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Cottonwood Creek Trailhead

  
8/4/2020
Posted On: 8/4/2020 By: ellenmseb
Info: Not a report but a question. Can a 2wd low-clearance sedan make it to the Cottonwood Creek trailhead?
 
4
8/2/2020
Posted On: 8/3/2020 By: Hershel
Info: Intel is somewhat limited on this TH, but everything I found indicated that there are only 4 - 5 parking spots. We felt you could fit more like 10 cars if spaced properly.
 
1
11/17/2019
Posted On: 11/17/2019 By: Unknown
Info: Road easily accessible by 2wd, dirt last few miles with visible TH post and parking for 5+ vehicles. Sign in sheet still valid. No issues with leaving vehicle for 1.5 days
 
9/14/2019
Posted On: 9/16/2019 By: strayster2
Info: Summer conditions. Trailhead was further down the road than Google Maps lead me to believe, but don't get discouraged. It's maybe 100-200 yards past a large white water tank on the right. Made it with no problem in a Hyundai Elantra Do not underestimate the amount of time you will spend bushwhacking/route finding for the second 2 miles of this 4 mile approach. The trail is great for while, then some cairns are mildly helpful for a while, then suddenly it gets really tedious. From all the vegetation and deadfall encroaching on the route you can tell this isn't the standard route, and you can tell WHY this isn't the standard route.
 
8/24/2019
Posted On: 8/25/2019 By: dr_j
Info: Clear trail for just over 3 miles. The remainder up to the junction can be unclear and heavily overgrown. The willows are 6 feet high, and there are a few scrambly portions on rock slabs, all which make backpacking a difficult task. Its rather over-cairned, which leads to some confusion. The junction to the trail leading to the Peak is marked by a big bloom of yellow wildflowers. So give extra time to negotiate the obstacles, its well worth the trouble. This is a beautiful, lush, and quiet place. We spent just under 14 hours for the trip, which included the Peak, traverse, Needle, and the circuitous descent back via Broken Hand Pass and Cottonwood Lake.
 
8/7/2019
Posted On: 8/7/2019 By: Sgranteed
Info: Trailhead is open to public via the Sangre Forest Service Station. A nice parking lot for about 5-6 vehicles. BE PREPARED with Bug Spray (Bens amazing 100% DEET worked just fine..) , this trailhead and trail is the absolute WORST Ive ever seen in terms of mosquitoes and I lived in Pennsylvania for 26 years and Colorado for 3 now and live in the San Juan mountains, BRING BUG SPRAY! KEEP VEHICLE DOORS CLOSED WHILE LOADING UP, otherwise it will be an infestation in your car when you return. Trail is in good condition for first 2-2.5 miles, then it is overgrown with brush and a few fallen down trees to step over, route finding is NOT difficult in the daylight with all the cairns going up the rock slabs along the creek, but if youre looking to navigate at night, be careful and take into account extra time because it will be troublesome finding the route and getting off track.
 
3/31/2018
Posted On: 4/1/2018 By: Hjelmstadlt
Info: Trail is muddy but clear of snow below the waterfall. From the waterfall to the trail junction expect interspersed drifts of snow and a few patches of ice. South cottonwood to Milwaukee Pass has continuous snow with a few bare sections of rock near the top.
 
5/26/2017
Posted On: 6/1/2017 By: Hjelmstadlt
Info: Trail is clear of all snow until just below the first waterfall. After that there are some patches of soft snow on the trail that are melting out fast. Continuous snow begins just after crossing the talus field upon entering the first alpine meadow and continues up to the lake. Spring wind had knocked down a large amount of trees onto the trail but most of them we moved off the trail on our way down except for a large juniper about a mile or so up the trail and some very large pine trees a short ways after that. Mosquitoes were fortunately not out yet while we were up there, but they will be coming very soon!
 
2/19/2017
Posted On: 2/23/2017 By: jscully
Info: Trail is trenched all the way in and easy to navigate. There was some snow the day of our climb and the tracks are less visible above 11k. At that point though you are getting close to the lake and make the call on the needle or the peak. Road to trailhead is clear. Obviously this all changes with any new snowfall.
 
3/19/2016
Posted On: 3/20/2016 By: yingyangsoup89
Info: Consistent snow level starts about 9600 ft. Great trail the first 3 or so miles then you're on your own. The snow was very supportive and solid in the early morning hours which made this miserable approach manageable. We stuck to the standard approach and had no issues. GPS definitely recommended. There is a good trench in place now all the way to the red gulley on crestone peak until the next snow system moves in.
 
7/27/2015
Posted On: 8/3/2015 By: Hjelmstadlt
Info: Road up to the trailhead is fine just beware the many Crestonians that like to meander the road. Parking lot is small so make sure you get there early for a spot. The bad news is the misquotes, which are the worst I‘ve seen and my friend (previously a guide in Denali) says they‘re worse then Alaska so don‘t forget the bug repellent or you‘ll be eaten alive. The trail is also conveniently Cairned all the way to cottonwood lake which wasn‘t always the case.
 
4/1/2015
Posted On: 4/4/2015 By: swbackcountry
Info: The trail is clear to about 10k. after which there is considerable postholing through bushwhack/talus and very deep mushy snow. Hard freeze line is at about 11.2k, which should be supportable snow before the sun hits it in the mornings. Many cairns are poking through the snow and my ski track/ postholing should generally take you in the right direction. Trail winds quite a bit so keep a lookout for sudden bends and weird directions of travel. Above the slab/talus area the trail disappears in the snow.
 
1/26/2015
Posted On: 1/30/2015 By: Kiefer
Info: Road is muddy, wet and lightly snow-packed in spots. Road is open to TH at the water tank. Trench exists (now) up to and up the slab area.
 
3/24/2014
Posted On: 4/1/2014 By: Eagle Eye
Info: an easily driveable, muddy road. there is a TH register & maps and warning signs about bears at the small trailhead area.
 
2/17/2014
Posted On: 2/18/2014 By: jmanner
Info: Road dry all the way to the trailhead. Civic wouldn‘t have a problem getting there.