The Avalanche trailhead is a major access point for the Colorado Trail (#1776) near Buena Vista, Colorado. A paved parking area and toilet facility are available. This is a popular trailhead for winter recreationists and provides ample parking for the many snowmobilers who converge on the area. Weekend snowmobilers love to ride to the top of Cottonwood Pass and over the Continental Divide to Taylor Park. Hikers generally use the area during the summer months as an access point for day hiking and backpacking trips into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness to the north via the Colorado Trail (#1776).