Trip
BPX Trip – BPX 2-Day: Colorado Trail - Collegiate West 02 from the Cottonwood Pass TH
Quick out-and-back backpacking trip on Collegiate West 2 of the Colorado Trail offering an alpine start, subalpine valley and remote river valley. We will camp one night near Texas Creek. The trip is Challenging due to elevation gain on the hike out.
Contacts
- Sat, Aug 29, 2026 — Sun, Aug 30, 2026
- Backpacking Section
- Backpacking
- Adults
- Challenging
- Mileage: 12.5 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,500 ft
- High Point Elevation: 12,200 ft
- Pace: 1.7 mph
- FULL (4 capacity)
- 1 (2 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Moderate due to length of days and elevation gain. Pace: 1.7 mph average, with breaks as needed.
Essential Gear:
You must bring all your own gear
Bring enough food for 2+ days in case of emergency
Wildlife-safe food storage required – 1) bear canister or 2) Ursack with odor proof bags
Make sure you have: Rain gear, insulating layers, dry sleep clothes, hiking clothes
Trekking poles recommended
Meet at 8:20 am at the paved parking area at Cottonwood Pass Trailhead. Strict 8:30 departure, please be on time. If needed, additional cars can be parked at another parking lot on the right ~1 mile past Cottonwood pass. There are bathrooms at the second parking lot.
Carpool from Denver: Meet at Woolly Mammoth EE at 5:20 AM. Depart by 5:30 AM. Be at the trailhead by 8:20 AM.
Driving directions:
Start and End Point: Cottonwood Pass Trailhead
Road Difficulty: 2WD, paved
To start and end point from Buena Vista (~35 minutes): From Highway 24, head west on County Road 306/Cottonwood Pass Road. Go 19.3 miles to the Cottonwood Pass Trailhead. It is the high point of the road. If needed, additional cars can be parked at another parking lot on the right ~1 mile past Cottonwood pass. There are bathrooms at the second parking lot.
BPX 2-Day: Colorado Trail - Collegiate West 02 from the Cottonwood Pass TH
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Trails Illustrated 129 - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
$20 annual BPX Membership Dues are required to participate. Please contact the office at 303-279-3080 ext. 3 or office@cmc.org to join the pack!