North Cottonwood Trailhead

This trailhead accesses the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness via the Kroenke Lake Trail#1448 and the Horn Fork Basin Trail #1449 which allows access to Mt. Harvard (14,420 ft) and Mt. Columbia (14, 073 feet). For detailed route information please visit the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. The hike to Kroenke Lake is especially beautiful during July when the wildflowers are in full bloom. The trail has numerous creek crossing and is lush and green with alpine vegetation.

General Information

Camping is not permitted at the trailhead. Dispersed campsites and pull-outs are located along the road to the trailhead.

Wilderness regulations apply within Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. For group size restrictions contact the Salida Ranger District at 719-539-3591.

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 38.87081158

Longitude: -106.26601442

Directions

From Buena Vista, travel west on County Road 306 for 2.5 miles to County Road 361. Turn right on this road and travel north for 2.5 miles. You need to watch for the road sign for County Road 365 (North Cottonwood) on the left. The road makes a hard left and travels west from the intersection towards the mountains. Stay on CR 365 for 3.5 miles. The Colorado Trail crosses the road at this point. The road will continue west for 1.4 miles and end at the North Cottonwood trailhead.