Off Trail, Cottonwood Pass, Buena Vista CO

A rugged alpine cirque with snow-streaked cliffs and slopes, seen across a grassy, rock-strewn ridge

Hiking

Last week, I wanted to go for a hike up on Cottonwood Pass but all the normal trails were CRAMMED full of people so I decided to hike off trail and up... and I do mean UP. This hike was, maybe, 2 miles (one way) but over 2,000' in elevation gain. It took me a few days to recover! lol

Here's just some of the pictures:

A steep talus slope of broken rock and scattered spruce trees below a ridge with patches of snow, storm clouds gathering above

A view down a forested valley toward layered mountain peaks under a partly cloudy sky

A rocky, snow-patched gully with Teddy standing as a small distant figure on a snowfield, framed by boulders

A view down a forested valley toward distant peaks with dark storm clouds building overhead

A rocky alpine gully streaked with patches of snow, descending toward a green valley and distant mountains under a cloudy sky

A rocky outcrop on a ridge overlooking a forested valley, with dark storm clouds and distant peaks beyond

A grassy, rock-strewn alpine ridge overlooking a broad snow-streaked mountain bowl under a heavily clouded sky

A pile of dark, lichen-covered rocks atop a grassy ridge, with a rugged snow-patched peak and stormy sky in the distance

A rocky summit cairn on a grassy ridge overlooking a forested valley and distant snow-streaked mountains under a dramatic stormy sky

A grassy, rocky summit ridge with a view of a sharp peak and rolling mountains streaked with patches of snow

A high view down into a forested valley with a winding paved switchback road, rugged snow-patched peaks in the background

A forested valley with a winding road following a stream, mountains rising on either side and a rain shower visible in the distance

Teddy standing on a large boulder looking out over a forested slope and a rocky talus field

Want to leave a comment? Send me an email: hillary@mybuzzabout.com

TED: Totally Excellent Dog

Teddy has some weird genetic hair issues going on. He's gone from short hair to long hair to a full mane to no mane, with plenty of iterations in between—and it doesn't depend on the season!

He's always happy to answer any questions too! You can email us at hillary@mybuzzabout.com but I'll respond for him as he hasn't gotten the knack of typing yet. WOOF!