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Cordova Pass
San Isabel National Forest
![Mt. Blanca from Cordova Pass Mt. Blanca from Cordova Pass](../../../cimages/notc/rootimages/copyrights/blancabird01.jpg)
Left to right, Little Bear, Mt. Blanca and Mt. Lindsey, from Cordova Pass
![Cordova Pass Cordova Pass](../../../cimages/notc/forests/cordova3.jpg)
Cordova Pass, at 11,243' elevation, is not well suited for camping most of the year (this area is also usually snowed in from November until late May). There are improved campsites and picnic sites at the parking area right at the pass summit (vault toilets, too, but no running water). The improvements were done by a private contractor and this is a fee area. The road coming in from Cuchara Pass is rock and dirt and really not recommended for RV's or long trailers. East of the pass the road is worse until you reach the south end of the National Forest and it becomes a county road at Spanish Peaks Ranch. The Apishapa Arch (carved through one of the Great Dikes of the Spanish Peaks) is also a bit tight for large vehicles.
There are several trailheads leading off into the forest from the pass area, including one that goes to the top of the West Spanish Peak and another that starts off in the same direction but splits off north to a great overlook and is fully handicapped accessible (when it is dry). Most of the trails here lead into the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area so wilderness rules apply (primarily, foot and horseback travel only, no mechanized vehicles allowed, including mountain bikes and hang gliders). There are more photos and info at Cordova Pass Road.
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovadike01.jpg)
One of the granite dikes near Cordova Pass
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovapass01.jpg)
Coming to Cordova Pass from the west
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovapass02.jpg)
Trailhead for several trails in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovapass03.jpg)
The picnic area at Cordova Pass
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovapass04.jpg)
The road going east from Cordova Pass
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovapass05.jpg)
The road going west from Cordova Pass
![San Isabel National Forest San Isabel National Forest](../../../cimages/forest/sanisabel/cordovaview02.jpg)
The West Spanish Peak, from just west of Cordova Pass