Cochetopa Pass, August 26, 2001
Historic Stage Route. Roughly parallels North Pass (new Cochetopa pass) on CO114, the route from Gunnison to Saguache.
Easy, gravel, may be some soft powdered dirt or sand especially on southeast side.
The plaque reads: "Cochetopa Pass across continental divide between Rio Grande and Gunnison River Drainage. Altitude 10,032 feet. The "Buffalo Gate" of the Utes. Early pack trail to California, surveyed by Gunnison and Fremont for railroad route 1853. Toll road built 1868. Improved highway opened 1914."
(I believe the plaque has gone missing since this photograph was taken.)