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Colorado Trail #1776-Segment 13 Avalanche TH
The Avalanche Trailhead is a major access point for the Colorado Trail (#1776) near Buena Vista, Colorado. A paved parking area and toilet facility are available. This is a popular trailhead for winter recreationists and provides ample parking for the many snowmobilers who converge on the area. Weekend snowmobilers love to ride to the top of Cottonwood Pass and over the Continental Divide to Taylor Park. Hikers generally use this trailhead as an access point for day hiking and backpacking trips into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness to the north via the Colorado Trail #1776.
Segment 13 of the Colorado Trail #1776 is 22.8 miles and begins at the Silver Creek Trailhead, heading south to the Avalanche Trailhead then continues on to the Chalk Creek Trailhead.
At a Glance
| Fees: | No fee is charged. |
|---|---|
| Permit Info: | Special use permits are required for groups of 75 or more persons and all commercial activities including outfitting and guiding. For more information, contact the Salida Ranger District. |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Busiest Season: | May-September |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | Buena Vista, CO |
| Water: | No drinking water provided. |
| Restroom: | Vault toilet |
| Information Center: | Salida Ranger District |
General Information
Accessibility:No handicapped facilities available.
Directions:
From Buena Vista, travel west from Buena Vista, Colorado, on County Road 306 for approximately 9 miles. The trailhead is located on the right side of the road. Watch for a sign on the right and turn into the paved parking area.
Parking:
The parking area is large and can accommodate 30-40 vehicles.
General Notes:
The Colorado Trail is a backcountry multi-use trail connecting Denver and Durango, CO. It is over 483 miles of contiguous trail. The exact mileage for the trail is ever changing as trail segments are changed and re-routed. The project that was to be the Colorado Trail began in 1973 with a grant from the Gates Foundation and was completed in 1987. The trail sees considerable usage from day hikers, mountain bikers (although not in sections in Wilderness), horseback riders, and die-hard thru-hikers. The trail is maintained by the Colorado Trail Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service.
The Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail follow the same path for approximately 200 miles.
Activities
Day Hiking
This is a great access trail to the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and the North Cottonwood trailhead. From the parking area, the trail travels north for 6 miles, crossing the North Cottonwood road (FR 365) to the trailhead for North Cottonwood and the Horn Fork Basin.
Southern route: The Colorado Trail leaves the trailhead and crosses CR 306 and parallels the creek. The trail crosses a bridge and traverses the slopes of Sheep Mtn.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Permit: | Special use permits are required for all types of commercial activity including outfitting and guiding. For more information, please contact the Salida Ranger District at 719-539-3591. |
| Best Season: | Summer |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
Backpacking
The Colorado Trail (#1776) travels north from the Avalanche trailhead into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area. The trail crosses the North Cottonwood road (FR 365).
| Best Season: | Winter or Summer |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Horse Riding
The Avalanche Trailhead is a popular off-loading site for horseback riders. The parking area provides ample room for large horse trailers. The Colorado Trail (#1776) travels north from the trailhead parking area and continues to the North Cottonwood road (FR 365).
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Permit: | Special use permits are required for all commercial activities including outfitting and guiding. For more information, please contact the Salida Ranger District at 719-539-3591. |
| Best Season: | Summer |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
Location