Aug 4: Independence Pass, Top of the Rockies, and Cottonwood Hot Springs

From Difficult Campground east is Independence Pass, a road limited to 35 feet max, with steep drop-offs, narrow switchbacks, and incredible views. Part of the "Top of the Rockies" scenic byway, it skirts the two highest mountains in Colorado, Mt Elbert and Mt Massive. It was a rare somewhat clear day (had been raining quite a bit most of our time here) so we headed up the pass.

A quick stop at Twin Lakes , at the east end of Independence Pass, for some fishing...the water was an amazing reflection pool that morning.

Cottonwood Hot Springs, near Buena Vista, is only a few miles from Mt Princeton Hot Springs which we had visited when staying at Eleven Mile Reservoir. Since we would be coming so close upon crossing Independence Pass, we decided to visit Cottonwood.

We loved Cottonwood, which is practically perfect; small natural setting on a river, very clean pools, arrranged with multiple entry points, comfortable seating in and around the pools and one thing most hot springs lack - SHADE areas over many of the pools!  This is very important to me on a sunny day! The pools don't look as "natural" as Strawberry Park or Orvis, but we agreed it is tied with Orvis Hot Springs as a favorite in Colorado.

While at the hot springs, the afternoon storms moved in. We were poured on at the springs (quite refreshing, actually) but the real weather was hitting the top of the pass. On the way home, it was rain and hail (lots of hail)...