Cottonwood Peak (McCord Pass)
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Piney Peak, Lava Creek
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 3 FR 784 5.00 10,497 to 11,290 ft. NA 3-4 hours
County:	Eagle
Adopted by:
Managed by:	White River National Forest, Holy Cross Ranger District	24747 US Hwy 24 (P.O. Box 190) Minturn, Colorado 81645	(970)963-2266
Summary:	Cottonwood Peak 4WD road climbs to the top of Piney Ridge, goes past Cottonwood Peak (11,484 ft.) and ends at West Peak (11,053 ft.).
Attractions:	Scenic
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - Nov 23 to June 20
Best Time:	July - Possible snow drifts August - Best September - Best October - Early snows possible
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	Unknown. I have not driven the further section of this road.
Base Camp:	This would not be a good area to base camp. Cottonwood Peak road is a dead end road that connects to a larger network of roads.
Fall Colors:	Unknown
Navigation:	From Wolcott, CO. head northwest on Colorado Hwy 131 North toward Yacht Club Drive and go 13.6 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 1/Trough Rd and go 9.6 miles. Turn right onto Route 11 and go 1.0 mile. Turn right onto Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 0.7 miles. Take a sharp left to stay on Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 1.5 miles to a kiosk where you enter public lands. Continue on the road your on which becomes Cottonwood, FR 402. Continue straight to stay on Cottonwood and go 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Sheephorn, FR 401 and go 1.2 miles. Turn left to stay on Sheephorn and go 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Walters Lake, FR 442, and go 2.0 miles. Turn right at the intersection to start Cottonwood Peak, FR 784. From Kremmling head south on Colorado Hwy 9 S/6th Street toward Eagle Ave and continue to follow Colorado Hwy 9 South for 2.3 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 1/Trough Rd and go 14.7 miles. Turn left onto Route 11 and go 1.0 mile. Turn right onto Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 0.7 miles. Take a sharp left to stay on Cottonwood Creek Rd and go 1.5 miles to a kiosk where you enter public lands. Continue on the road your on which becomes Cottonwood, FR 402. Continue straight to stay on Cottonwood and go 2.2 miles. Turn right onto Sheephorn, FR 401 and go 1.2 miles. Turn left to stay on Sheephorn and go 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Walters Lake, FR 442, and go 2.0 miles. Turn right at the intersection to start Cottonwood Peak, FR 784.
History:
Description:
Cottonwood Peak 4WD road begins by traversing two switchbacks that climb to the top of Piney Ridge. Lower section of the switchbacks photo by: Adam M Piney Ridge is a large uplift wall with Cottonwood Peak and Piney Peak the main landmarks. The switchbacks will give you great views of the Sheephorn Creek valley below. Middle section of the switchbacks photo by: Adam M Looking back from the top of the switchbacks photo by: Adam M At the top of the switchbacks you will enter the forest again and continue to climb until you reach the top of Piney Ridge and cross McCord Pass at 10,825 feet. McCord Pass photo by: Adam M This is as far as I have driven this road. Based on satellite images and the Forest Service MVUM Cottonwood Peak 4WD road continues along Piney Ridge and climbs up onto Cottonwood Peak (11,484 ft.). There will be three spur roads to the left as you go, but these are closed. The road continues over the northwest side of Cottonwood Peak to finally end at West Peak (11,053 ft.). From here you have to back track to the start of Cottonwood Peak 4WD road.
Data updated: February 26, 2014      4WD Road driven: August 31, 2013      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2014