Cottonwood Pass has some truly amazing views. From the saddle point, below the summit, you get equally impressive views to the East or the West. On the day we were last there, the view to the west was obscured by faint smoke from wildfires in California. As far as the site itself goes, it’s a pretty flat area and suitable for a small group. You can face in either direction. The pass itself isn’t highly trafficked but you’ll likely find people visiting and hiking there. The hike up to the saddle point will require a fair amount of elevation gain. That is to say, you’ll be hiking uphill. Notably, there aren’t any restrooms here, nor anywhere nearby. So plan accordingly. If you make the trek from the saddle to the summit, the summit allows you to look not just East and West, but also North. It’s a steep rocky hike from the saddle up to the summit. The summit can only hold a couple of people. It’s a pretty small space. For this type of trail, we highly recommend suitable footwear like sneakers or hiking boots. Not only would it very uncomfortable to walk up in dress shoes, the rocks and gravel won’t be too kind to them.
