There’s something about the mountains that invites reflection—the kind that lingers long after the trail ends. For Cold Mountain Craft, that spirit isn’t just a feeling; it’s the foundation of everything they make.
Born out of time spent in the backcountry near Aspen, the brand began with a simple, practical need: a journal that could keep up. “I needed something that could handle the elements,” founder Trevor Washko explains. He notes that traditional notebooks simply weren’t built for the outdoors. Pages bent, covers tore, and stories were lost to the elements. So, he set out to create something better.
The solution took shape in the form of handcrafted leather journal covers made from American bison hide. “Bison leather has a story in it already,” he says. “Every piece is different, and it only gets better with time.”
This same philosophy extends to other leather goods. Their traditionally styled fly wallets are handcrafted in the Rockies and inspired by local Gold Medal waters (a designation from Colorado Parks and Wildlife recognizing exceptional trout fishing). Each piece is made from oil-tanned bison hide, lined with soft shearing, and finished with details like a polished nickel fly concho or a simple leather wrap closure. It’s equal parts function and nostalgia, catered toward anglers who value both.
The process behind every piece is intentionally slow. From selecting hides in custom tones—merlot saddle, honey ginger, whiskey ember, and midnight espresso, to name a few—to stitching with ivory-toned waxed linen, there’s a strategic rhythm to the work. “We’re not trying to rush anything,” Trevor notes. “There’s value in taking the time to do something well.”
The rugged beauty of Colorado’s high country feeds into the ethos of the brand, where function and meaning intertwine. In an era defined by mass production, Cold Mountain Craft leans into something more sentimental. “We want our goods to be part of people’s experiences,” Trevor states.
Whether it’s a journal holding the imprint of a trail or a fly wallet tucked into a vest beside a rushing river, each piece is designed to move with its owner through life. “Not something that sits on a shelf, but something that goes out into the world with you.” It’s that balance of beauty and utility that sets the brand apart.
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