Hike Along North Ridge Of Cottonwood Pass (Photos - June 14, 2006)
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Standing on Unnamed Peak (alt. 12,500 feet) on the
Continental Divide Trail,
here is the view of the hike I did on the north side of Cottonwood Pass. |
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I began at the South Texas Creek Trail which leads
into the gulch of South Texas Creek. |
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On the ridge looking into the gulch. |
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I pretty much walked along the ridge and
the first major hill had a rock pile for protection from the wind. |
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I reached the second major hill and I really
like this shot of wildflowers with the Rocky Mountains in the background. |
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From this spot, the views were quite nice!
TOP: The view of three 14ers: 1) Mt. Harvard, 2) Mt. Columbia and 3) Mt. Yale.
SECOND: Looking toward the northwest.
THIRD: Beautiful high altitude flowers.
FOURTH: Looking back at the first major hill a view of the Cottonwood Pass gateway.
BOTTOM: The view of the west side of Cottonwood Pass Road
and Gunnison County. |
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Now I really, really, really wanted to continue to the third major hill on this ridge ... |
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... but clouds were rolling in and it was extremely windy.
I made the mistake of beginning my hike at 3 p.m. - not the greatest time of day in so far as avoiding
any afternoon monsoon activity.
TOP: Looking straight up, clouds cover the sun.
BOTTOM LEFT: Ominous dark clouds to the west.
BOTTOM RIGHT: I scrambled down to Cottonwood Pass Road and the
clouds on the east side of the divide did not look very welcoming either. |
