Buena Vista - Collegiate Peaks

Cutting through two National Forests and crossing the Continental Divide at 12,154 feet, Tincup Pass offers beautiful high alpine views while following the same route used by miners and prospectors searching for their fortunes in the late 1800s. This relatively easy route takes you from one historic mountain town right into another. St. Elmo is a true ghost town built during the mining boom of the 1880s, while Tincup, originally called Virginia City, has been resurrected as a popular summer destination with many historic buildings still in use today.

Yansing Gulch, previously known as Chinaman Gulch, is a very popular, difficult rock crawling trail ideal for testing the limits of modified vehicles. Minimal snow to the area makes it a great location for winter wheeling. There are many obstacles and rocks to play on along this 4WD trail, many of which provide multiple lines from intermediate to extremely difficult. Although not very scenic, the occasional views of the Collegiate Peaks are astonishing. This trail is a great trail for groups as the main obstacles provide enough room for vehicles to pull out of the way and watch other vehicles attempt the obstacle.

Aspen Ridge features open ranges, dense forests, and expansive views. As the name implies, the 10,000-foot elevation ridge is covered in aspen trees. The Forest Service Road is generally a graded dirt road that travels in a north-south track. The road crosses broad meadows providing expansive views of the Collegiate Peaks. Despite rougher conditions at elevation, the entire road is easily navigable by a stock 4WD vehicle. Aspen Ridge is popular among ATV and motorcycle riders, mountain bikers, and equestrians who enjoy the wide open spaces. There's dispersed camping available along all segments of the road, and nearby towns of Nathrop, Johnson Village, Buena Vista, and Salida offer commercial campgrounds, motel lodging, and outdoor supplies.

Bald Mountain Gulch (FS Road 300) is a 4WD road in the Fourmile area of Colorado, southeast of Johnson Village. It traverses scenic, high-elevation terrain in a northeast to southwest track. It provides the 4x4 enthusiast spectacular rock formations, sandy terrain, and occasional tawny rock and forest-framed views of the Arkansas River valley and the Collegiate Peaks. There are numerous 4WD roads in the vicinity, making Fourmile an ideal destination for a weekend of 4x4 trails, dispersed camping, hiking, and fishing not far from Denver or Colorado Springs. Bald Mountain Gulch is recommended to drive in conjunction with Bald Mountain Loop.

Grizzly Lake is a difficult rock crawling trail that takes you over one demanding challenge at the start to steal your attention, and then never gives that attention back till the trail run is over. This trail combines all aspects of rock crawling into less than 3 miles. With ledge climbs, water crossings, shelf roads, off camber leans, and tight squeezes between trees, the trail finally rewards you for your courage by providing epic Rocky Mountain views at its ending point. Bring your camera, bring your fishing rod, but most importantly, bring a well equipped vehicle as the trek to Grizzly Lake is certainly an adventurous one.

Following the North Fork of the South Arkansas River to its origin beneath Pomeroy Mountain, Billings Lake is a stunning offroad trail providing a true Colorado backcountry experience. Rich with abundant camping, scenic views, historical landmarks, and plenty of activities to entertain outdoorsmen of all types, this slow-burning trail passes iconic hiking trails and world-class fishing lakes, culminating at a spectacular valley just beneath the iconic Pride of the West Tunnel. This Toll Tunnel connecting the Billings Lake Valley to the town of Hancock predates rail travel in the area by two years. The ornate stonework with the keystone engraved with "Pride of the West Tunnel 1880" was used as the backdrop by photographers taking pictures for prospective investors.

Lifts, lockers, driving experience and a set of calm nerves are required to tackle the trip up to the Iron Chest Mine. The rock garden at the beginning of this off-road trail is just one of the unique features, combined with the aerial views of St. Elmo below along the way, that make this one of the most authentic trails in Central Colorado. If you like mining history, rock gardens, shelf roads, epic views and spending time above timberline then this trail should be on your bucket list.

