The Taylor Park Area - So Many Choices!
Click image to enlarge.
Cottonwood Pass
How to get there:
US 24/SR 306 |
N38.8417° | W106.1325° |
| Cottonwood Pass | N38.8278° | W106.4092° |
| CR 209/CR 742 | N38.8410° | W106.5570° |
From the intersection of US 24 and CR 306 (Main Street) in Beuna Vista, turn west and drive about 19 miles to the top of Cottonwood Pass.The road is paved to this point. Cr 306 becomes CR 209 at the pass. From here it is another 13 miles to the junction of CR 209 and CR 742.
Photo Ops: 
Around 7 miles from Buena Vista, there is a road (CR 344) to the south leading to Cottonwood Lake. If the aspens are peaking, I would say that it is worth exploring this road. Continuing toward the pass from this junction to nearly treeline there are many stands of aspens. The views from the top of the pass in almost any direction can be photo worthy in the right light. Earyly morning and late evening would both be good choices. Continuing down to Taylor Park, again there are several stands of aspens and some nice mountain vistas. Check out the overlook about a mile down from the top.
Taylor Park Area
Since there is no specific location for Taylor Park, I have arbitrarily decided to use the intersection of CR 209/CR 742 as a base mark and give distances from this point.
There are many roads and trails to explore in this area; it could be considered ATV heaven! I will highlight a few. You will find dozens of unofficial campsites all over the northern half of the park, many quite nice. There are also 11 Forest Service campgrounds in the general area.
CR 742C/Texas Creek Road 
This road was my first 4wd experience. On a trip to Colorado in 1983, my brother and immediate family stayed in one of the cabins at Taylor Park and went exploring in his truck. We headed up this road with the kids and the dogs in the back and had an incredible experience I'll never forget. Like when our dog KC was dangling by her back legs over the side of the truck bed and a drop of several hundred feet over the side of the road! We had a geat time and I have been exploring 4wd roads ever since.
How to get there:
| CR 209/CR 742 | N38.8410° | W106.5570° |
| CR 742/CR 742C | N38.8523° | W106.5650° |
| CR 742/FR 755 | N38.8686° | W106.4827° |
| End of FR 755 | N38.8685° | W106.4413° |
From the base point, CR 209/CR 742, travel north 1.2 miles to the intersection of CR 742C and turn east. Stay on CR 742C for 5.3 miles where tne road becomes a 4wd trail FR 755. From here the road officially ends at mile 2.4, but can be travelled another 2-3 miles to a cirque where the road is washed out from an avalanche. If you continue to this point, do so at your own risk! The road is extremely narrow and will require backing up a considerable distance to reach a turnaround point.
Photo Ops: 
Like most of the roads in this area, there are opportunities for some great flower shots and some spectacular mountain vistas. The view of the entire Taylor Park area above treeline on this road is breathtaking.
CR 748/Spring Creek Road
How to get there:
| CR 209/CR 742 | N38.8410° | W106.5570° |
| CR 742/CR 748 | N38.9958° | W106.7033° |
| CR 748/CR 748C | N38.9257° | W106.5995° |
| Lily Pond | N38.9317° | W106.6483° |
| CR 748/CR 744 | N38.8560° | W1067083° |
| CR 744/CR 742 | N38.7232° | W106.7755° |
From the base point, CR 209/CR 742, drive north about 7 miles to the intersection of CR 748 and turn west. From here at mile 1.3 you will reach the intersection of CR 748C, a spur to the north that will take you to Lily Pond. At mile 10.3 the road becomes CR 748 and a turn to the north will take you to Mosca CG and Spring Creek Reservoir, a distance of about .25 miles. Cr 744 Continues south to rejoin CR 742 in a total distance of 21 miles.
Photo Ops:
Lily Pond can be almost completely covered with water lilies. If you can catch them in bloom the photo op could be fantastic. The road follows along several streams which should provide good opportunities for flowers. From about mile 7 on there should be some good opportunities for fall colors. Spring Creek Reservoir also presents some good fall colors. Try the boat ramp area and catch the reflections in very early morning light.
