Colorado · Hiking · Sangre de Cristo Wilderness

Cotton

26.2 mi
round trip
3,010 ft
climb
12,530 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Cotton open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rio Grande National Forest. It doesn't name Cotton, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Rio Grande National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cotton is a hard hike in Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, within the Saguache Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back route of about 26 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 3,010 feet, taking you from a low point of 8,609 feet to a high of 12,530 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail surface is natural. The trip runs from May 16 through November 15, so plan for a late spring or early fall visit. The route is long and steep, and the high point sits well above the low, so expect a significant climb over the course of the day. Several other hikes lie within a few miles, including Major, Wild Cherry and Horsethief Basin. Valley View Hot Springs, about 4 miles away, offers a place to stay.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.