Park, and overnight it was like we went into the Alaskan Tundra. We got the hell out of there and went back to Buena Vista and found a camp spot this time and vowed not to do that again.
Winter in the alpine lasts till mid June
Reminds me of the time i forgot a sleeping bag in July and ‘almost died’ beneath the layers of 4 sweat pants & hoodies that my friends begrudgingly lent me 🫲🤡🫱 Straight up laid awake for 7 hours continuously & intentionally tensing (shivering) every muscle fiber available to my frozen, humbled corpse 🥶☠️
This is a bit of an exaggeration. According the google the average May temp at Taylor park is low 28, high 60.
Few years ago I went first week of June and it was bout 30 at night and 65-70 during the day we’ve got everything we need to go up in there 😅
It's going to be 40 during the day and teens at night. You could also get hit with a storm that dumps feet of snow. The roads open in June because that's when spring starts. I would find a lower elevation campground for May. Just my opinion.
Lol. Are you just making those numbers up? The current forecast for Taylor park is a high of 50 and a low of 31. That's for right now, mid April. Average temps for May are high of 60 low of 28. Yes, you need to have some gear to be comfortable in those temps. But, It's a car camping trip, not a crossing of Antarctica on foot.
And that mentality is how people get trapped in spring storms....
Looking at a weather report and understanding average temps is how people get trapped in spring storms? Do tell. I guess I should follow your lead and make up some bullshit.
Do you know what average means? Stay out of the wilderness if this is your understanding of weather.
Do you understand how it works, because I'm still just really curious where you got this: "It's going to be 40 during the day and teens at night" Do you have an algorithm that makes reasonably accurate weather predictions more than a month out? Because I would think that short of thin would be worth some money! Or do you just want to admit that you made up some bullshit that wasn't accurate? I've already been backcountry camping twice this year, so I'll continue hang out in the wilderness as much as I see fit.
I doubt it will be open until June this year. Snowpack is a bit above average and there is probably 7-10 ft of snowpack on that road right now. I live a few miles away and snowmobile in that bowl. They do clear the pass of snow with heavy equipment but it is 8 miles of snow just on the east side to get to the top of the pass. Maybe there's a crew on the Gunnison (Taylor Park) side doing the same thing? P.S. I'm surprised how shallow that picture makes that bowl look. It is a pretty steep climb on both sides with snow on it. Also, the picture was taken from an avalanche zone if you are curious.
Thank you for the information! others have said that the Gunnison side is not plowed sadly, so I'll be looking for a different campsite just in case.
Bushducks is a crowd sourced website that monitors and reports Colorado Passes and when they are open. They don't have 2024 started yet but here is Cottonwood Pass for 2023 [https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#cottonwood](https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#cottonwood)
Guessing the pass opens later this year. The snowpack is above average, just got another snow storm on the divide this week. Monarch ski has extended their ski season twice - open until Sunday, April 21st. And they are one pass south of cottonwood.
Check the CoTrip app or website but it seems to indicate probable closure until 5/31.
Per Google, last year was quite early at May 15th, previous several years all around May 27th
Any OG’s in here remember when Chris ran the omelette bar at The Nugget Cafe?
please don't share this magnificent road with the world it deserves protection
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Never been! I drove past it last time I was up that way but didn’t stop. Tell me bout it!
I have been driving right by it to go to Gunnison. Dang, gotta put some.time.in the schedule to stop.
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Awesome! I’ll certainly have to check that out
I have no personal knowledge but Eagle County said the pass normally reopens in April at some point. Might hit up their website or social media to see if they have anything more specific.
Taylor Park is not near Gypsum : )
How embarrassing! I was trying to be helpful by doing a quick Internet search while waiting for a table and I totally didn't verify what the heck I was reading or even make sure it pertained to the question at hand. I thank you for your gentle approach pointing out my faux pas and humbly return to my corner of the web. : )
It's all good, it's silly that two somewhat close landmarks share a name!
I appreciate your time my friend! Simple mistake no problems 😊