Quiet Mountain Road Drive | Calm POV Journey

Today’s journey takes us on a relaxing POV drive along Cottonwood Trail, exploring some of western Colorado’s lesser-known backroads.

This drive begins on Old Highway 90, where we turn onto Forest Service Road 650 (Cottonwood Trail) and follow this remote mountain route toward Forest Service Road 603 (Hauser Road). Upon reaching Hauser Road, we pause to observe smoke visible in the area before continuing toward the nearest town due to a lack of cell service. We briefly speak with a Forest Service crew to report and confirm they are aware of the smoke before continuing toward Delta–Nucla Road. As we continue, a quiet moment in the wildlife occurs as a Dusky Grouse hesitates while crossing the road. The journey ends as steady rain begins to fall.

Filmed in real time from the passenger seat, this long-form scenic drive follows narrow, rocky backroads through ponderosa pine forests, scrub oak, and pockets of young aspen forest. This route is not open year-round, and during heavy rain or snowmelt, AWD or 4x4 vehicles are required. This drive was recorded in a 2024 Toyota 4Runner, well-suited for rugged mountain terrain.

If you enjoy quiet scenic drives, slow travel, and authentic moments encountered on roads less traveled, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Chapters:

0:00 Beginning on Old Highway 90
0:04 Turning Onto Cottonwood Trail (FS Road 650)
0:55 Narrow Mountain Road Through Pine & Oak Forest
36:23 Approaching Hauser Road
40:33 Smoke Visible Along the Forest Road
47:10 Brief Check-In With Forest Service Crew
48:44 Quiet Wildlife Moment on the Road
49:51 Rain Begins & Closing the Drive

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