Cochetopa Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cochetopa Pass |
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Just east of Cochetopa Pass
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| Elevation | 10,067 ft (3,068 m) |
| Traversed by | CR NN14 / FR 750 |
| Location | Saguache County, Colorado, United States |
| Range | Rocky Mountains |
| Coordinates | 38°09′46″N 106°35′59″W / 38.1629°N 106.5998°W |
| Topo map | USGS North Pass |
Cochetopa Pass is a mountain pass located in the Rocky Mountains of south-central Colorado. It sits on the Continental Divide, which is like a giant natural line that separates rivers flowing to the Pacific Ocean from those flowing to the Atlantic. The pass is found between the city of Gunnison to the northwest and the town of Saguache to the southeast.
Cochetopa Pass also marks the border between the Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests. Its name comes from the Cochetopa Hills, where it is located. "Cochetopa" is a word from the Ute Indian language, meaning "pass of the buffalo." The original Cochetopa Pass is a gravel road called Saguache County Road NN14. There is another nearby crossing, often called North Pass, which is paved and slightly higher. This one is on State Highway 114.
Exploring Cochetopa Pass: A Look Back
The area around the Cochetopa Hills was a special hunting ground for the Ute Indians. Over time, many explorers tried to find a good way to cross the Rocky Mountains through this region. Some of these early journeys faced many difficulties.
The Fremont Expedition of 1848
In 1848, some business people from St. Louis wanted the new transcontinental railroad to pass through their city. They paid for an expedition to find a route over Cochetopa Pass. John Charles Fremont led this group.
The explorers crossed the San Juan Mountains. But by mid-December, after reaching Pool Table Mesa, the harsh winter conditions caused many problems. Sadly, ten men were lost, and the animals also suffered. Fremont, with help from the Ute Indians, led the remaining men to Taos, New Mexico. This expedition did not find a suitable railroad route.
Captain Gunnison's Survey in 1853
In the fall of 1853, Captain John W. Gunnison also explored this area. He was looking for the best route for the transcontinental railroad. Not long after exploring the Cochetopa Pass area, Captain Gunnison sadly died during the expedition.
His second-in-command, Lt. Edward G. Beckwith, took over the survey. He decided that a better route for the railroad would be further north. This new route would cross through Wyoming, specifically across the Great Divide Basin.
