Cumberland Pass, Cottonwood Pass &Taylor Reservoir, CO - June 30, 2005 (Re-run)

 After visiting the Alpine Tunnel, we continued our drive in the mountains to Cumberland Pass, at 12,000 feet elevation.  In some photos, you can see the road spiraling around the mountains. Passing several former mining sites, we eventually came to Tin Cup, a small semi-ghost town with a year-round population of three people.  Of course, in the Summer, the population swells to several dozen.  The restaurant there serves great milk shakes.

The bird is a Gray Jay (recently renamed Canada Jay), but known to miners as a "Camp Robber" for its habit of stealing small objects left lying around, especially bright, shiny objects.

Next we drove to Cottonwood Pass, elevation 12,125 feet, for views of the beautiful Collegiate Peaks (Mt. Harvard, Mt. Yale, Mt. Princeton, etc.).  The road is now fully paved, making it easier for folks to enjoy these views.

Just below the pass, at 9300 feet, lies the beautiful Taylor Reservoir, created by an earthen dam in the Taylor River.  The park at Taylor Reservoir is widely known for its water activities and camping facilities.

Below the dam, Taylor River is an attractive fishing stream that eventually reaches the Gunnison River, and finally the Colorado.