Colorado Web Cams

North Pass, Colorado

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North Pass (aka North Cochetopa Pass - with "Cochetopa" being the Ute Indian word for "pass of the buffalo"), is an high mountain pass with a elevation is 10,010 feet (3,050 meters) that runs over the Continental Divide in Saguache County. The pass is traversed by Colorado State Highway (CSH) 114 between Saguache to the southeast and Gunnison to the northwest. This pass should not be confused with Cochetopa Pass, which is just to the south of North Pass. The road through the summit offers scenic views through very sparsely populated land.

This road is used as an important and shorter alternative route to Monarch Pass, for those heading west from the San Luis Valley area, while also avoiding having to use Poncha Pass to get to Monarch Pass; both passes are north of North Pass. The pass road is 61.5 miles (99 kilometers) long, running from Parlin (in Gunnison County) on US-50 in Saguache (the county seat of Saguache County) on US Highway 285. Though North Pass is typically open year-round, weather conditions can sometimes lead to temporary closures or restrictions, especially during heavy snowfalls in winter.

There are many recreational choices to check out just off this road in the Gunnison and Rio Grande national forests, which surround North Pass. Visitors can enjoy hiking, including exploring the old Ute settlement in the Cochetopa Hills region (off County Road 31 CC). The Utes utilized natural rock outcrops, overhangs, and shallow rock shelter caves in the sandstone as temporary bases while hunting and processing game. This site is flat out excellent to explore if you're into this kind of an adventure! Other things to do around this pass is mountain biking, camping, or winter activities. Just south of the pass along CSH 114, campers can camp temporarily on the Buffalo Pass Campground for a small fee per night.

North Pass features an alpine climate characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild summers. Summers see temperatures at the summit in the 60s°F (15-20°C), while nights are brisk, often dip into the 30s°F (-1 to 4°C). Winters here, like on all Colorado passes, are cold and snowy, seeing over 200 inches of snow per season.  

All of the North Pass cams have been removed by CDOT!

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North Pass, Colorado at Hwy 114 (west side -  aka North Cochetopa Pass)

North Pass, Colorado at Hwy 114 (east side -  aka North Cochetopa Pass)
(from CDOT)

- Next 2 cams are west of North Pass and also on Hwy 114 -

Hwy 114 (west  of North Pass, and 19 miles south of US-50 )

Hwy 114 (west  of North Pass, and 19 miles south of US-50 )
(from CDOT)

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