CR 759/Italian Creek Road
How to get there:
| CR 209/CR 742 | N38.8410° | W106.5570° |
| CR 742/CR 759 | N38.9540° | W106.6217° |
| Favorite Campsite | N38.9533° | W106.6300° |
| End of FR 755 | N38.9517° | W106.7355° |
From the base point, CR 209/CR 742, drive north about 9.5 miles to the intersection of CR 759 and turn west. In about 0.5 miles, just after crossing the Taylor River, there is a short spur to the north that heads to my favorite campsite in the area.
From the intersection with 742, at mile 6.2 there is a spur to the north that may be worth exploring. The road officially ends at mile 6.9, but I have driven this road and you can connect with the Cement Creek road (see the Crested Butte page).
Photo Ops:
Again, like most of the roads in this area, there are opportunities for some great flower shots and some spectacular mountain vistas.
Taylor Pass
How to get there:
| CR 209/CR 742 | N38.8410° | W106.5570° |
| CR 742/Taylor Pass Rd | N38.9958° | W106.7033° |
| Taylor Pass | N39.0203° | W106.5667° |
From the base point, CR 209/CR 742, drive north about 15.2 miles to the intersection with the 4wd trail to Taylor Pass. Take the trail north. At mile 3.4 you will reach an intersection at Taylor Lake. Either route around the lake should take you to the pass in about another mile.
Photo Ops:
I have not travelled this road as yet, but there should be plenty of opportunities for wildflowers and spectacular vistas.
Tincup Area
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Tincup/Tincup Pass
How to get there:
| CR 209/CR 742 | N38.8410° | W106.5570° |
| Tincup | N38.7628° | W106.4670° |
| Tincup Pass | N38.7153° | W106.4348° |
From the CR 209/CR 742 junction drive south 2.1 miles and turn left on CR765 and follow the road for 7.4 miles to the old mining town of Tincup.
To reach the pass, turn east on FR 267 and follow it past Mirror Lake, a distance of 3.8 miles. At this point the road becomes a 4wd trail. Continue another 2.3 miles to reach the pass.
Photo Ops:
Typical of most of the roads in this area, you should see wildflowers, scenic views, and some fall colors.
St. Elmo
How to get there:
| Tincup Pass | N38.7153° | W106.4348° |
| St. Elmo | N38.7033° | W106.3453° |
| CR 162/FR 277 | N38.7098° | W106.2908° |
| Hancock Pass | N38.6217° | W106.3758° |
From Tincup Pass as described above, continue on FR 267 5.8 miles to the quaint mining town of St. Elmo. There are a few options at this point. You can follow CR 162 for 15.8 miles to the junction with US 285. You can drive to Hancock Pass. To reach the pass, take FR 277
Photo Ops:
Typical of most of the roads in this area, you should see wildflowers, scenic views, and some fall colors. St. Elmo is a fairly well preserved old mining town and should provide some good photo ops of old buildings and artifacts. The town is also well known for its hordes of friendly chipmunks looking for handouts, which should provide some good shots, especially with children.
Pitkin
How to get there:
| Tincup | N38.7628° | W106.4670° |
| Cumberland Pass | N38.6892° | W106.4843° |
| Pitkin | N38.6095° | W106.5170° |
| Ohio City | N38.5682° | W106.6107° |
CR 76/US 50 |
N38.5030° | W106.7288° |
From Tincup, take CR 765 south. Staying on CR 765, you will reach Cumberland Pass at mile 8.3 and the town of Pitkin at mile 19.1. Follow Main St. through town where the road changes to CR 76. Staying on CR 76 you will pass through Ohio City at mile 25.8 and connect with US 50 at Parlin at mile 34.4.
Photo Ops:
Typical of most of the roads in this area, you should see wildflowers, scenic views, and some fall colors.
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