거니슨 카운티‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪10‬개의 천연기념물

At over 12,500 feet, the air is thin. Once you reach the top, the reward is a breathtaking, 360-degree panorama. The view looking down at Crater Lake and the iconic Maroon Bells is a sight you will never forget.

The pass gets its name for a reason—even on a warm day, you can expect strong, frigid winds at the top. You’ll be looking down on both the Crystal River Valley and the vast basins to the west. Watch your step as you go down the south side.

Its red sedimentary rocks contrast with gray volcanic rocks, showing millions of years of Earth's changes. It stands tall, reaching over 12,600 feet.

Cottonwood Pass is the high point along the road between Buena Vista and Taylor Park Reservoir. This point on the road is well above treeline and is along the Colorado Trail. It's worth visiting even if you don't want to journey far from the car.

Blue Mesa Reservoir is a beautiful spot along U.S. Hwy. 50, nestled between Montrose and Gunnison. This vast, shimmering lake is where the Gunnison River rests before flowing through the rugged walls of Black Canyon.

McClure Pass is a high mountain pass in western Colorado, along the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. It's located between the towns of Redstone and Somerset, not far from Carbondale and Paonia. You can enjoy amazing views of Colorado's wild landscapes here, and it's a great spot to stop for a break!

Cottonwood Pass, rising to the west of Buena Vista, offers a spectacular journey over the Continental Divide. This mountain pass is renowned for its stunning aspen groves that paint the landscape with vibrant fall colors. What makes it even more special is that it stands as the highest paved mountain pass crossing the Continental Divide.

With camping, fishing, and restrooms available at this small alpine reservoir, Lake Irwin is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts to visit. You can hike up in the mountains on challenging singletrack trails and OHV roads, or you can hike on the flatter nature trail around the lake, itself. This is also the site of Marcellina Pass at 10,325 feet.