Mineral Basin

4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Buena Vista, Colorado (Chaffee County)
Last Updated: 10/29/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

The Mineral Basin Trail allows users to explore the South Cottonwood Drainage above Cottonwood Lake. The trail snakes its way up the valley as it heads toward Mineral Basin and Emma Burr Mountain (13,538'). Along the trail, you will travel close to Cottonwood Creek and pass through open meadows and aspen groves. Along the upper sections of the trail are marshy areas frequented by moose and elk. The trail ends at a large parking area high in the basin with views of Jones Mountain and the South Cottonwood Valley below.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (22)
Official Crew
30100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/29/2022

Still open for a bit longer if you can navigate the snow.
This trail guide's difficulty was changed on 10/19/2022
Official Crew
30100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 10/16/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Still open and totally dry. Only saw a few hunters.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 09/05/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easy trail. Some of the leaves are starting to turn colors. I suspect by mid September the area is going to be filled with amazing fall colors. reaching the end of the basin is fantastic. We parked and had lunch at the end of the trail. Ran this trail with a modded 4Runner (3" lift with 285 ATs), 2 stock 4Runners with 265-70R17 ATs, a stock Tacoma with 265-70R17 ATs, Chevy Trail Boss Long Bed, Stock Jeep Wrangler 4 Door with 285 ATs.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/01/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easy trail with some mildly steep and rocky sections. Great camping spots towards the top if you can snag one before someone else. Open to the top if you're comfortable driving through some packed snow. Snow will probably be gone in a week.

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial