Cumberland Pass
Aliases: Taylor Park Reservoir
This high pass provides some of the best and easily accessible tundra in this part of Colorado, and a walk in the area during the summer should produce American Pipit, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (in rocky areas), White-tailed Ptarmigan and White-crowned Sparrow. The wildflowers in late June and July can be truly spectacular, and a number of butterfly species (some glacial relicts with the closest populations found in Alaska) take advantage of the show. Look for the adorable alpine animal called the pika, but don’t feed them if you find them.
Restrictions: Please refrain from trampling on the tundra too much
County: Gunnison
Directions: From Gunnison, go east on US 50 to Parlin. Turn left (north) on CR 76 (Quartz Creek Road), following it through Pitkin to FR 765. Continue on FR 765 to Cumberland Pass, stopping along the way to look for montane, riparian and subalpine bird species.
Alternate Directions: From Gunnison, head north on CO 135 for 10 miles to the town of Almont and take a right onto CR 742. Go 23 miles to CR 765 by Taylor Park Reservoir. Take a right and go about 13 miles to the top of the pass.
Habitat: Alpine Tundra, Krummholz, Spruce-Fir Forest, Mixed Conifer Forest, Streamside Willow
Dates of Access: Summer months
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: US Forest Service
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Gravel parking area
Lodging: Primitive camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: None
Delorme: 59 C5
ROC: 101 F2
Latitude: 38.6843915
Longitude: -106.4810417