Cottonwood Pass Byway
Surmounted at 12,126 feet along the Continental Divide between the Sawatch Range peaks. Paved on both sides since 2019, the western descent features an engineered marvel of smooth, high-grip switchbacks dropping rapidly into the vast high-altitude basin of Taylor Park and Taylor Canyon.
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The undisputed epicenter of motorcycle culture in the eastern United States, sitting at Mile 0 of the Tail of the Dragon (US-129). An electric, adrenaline-fueled carnival of sportbikes, adventure tourers, and interstate cruisers. Smells of warm tire rubber, two-stroke exhaust, and hickory smoke.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many curves and miles is Cottonwood Pass Byway? ▼
Cottonwood Pass Byway spans 39.5 miles and packs approximately 175 curves (4.4 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 7,965 ft - 12,126 ft (Continental Divide) and technical rating 7/10.
Where are the start and end coordinates? ▼
The route starts at Buena Vista, CO (Latitude 38.8422, Longitude -106.1311) and finishes at Almont / Taylor Park Reservoir, CO (Latitude 38.818, Longitude -106.6083).
How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation? ▼
Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.