Nestled in the heart of Buena Vista, Colorado, Cottonwood Pass is a haven for fat bike enthusiasts. Though it's marked as "fat bike only," the trail offers a transformational cycling experience across the seasons. When summer blankets the region, the eastern side of the pass turns into a paved road, drawing road cyclists like a magnet. Yet when winter descends, the narrative changes entirely.
During the winter months, the road undergoes a metamorphosis. It's partially plowed up to a point 7 miles from the top of the pass, where a gate marks the end of winter maintenance for cars. But for snowmobilers and fat bikers, the trail is far from closed. The Buena Vista Snowmobile Club actively grooms and maintains the upper snow-covered portion, making it an ideal spot for fat biking.
Riding to the peak of Cottonwood Pass, cyclists will encounter an elevation of nearly 12,200 feet. For those wishing to pedal through the heart of winter and experience the thrill of high-altitude biking, there's no place like Cottonwood Pass.
For a very easy yet extraordinarily rewarding winter cycling adventure, Cottonwood Pass is the venue par excellence. It's more than just a fat bike trail; it's a seasonal cycling experience, reflecting the diverse beauty of Buena Vista, Colorado. With its groomed snowy paths and optional detours, the pass provides a unique opportunity to pedal high into the mountains, even in the dead of winter.
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