Tomichi Pass is a high-mountain trail connecting Brittle Silver Basin to the north with the mining town of Whitepine to the south. This trail is often compared to many of the routes in the San Juan Mountains as the north side of the trail is almost fully visible from the start as it cuts across talus slopes under the red mineral deposits of Brittle Silver Mountain. Don't let the beautiful scenery fool you because this is a difficult, hard-core trail not for the faint of heart. An exposed shelf road in Brittle Silver Basin is extremely narrow and off-camber in places and is prone to rockslides.

Williams Pass follows an old 1880s toll road that ascends and traverses the Continental Divide. It was once the route for travelers and goods from St. Elmo to Pitkin, and it's now used exclusively for outdoor recreation. Topping out at just below 12,000' in elevation, Williams Pass treats visitors to spectacular east and west views as you travel through a pristine alpine meadow. The pass connects both Chaffee and Gunnison Counties and the San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests.

Carnage Canyon, or Carnage BV as it is sometimes referred to, is an extreme rock crawling trail. Though it is less than a mile long, this trail will take most of the day to complete, depending on the group size and the needed trail repairs. It is impossible to get through without a winch and a minimum of 37'' tires. Lockers are required, and vehicle damage is almost inevitable. This route features huge boulders, daunting waterfall climbs, and a V-notch obstacle that pushes most vehicles onto their side.

This trail should not be attempted if you do not meet the posted requirements at the trailhead.

Winding through the heart of Colorado’s high country, Ute Trail is a classic Central Colorado Mountain traverse that blends sweeping scenery with approachable off-road adventure. Once used by the Ute people and early settlers, this historic route runs east to west between U.S. Highway 9 northwest of Canon City and the Arkansas River Valley near Salida. It rises steadily through ranchland, open meadows, and aspen and pine groves, eventually opening up to broad ridgelines with panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks to the west and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness to the south.

The trail itself is a well-defined, mild gravel road, making it a perfect fit for any vehicle, including overlanders, and casual explorers looking to get off the pavement. Expect packed dirt, occasional washboard stretches, and some slight mud depending on the season. Several dispersed campsites along the route offer serene overnight options beneath the stars.

Black Dumps Road is a true 4WD road located approximately ten miles east of Johnson Village, known for its rocks, ruts, and seasonal mud. This area of the San Isabel National Forest, commonly referred to as “Fourmile”, contains dozens of roads and spurs that provide a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. Black Dumps Road is noted for its high buttes, boulder-strewn meadows, and Aspen forest. It is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Its remoteness, the variety of outdoor activities it invites, and rugged two-track roads are the greatest attractions to Black Dumps Road.

Dead Horse Gulch is a challenging connector trail between the Aspen Ridge trail and Spiral Drive in Salida, with gorgeous views of the Arkansas Valley. It's best run downhill for the views of both the Collegiate Peaks and Sangre De Christos as you descend into Salida. The trail is mostly narrow and rocky, with several moderately difficult sections and one optional ledge obstacle that requires a good break-over angle. There are few passing places, but the trail is lightly traveled, so you are unlikely to encounter anyone coming the other way. The trail isn't recommended for full-size trucks due to a couple of narrow, off-camber shelf-road sections.

While most of the trail is unsuitable for camping, there are a handful of small dispersed campsites near both the top and bottom of the trail. More camping is available off connecting roads at the northern end. The lower part of the trail is intertwined with a network of mountain bike trails, so watch for mountain bikers and share the trail.

Bassam Park Road, FS Road 187, is located within the San Isabel National Forest, approximately ten miles east of Johnson Village. This area of the National Forest, commonly called "Fourmile" or "the Casles", contains dozens of roads and spurs supporting a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. Bassam Park is noted for its high buttes and volcanic stone towers ("castles"), spring-fed creeks, and numerous beaver dam ponds. It is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The area includes maintained dirt roads suitable for stock vehicles (it is not uncommon to see ordinary passenger sedans and minivans on some trails) and more difficult 4WD roads. The greatest attractions in this area are accessibility, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and expansive views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River valley.

Little Cottonwood Creek (FS 185D) is an incredible trail at highlighting the many aspects that the Fourmile Travel Management Area has to offer to the interested traveler. Traveling through sandy soils and cottonwood trees, through beautiful aspen groves, and charming meadows. All Leading you to some of the most captivating views of the surrounding Collegiate Mountain Ranges you will ever enjoy.

