Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce

HIKING IN THE BUENA VISTA AREA

Photos by Kevnick Photography 

As a user of National Forest Lands, you have a responsibility for your own personal safety during any activity you may pursue. Please enjoy the trails but remember you do so at your own risk. Always let some one know where you are going and when you will return. Go prepared for changes in the weather and carry food and water, map and compass, a first aid kit and other necessary equipment. Maps and equipment may be purchased at The Trailhead, Hi Rocky or Buena Vista True Value.

COLLEGIATE PEAKS

MT. PRINCETON—14,205

Length: 6 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 8900’

Elevation Gain: 5300’

Difficulty: Difficult

Maps: Mt. Antero 7.5’ quad;, San Isabel National Forest Map

          This is the 18^th highest peak in Colorado and a good day hike. There are a few campsites and no water.

          DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Buena Vista drive south 8 miles to Nathrop. Turn west on CR 162 and drive about 4 miles. Near Mt. Princeton Hot Springs turn north on CR 321 and go one mile to CR 322 (entrance to Frontier Ranch). Turn southwest (left) for 1 mile. Frontier Ranch will be on the left and the parking lot for Mt. Princeton will be on the right. Most vehicles should park here (elevation 8900’). 4-wheel drive vehicles continue about 3 miles further up the road to about 11,000’. From the parking lot hike up the road for about 3 mile. As the road begins t turn south towards the last switchback, watch for a foot trail leaving the road and climbing the ridge to the north. This junction is not marked. Follow the trail as it turns west and walk until you can climb up to the saddle below the main summit and a southeast subpeak. Follow the rider t o the summit. 

MT. YALE—14,196’

Length: 4 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 9900’

Elevation Gain: 4500’

Difficulty: Difficult

Maps: Mt. Yale topo/San Isabel NF

(Obviously a Winter Shot)

          Mt. Yale is the 20^th highest peak in Colorado. This route is best done as a day hike because of its short length and the lack of good campsites along the way. This hike is located within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.

          DIRECTIONS:  From the traffic light in Buena Vista, go west 12 miles on CR 306 to Denny Creek Trailhead. Hike north on Brown’s Pass Trail. After crossing 2 steams, watch for a small beaver pond on the left. Approximately 200 yards past this pond, look to your right for a path leaving the main trail. Follow this path, heading east. You will cross Delaney Creek and, after another half mile, arrive in an open meadow. Continuing on you will come to a steep section with lots of down timber. Make your way up this section. You will come to an open area with Mt. Yale directly in front of you to the east. Follow a row of cairns leading to a 13,900’ saddle to the left of the summit. After reaching this saddle, hike the rocky ridge southeast to the summit.

MT. HARVARD—14,420’

Length: 7 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 9900’

Elevation Gain: 4500’

Difficulty: Difficult

Maps: Mt. Harvard topo/San Isabel NF

          Mt. Harvard is the 3^rd highest peak in Colorado. Because of its length and difficulty, this hike is best done as an overnighter. The best camping is below timberline in Horn Fork Basin. This hike is located within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.

          DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Buena Vista, drive north 3 blocks on US HWY 24. Turn left onto Crossman Avenue (CR 350). Go west 2 miles, turn right onto CR 361. Follow the road 1 mile then turn left onto DR 356. Continue 5 miles to North Cottonwood Trailhead at the end of the road. Hike west on Horn Fork Trail about 1.5 mils to the junction with Kroenke Lake Trail. Stay right and continue on Horn Fork Trail 4 miles to Bear Lake. From here, head north cross country up the ridge, making your way northwest to a ridge which then leads northeast to the summit.

COLORADO TRAIL

COLORADO TRAIL (SOUTH COTTONWOOD TO MT. PRINCETON ROAD)

Length: 7 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 9000’

Elevation Gain: 2000’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Buena Vista West topo/San Isabel NF

          This trail makes a nice day hike. It offers good views of the Arkansas Valley and is especially colorful in the fall. It is also a good trip for experienced mountain bike riders.

          DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Buena Vista, drive west 7 miles on CR 306. Turn left onto CR 344 and go a quarter of a mile. Park on the left side where the Colorado Trail crosses the road. The trail heads east from the road and crosses South Cottonwood Creek. The trail winds for about 2 miles, going around the west side of Bald Mountain. Continue 2 miles to Maxwell Creek. Another 3 miles brings you to a junction with the Mt. Princeton road (Forest Rd. 332).

COLORADO TRAIL (SILVER CREEK) TO MT. YALE SADDLE

Length: 4 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 9400’

Elevation Gain: 2600’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Mt. Yale, Buena Vista West topo/San Isabel NF

          This trail is a nice hike by itself or as an approach for climbing Mt. Yale. It can be done either as a day hike or as an overnighter. This pat of the Trail is still marked as such on top maps. This hike enters the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area.

          DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Buena Vista, drive north 3 blocks on US HWY 24.  Turn left onto Crossman Ave. ( CR 350). Go west 2 miles, then turn right onto CR 361. Follow the road one mile then turn left onto CR 365. Continue for 3 miles to the trailhead on the left side of the road. Watch for the Colorado Trail sign. Follow the trail south across the creek and climb steadily past beaver ponds and up some steeper sections to the 11,900’ saddle east of Mt. Yale. Strong hikers may wish to climb Mt. Yale fro the saddle (add 2 miles and 2300’elevation gain one way).

COLORADO TRAIL (CHALK CREEK TO BROWN’S CREEK)

Length: 6.5 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 8400’

Elevation Gain: 1300’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Mt. Antero  topo/San Isabel NF

          This is a good early season hike. Lower elevation and open exposures ensure it is snow-free before other nearby trails. This section of the Colorado traverses the base of Mt. Antero and offers good panoramas of Antero, the lower Arkansas Valley and the northern Sangre de Cristo Range. Water is scarce along the trail so it is not conducive to camping but makes an excellent day hike.

          DIRECTIONS: Just south of Nathrop on US Hwy 285, turn west onto CR 162. Drive 7.5 miles and turn left on CR 290. Chalk Creek Trailhead is at the bottom of the hill. Hike south, climbing steeply out of the Chalk Creek Valley. After topping out, the trail runs south over rolling hills through forest and meadow. After 5 miles the trail meets Brown’s Creek trail. It is 1.5 miles down to Brown’s Creek trailhead.

HIGH LAKES

PTARMIGAN LAKE

Length: 4 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 10,700’

Elevation Gain: 2400’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Mt. Yale, Buena Vista West topo/San Isabel NF

          Ptarmigan Lake is located in a scenic high bowl at the foot of Jones Mountain. This hike may be done either as a day hike or an overnighter. Good campsites can be found below timberline near the small lakes below Ptarmigan Lake.

          DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Buena Vista drive west 15 miles on CR 306 to the Ptarmigan Trailhead. Hike Ptarmigan Lake Trail south, crossing Middle Cottonwood Creek. The tail winds east and south. After 1.5 miles, you will pass through a timber sale area for 1 mile.  Follow the trail past several small lakes, climbing to timberline. Continue along to Ptarmigan Lake.

BROWN’S LAKE

Length: 6 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 8900’

Elevation Gain: 2400’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Mt. Antero topo/San Isabel NF

          Brown’s Lake, sitting between Mt. White and Jones Peak in high basin, is a popular spot for hikers and 4WD enthusiasts and is a good lake for fishing. Several waterfalls can be observed on the creek at about the 3.5 and 4 mile locations. The trail reaches the lake from the east, a road reaches the lake from the west. This trail is good for either a day hike or as an overnighter.

          DIRECTIONS: 3.5 miles south of Nathrop turn west onto CR 270 and follow the road for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto CR 272 and continue southwest  3.5 miles to Brown’s Creek Trail to the 2 junctions with the Brown’s Creek Trail to the 2 junctions with the Colorado Trail. Continue wet on Brown’s Creek Trail and a steady 4 mile climb along Brown’s Creek will bring you to the lake.

KROENKE LAKE

Length: 4 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 9900’

Elevation Gain: 1600’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Mt. Yale topo/San Isabel NF

          This trail is an enjoyable day hike or overnighter.  It should not be attempted early in the season because of deep snow on the trail.  Kroenke Lake is well known for fishing and is a very popular destination.  There are many side hikes from the lake as well.  This hike is located within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.

          DIRECTIONS:  From the traffic light in Buena Vista drive north 3 blocks on US HWY 24.  Turn left onto Crossman Avenue (CR 350).  Go west 2 miles then turn right onto CR 361.  Follow the road 1 mile then turn left onto CR 365.  Continue 5 miles to North Cottonwood Trailhead at the end of the road.  Hike west on Horn Fork Trail about 1.5 miles to Kroenke Lake Trail Junction.  Follow Kroenke lake Trail 2 miles to the lake.  A side trip to the Continental Divide gives a panorama of the Collegiate Peaks and the Three Apostles (add 2 miles and 1000’ elevation gain one way).

TUNNEL LAKE

Length: 3 miles one way

Starting Elevation: 11,100’

Elevation Gain: 1300’

Difficulty: Moderate

Maps: Cumberland Pass topo/San Isabel NF

          Tunnel Lake sits above timberline near the head of a broad valley just east of the Continental Divide and offers some spectacular views.  The trail makes for good day hikes and short trail makes for good day hikes and short overnighters. Campsites can be found below timberline south of the lake.

DIRECTIONS: Between Buena Vista and Poncha Springs on US HWY 285 just south of Nathrop, turn west onto CR 162. Drive 16 miles to St. Elmo. Turn right onto CR 267 and follow this road 4 miles to the trailhead on the left side of the road (road is rough, but passable to the trailhead with 2WD). Follow the trail southwest from the road. The trail climbs, passes timberline and enters the tundra afte 1 mile. Across the tundra the trail is faint but the route is marked with rock cairns. Hike 2 more miles over rolling terrain, crossing a low pass to reach Tunnel Lake. Continuing on the trial will take you to the Alpine Tunnel, a historic abandoned railroad tunnel under the Continental Divide (add 1 mile and 400’ elevation loss one way).

 
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