Fourmile Area: The Castles

Johnson Village, Colorado (Chaffee County)

Last Updated: 10/18/2020
3.2 / 5 ( 5 reviews )
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Information
Nearby Trails
Status: Open
Typically Open: Year Round
Length: 3 miles
Highest Elevation: 8984 feet
Duration: About 10 minutes
Shape of Trail: Straight Through
Best Direction to Travel: N/A
Nearest Town: Johnson Village
Nearest Town w/ Services: Johnson Village
Official Road Name: 307
Management Agency: San Isabel National Forest
District: Salida Ranger District
Showing 0 trails within 2 miles

Highlights

Highlight: Fourmile Area: The Castles
This trail highlights some of the best views of the rock formation known as The Castles, from which it takes its name. Along the drive, you will have several opportunities to stop and play in Trout Creek, or float down it in a raft or tube. From here, you will have access to many of the other trails that make up the Fourmile Travel Management Area around Buena Vista and Johnson Village.

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Weather

7 day forecast for Fourmile Area: The Castles

Route Information

Technical Rating:
( EASY )

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Waypoints

1. The Castles/FS307 Start (0 mi)
Turn left off US Highway 285. The start is clearly marked as FS 307 and Country Road 307.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 38.858922, -105.986022
From Fairplay continue south on US Highway 285 for roughly 27 miles. The turnoff will approach quickly at the bottom of Chubb Park as it is just around the bend of a mountain and cannot be seen. You will know it is coming up when you see the road bend in front of a large house with a solar panel array next to the highway. The turnoff is just on the other side of this mountain, on the left. From Johnson Village continue north on US Highway 285 for roughly 7 miles. The turnoff will be on your right. Watch for a sign for Country Road 307. You will see a reproduction Wild West town as you approach, on your right.

Camping

Dispersed

Trail Reviews (7)

Author:
Tracy Barker
Official Crew
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
I used FS Road 307 to return to Hwy 24/285 and get down to Bewnie (Buena Vista) for some fuel and snacks after spending the day in the Castles area (I entered from Salida via FS Road 185/Aspen Ridge). Take it slow and easy, enjoy the mountain scenery!
Author:
Justin Noland
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Not sure why this is a trail on here I use this road to avoid traffic on 285 in my Subaru
Author:
Nik Verbeck
Official Crew
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Nice and recently grated, bit of camping going on with a number of families hanging and playing in the creek. So keep a vigilant eye out and watch for kids.
Author:
Tracy Barker
Official Crew
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
I used FS Road 307 to enter the area and run Bassam Park (187), Bald Mountain Gulch (300), and Castle Rock Gulch (188). 307 is in good shape with a few spots of washboard surface.
Author:
Rich Brunnworth
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Road was dry. Easy drive, any 2wd vehicle can do it. Lots of dispersed campers and ATVs so be alert.
Author:
Nate Wellner
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Visited on 05/25/19 with another lifted Subaru, road was dry the entire way, very easy going. Some dirt bike and ATV traffic since it was Memorial Day weekend, but overall a very nice cruise.
Author:
Tracy Barker
Official Crew
Status: Open
Offroaded on:
Rating:
Drove FS Road 307 to exit the area after driving several other roads. 307 was mildly wash-boarded, but aside from that in good condition.

Questions & Answers (0)

Writer Information

Nik Verbeck

Mapping Crew - Colorado
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Nik is an passionate overlander, general outdoors person, as well as an avid homebrewer. Taking every chance they can to get outdoors and discover new areas, trails and campsites. When not enjoying the outdoors, you can find them wrenching on the truck, enjoying another great brewery, or working the day job designing computer systems and writing software.
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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