Bald Mountain Loop is a spur 4WD road off of Bald Mountain Gulch in the Fourmile area of Colorado, southeast of Johnson Village. It provides expansive views of the Arkansas River valley and the Collegiate Peaks. There are many other 4WD roads in the vicinity, so Fourmile is ideal for a weekend excursion of trails, camping, hiking, and fishing. Be sure to include the panoramic Bald Mountain Loop.

Miles of easy, winding roads with amazing views of the collegiate peaks on the west side and dispersed camping for tents, RVs, trailers, whatever you have. Most sites are in fir and aspen forests, but some are in open meadows that can accommodate larger groups. This area is close enough to Denver or Colorado Springs for an overnight camping trip, and the roads are fun for all sorts of off-road vehicles. Shields Gulch features campsites with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks and the hills and valleys of the Fourmile area. McGee Gulch runs along a small valley with streams and marsh areas, cattle graze along the route. Campsites here offer more protection from wind than the exposed sites on the ridges of Shields Gulch, and are closer to the main route. Small water crossings and muddy spots add diversity to the drive, which is beautiful and easy. This area is popular with ATVs and horses because it is possible to bring large trailers in safely. There are non-motorized trails for mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians.

Castle Rock Gulch Road is located within the San Isabel National Forest, approximately ten miles east of Johnson Village. This area of the National Forest, commonly referred to as “Fourmile” or "the Castles", contains dozens of roads and spurs which provide a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. Castle Rock Gulch is noted for its rock outcroppings, broad stream-filled meadows, and twisty roads. The rock features offer splendid viewing and photography. This road is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. Its accessibility to RVs and horse trailers, the multiple outdoor activities it invites, and the visual contrasts between stone and green meadows are Castle Rock Gulch's greatest attractions.

The Mount White Trail is unique in that the entire trail is above timberline. If you love elevation and being in the center of several 14ers and 13ers, this area will not disappoint! The views along the entire route are amazing and perfect for photographing several major Central Colorado Peaks. As you travel toward Mount White (13,667'), to the north, you have Mount Antero (14,275'), to the south are Mount Shavano (14,232') and Mount Tabeguache (14,163'), and to the west is Cronin Peak (13,877'). As you come to the end of the trail the views into the Arkansas River Valley are equally impressive. Mount White is a nice addition to the Mount Antero Trail, making for a full-day adventure.

Traversing through the southern Sawatch Range, Taylor Mountain is a constantly climbing high alpine road weaving its way through a maze of old mining roads. Dilapidated buildings and mine tailings dot the landscape of an area rich in geological history, dating back to the late 1800s. With productive mines pulling in millions of dollars in silver, gold, lead, and copper, there has been no shortage of abundant natural resources as the area continues to be mined for limestone and quartz to this day. With plenty of scenic views and sights to see, Taylor Mountain will easily sneak its way onto your list of favorite trails within central Colorado.

Paralleling Tincup Pass and providing a quick, difficult shortcut along the western end of the Pass, Old Tincup Jeep Trail is a narrow, rock-crawling alternative to an otherwise simple mountain trail. Bouldery terrain along Old Tincup will entertain the modified vehicle crowd and those looking for a much-needed challenge. Expansive valley views along the trail make for excellent action photo opportunities and give your device a perfect new screensaver. Don't take this trail lightly. It has left many users with damaged and inoperable vehicles.

The Turret Trail leads to the old ghost town of Turret, Colorado, and is the only road into, rather than around, Browns Canyon National Monument. The first few miles are a graded county road until you get to the Turret ghost town, which is privately owned and has interesting old buildings you can view from the road. Turning left on the main road through town brings you to the hiking trailhead for the Austin Trail, which goes to one of the main attractions in Browns Canyon National Monument called Railroad Gulch.

