North Cochetopa Pass, ColoradoAltitude: 10,149 FeetNearest Towns West Of Divide: Doyleville, Gunnison Nearest Towns East Of Divide: Saguache Rivers/Watersheds West Of Divide: West Pass Creek, Cochetopa River, Gunnison River, Colorado River Rivers/Watersheds East Of Divide: East Pass Creek, Saguache Creek*, Rio Grande *Saguache Creek ends via sinking into the ground in the northern San Luis Valley. The Rio Grande is the nearest and largest waterway downhill. 
North Cochetopa Pass is not an impressive pass at all for Colorado standards. There is not even a sign at the summit indicating one has reached the Continental Divide, nor is there even a marker pointing out you're at North Cochetopa Pass. The only semi-interesting sign was the one above, giving mileage to the nearest towns of Gunnison and Saguache. 
The only interesting thing up there is information about the San Luis Valley, the watershed east of the divide. 
The views are not the greatest either. Here is the view facing the west side of the divide. My input is to bypass visiting this pass if you are looking for Colorado scenery. The good news is, unless you are traveling from either to or from the obscure town of Saguache, Colorado, you'll have no need to travel via North Cochetopa Pass. Monarch Pass and Wolf Creek Pass will lead one to more prominent towns. Gunnison County - Photography-based with Gunnison County forum. Home |