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  • Chaffee County, Colorado

    Top Spots in and near Chaffee County

    • Salida, Colorado

      Ride the Monarch Crest Trail

      5.0
      The Monarch Crest Trail has been rated as an IMBA Epic ride and is for sure an epic ride especially ending the ride with the Rainbow Trail. The Monarch Crest Trail is best ridden as a shuttle and begins at the very top of Monarch Pass just outside of Salida or Poncha Springs, Colorado on highway ...
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    • Salida, Colorado

      Waterdog Lakes Trail

      5.0
      3.2 mi / 1056 ft gain
      Waterdog Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Salida, Colorado.
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    • Salida, Colorado

      Hike Mount Shavano and Tabeguache Peak

      4.0
      9.25 mi / 4600 ft gain
      Start out on the Shavano and Tabeguache Trailhead off of FR 252 outside of Poncha Springs, at about 9,700 feet, and begin your trek into the forest. In the first half of a mile there are a few trail marker signs that should be read carefully to insure the right path is followed, but these signs ...
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    • Nathrop, Colorado

      Explore the St. Elmo Ghost Town

      3.8
      If you're willing to go off the beaten path to a neat little ghost town, St. Elmo, Colorado is the place for you! About 2 and a half hours west of Colorado Springs, Colorado lies the town of St. Elmo, high up in the White River National Forest.The town itself was founded in 1880 when they discov...
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    • Parlin, Colorado

      Hike to Roosevelt Mine

      5.0
      1.5 mi
      Abandoned in 1919, Roosevelt Mine is a lost treasure of Gunnison County, Colorado. Exactly three miles outside the tiny town of Ohio City is the unmarked trailhead on the side of a road pull off for Roosevelt the mine. The trail is otherwise well established and easy to follow. The trail is a lit...
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    • Nathrop, Colorado

      Hike Mt. Princeton

      4.5
      13.25 mi
      Starting at 8900 feet of elevation, this 13.25 mile roundtrip hike begins its 5400 foot elevation gain on a dirt road that winds for 3 miles until you break the treeline. If you have 4WD and good clearance you can drive most of the way up this road, shortening your entire hike by about 6 miles. J...
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    • Buena Vista, Colorado

      Photograph Cottonwood Lake, CO

      0.1 mi / 1 ft gain
      Wherever you are in Colorado, turn your route towards Buena Vista in South West Colorado - you will not be disappointed. To start, Buena Vista is a really cool town with great places to eat and visit. So make sure you check out the city before heading up Cottonwood Pass. When you are ready to hea...
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    • Chaffee County, Colorado

      Camp in Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area

      4.0
      Head toward Nathrop, CO on U.S. High 295. Turn east between mile markers 144 and 145 onto Chaffee County Road 301. Take the road until the pavement runs out and turn right onto Chaffee County Road 300. Drive a couple miles on the road and through the Ruby Mountain campgrounds (paid lots only) unt...
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    • Buena Vista, Colorado

      Ptarmigan Lake near Buena Vista

      5.0
      6.01 mi / 1608 ft gain
      When you begin the trail, make sure to choose the correct trailhead from the parking lot (located on the south side of the lot to the left, NOT behind the bathroom). From there, begin a moderate climb through a shaded fir forest to the tree line. Emerge in a meadow at a pond and the lower lake, ...
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    • Buena Vista, Colorado

      Summit Mt. Yale

      5.0
      8.48 mi / 4232 ft gain
      This amazing adventure starts at 9,900 feet and goes up 4,300 feet over the course of an 8.5-mile round trip. You will want to start at the Denny Creek Trailhead. If you are coming from Buena Vista or staying at the Collegiate Peaks Campground you will pass Denny Gulch and then Denny Creek. The ...
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    • Gunnison County, Colorado

      Hike to Lost Lake

      4.2
      2.4 mi / 600 ft gain
      This Trail starts at about 11,200 feet right before the top of cottonwood pass. The trailhead starts at the LAST pull-off before you reach the top of the pass, so if you reach the top, you've gone too far. The hike isn't a super difficult one, but you will go through numerous streams and flooded ...
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    • Gunnison County, Colorado

      Take in the Views on Cottonwood Pass

      4.7
      Starting in the town of Buena Vista, head west on E Main Street until it turns into State Highway 306. After about 40 minutes of driving and some winding roads the Continental Divide sign welcomes you to a gravel parking lot. You can get out and hike as you please, but the view from the parking l...
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    • Buena Vista, Colorado

      Backpacking to Kroenke Lake

      9 mi / 2750 ft gain
      Starting at the North Cottonwood trailhead just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike will take you 4.5 miles to the lake with about 2750 feet of elevation gain. The hike is mostly mellow and you'll likely see hikers heading up to Horn Fork basin to hike Mt. Harvard and Columbia. Campsites ...
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    • Buena Vista, Colorado

      Hike Mt. Harvard

      14 mi / 4600 ft gain
      Start your hike at the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead. The trail begins at the end of the parking lot. You'll cross a bridge and meander along the creek, eventually reaching another bridge crossing at about 1.5 miles.After this bridge, you'll reach a trail junction. Be sure to go right (towards...
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    • Hartsel, Colorado

      Camp at East Castle Rock Gulch

      This is an awesome camp spot for individuals who do not have a 4x4 or AWD and want a secluded getaway! It does require to drive about 3 miles along a dirt road before arriving at the dead end of 188A, but can be easily cleared. From what I could see on the drive in there were only 4 camp spots de...
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    • Gunnison County, Colorado

      Winter Astrophotography at Taylor Reservoir

      20 miles outside the south central Colorado mountain town of Almont lies Taylor Park Reservoir. The location is secluded and not penetrated by light pollution, making it a perfect place to photograph winter stars.When you arrive to your desired location by the edge of the reservoir you can begin ...
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    Camping and Lodging in Chaffee County

    Monarch Park
    Salida, Colorado

    Monarch Park

    Salida / Mt. Shavano KOA Journey
    Salida, Colorado

    Salida / Mt. Shavano KOA Journey

    Ohaver Lake
    Salida, Colorado

    Ohaver Lake

    Cascade (Colorado)
    Nathrop, Colorado

    Cascade (Colorado)

    Chalk Lake
    Nathrop, Colorado

    Chalk Lake

    Mount Princeton
    Nathrop, Colorado

    Mount Princeton

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Chaffee County

    A Weekend Adventure Guide to Crested Butte, Colorado

    A Weekend Adventure Guide to Crested Butte, Colorado

    Holly Mandarich