Past Turret, Forest Road 184 becomes a one-lane dirt track. Though the road remains easy, the terrain becomes more rugged as you enter Browns Canyon National Monument. The trail winds through a series of scenic hills and valleys with frequent views of towering rock formations nearby and the Collegiate Peaks in the distance. The road eventually dead-ends at a washed-out gully a few hundred yards short of where the endpoint is shown on the MVUM. Beyond that point, it turns into a scenic but seldom-used hiking trail entering the Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

Dispersed camping is allowed along this trail, and there is one notable campsite up a short spur with spectacular views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas Valley. Even though it's in a national monument, this road is very lightly used and unlikely to be crowded even on holiday weekends. Turret Trail is a true hidden gem in the Salida area.

The Boss Reservoir Trail is a short route off the east side of Monarch Pass. The route will take you two miles into the forest from Highway 50 to the reservoir's banks. Fishing access is convenient, as the trail ends right at the lake. The road surface is mostly dirt with some rocky sections. A stock high-clearance 4x4 can complete the trail. Passing is difficult along the middle of the route so be sure to watch for wide places in case you need to pass another vehicle.

Paralleling Chalk Creek between Saint Elmo and Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Old Chalk Creek Road is a nearly 6-mile straight-through dirt road through the San Isabel National Forest. The road is dual-managed as Forest Road 292 and County Road 292. The road is primarily packed dirt, 1.5-2 vehicles wide the entire way. The difficulty of the road is divided into three sections: west of Iron City Campground, Iron City to Alpine Lake, and east of Alpine Lake. From the western end to Iron City Campground, the road is very easy, well-maintained, and suitable for any vehicle. East of the campground until Alpine Lake, the road is rough with protruding rocks of several inches and several sharp grades. Low-clearance vehicles, trailers, and RVs are encouraged to avoid this middle section of the road. East of Alpine Lake, you will encounter many private residences, and the road is once again an easy, well-maintained dirt road suitable for any vehicle.

Along the drive, you will see many beaver ponds, old mining buildings, the Iron City Cemetery, and several areas to picnic and enjoy the cool waters of Chalk Creek. Dispersed camping is not allowed along this road, but improved camping can be found for a nightly fee at the Iron City Campground, where you will find a pit toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes.

Bald Mountain Road goes to the top of a small dome just north of Mount Princeton. The road is used as an access for the communication equipment at the top and is an easy drive. There are great views of the Arkansas River Valley at the end, and the trail has a few campsites along the way. A dead-end camping spur route about 1/3 into the trail offers some dispersed sites, and the camping photo accompanying this write-up is from about halfway into the trail. A parking lot at the last switchback has a hiking trail, which cuts uphill to meet the Colorado Trail. Overall, use on this road is low, and there is plenty of room to pass other vehicles.

Middle Fork Trail follows the Middle Fork of the South Arkansas Drainage to an endpoint just below the treeline. This endpoint also intersects the hiking Trailhead for Chalk Creek Pass. The 3.5-mile easy route is a nice, quiet drive without crowds. The trail ends at the edge of a large meadow with a small parking area and trailhead information. Sitting astride the famed Continental Divide Trail, the area is popular with hikers. Several dispersed campsites are located along the route.

Bald Mountain Gulch Cutoff is an out-and-back side spur off the Bald Mountain Gulch main trail. This side route once went through private property and connected to CR 300 at the west end of Arnold Gulch. However, the old route across private property is now closed, making the Bald Mountain Gulch Cutoff an out-and-back trail. There is a large turnaround area where the private land begins.

There is minor erosion damage along the trail and a few rocky sections, but there will be no challenge to a stock high-clearance 4x4.

Dispersed campsites along the route have views of the Arkansas River Valley and the Collegiate Peaks.

Hoffman Park is a short out-and-back spur trail off Middle Fork Trail. The route follows the drainage to near treeline and ends at a large alpine meadow overlooking the Middle Fork Valley. Near the remnants of several old cabins, there is a nice campsite at the end of the trail and a view of the main mine adit across the basin. The trail has tight switchbacks and rocky sections, making it suitable for stock 4x4 vehicles with high clearance and a low range. This route requires a Colorado OHV sticker.

