The Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway creates a stunning 57-mile mountain journey through Colorado's heart, connecting Buena Vista and Crested Butte via Cottonwood Pass at 12,126 feet. This spectacular route showcases the towering Collegiate Peaks, home to Colorado's highest concentration of fourteeners. The byway features pristine alpine scenery, historic mining remnants, vibrant wildflower displays, and access to world-class hiking, fishing, and outdoor recreation in the Sawatch Range wilderness.