As the name suggests, Powerline is a straight-through connector road following powerlines between Billings Lake and Taylor Mountain. The eastern end of the trail is extremely rocky, with protruding rocks up to basketball in size and loose rocks the size of softballs. The trail climbs sharply at a consistent 12-degree pitch as you travel west, curving through a half-dozen wide-sweeping switchbacks. Once at the top of the ridgeline, the trail smooths out to a well-maintained road the remainder of the way with no concerns. One campsite can be found at the eastern end of the trail near the intersection with Billings Lake, and another campsite can be found at the halfway mark along the ridgeline.

The loose rocky terrain on the eastern end of the trail is suitable only for high clearance 4WD vehicles. If entering the trail from the west and heading towards Dry Lake, any vehicle is suitable.

Deep Lake is an out-and-back trail with two short fingers on its northern end, both leading to campsites. The trail is an easy, hardpacked dirt road with several tall and sharp water bars, where low-clearance, long-wheelbase vehicles such as pickup trucks, RVs, or trailers will need to use caution. The western finger of the trail is primarily used as an access and resupply road for users of the Colorado Trail, as it ends at a large campsite alongside the popular hiking trail. The eastern finger is another access road to a gate at a firewood-cutting permit zone. The eastern finger offers a large campsite next to Dry Lake, just before the gate. The trail is single-lane the entire way but suitable for just about any vehicle.

Also referred to as Cow Lake Road, Cow Creek follows to the south of its namesake, Cow Creek, and crosses Sandford Creek, another unnamed creek on its southern end. It is a short road that connects Cumberland Pass with Cake Ridge Spur. The water crossings can be deep during spring runoff, so use caution. There are boondock-style campsites closer to Cumberland Pass.

The Cemetary Trail is a short out-and-back side spur off the Middle Fork Trail. This route immediately passes by an old cemetery and offers history enthusiasts the chance to walk around the long-forgotten gravesites tucked away in the dark timber. The trail continues up the drainage for less than a mile through tight timber and larger rocks. The trail is suitable for stock, high-clearance 4x4s with a low range, but the tight brush and trees will make for certain pinstriping. Due to the steep terrain, there are no established dispersed campsites along the route. This route is now a full-size motorized trail and requires a Colorado OHV sticker for plated 4x4s.

Cake Ridge Spur is a short dirt trail connecting three other nearby trails. This trail is part of a network of trails between Cottonwood Pass and Cumberland Pass. Cake Ridge Spur offers a chance to get out of the trees and catch glimpses of the surrounding area. The trail crosses Cow Creek at its south end, but the crossing has a man-made hard bottom that is usually only a few inches deep. It's also common to see cattle on this trail.

Although there are no campsites on this trail, all nearby trails have obvious campsites.

This trail is rated as moderate due to the frequent rutted-out sections along its length. A few of these ruts have bypasses, while others must be driven through. The ruts can be around a foot deep, which poses risks to vehicles with low clearance. However, any vehicle with AWD or 4WD and clearance can easily drive this trail.

Frenchman Creek is a narrow, winding trail that climbs into the San Isabel National Forest and approaches the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. The official trail on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) ends at a random, unmarked spot with little room to turn around. However, the road on the ground physically keeps going much further than the MVUM route shows.

There are no notable obstacles on this trail, but there are a few steep sections that reach a maximum of 15 degrees of incline. The trail also has several spots that squeeze between trees, which could pose a problem for larger vehicles and full-size trucks.

There were a handful of campsites along the trail.

Fourmile Spur Road, off Fourmile Creek near Buena Vista, is a short camping spur known for its excellent camp spots that are particularly suited for RV's. This tranquil stretch offers a serene setting complemented by beautiful scenery, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy a peaceful nature retreat. Whether you're setting up a tent or parking an RV, the spots along Fourmile Spur Road provide both convenience and picturesque views that enhance any camping experience.

Wagner Road is a super short camping spur off the seasonal portion of Fourmile Creek, featuring a single campsite. While this site is entirely exposed, it compensates with breathtaking views, making it a remarkable spot for those who appreciate a scenic backdrop. Ideal for visitors seeking solitude and a direct connection with nature, Wagner Road offers a unique camping experience where the vastness of the landscape can be fully appreciated.