Questions about Buena Vista area.

[scooter141]

We are going to the Buena Vista area this year. Looking to stay 10+ days. We usually go to Silverton, but wanted to try something different.
I have a couple of books on trails, and places to see, but am totally uninformed on anything else.

Any suggestions on where to tent camp for free?

Any good/neet places to go or see? (towns, ghost towns, mines that kinda stuff)

I plan on doing a little gem hunting also. Prolly wont find crap but its something to do.

Ect, ect, ect.

P.S. I am wheeling a STOCK 1994 Exploder this year. Leaving the Bronco II at home....:(

THANKS, Todd S.

[JuBean]

Biscuits and gravy at the evergreen cafe....nuff said:thumbsup:

[Digger]

Things to do:

St. Elmo ghost town
Mt. Princeton hot springs
Tin Cup pass
White water rafting on the Arkansas


There are plenty of places to camp for free. Check out the area northeast of the KOA.

[mattadams]

I think there are some fun trails around there, though that's a lot of days to fill, but there's a lot of fun stuff :). The Mt. Princeton hot springs are nice to relax at for a few hours, but don't stay there! We spent the night there one time and couldn'tget much sleep... the water all comes out hot, and they have to cool it which is the opposite of what you usually have, and the pipes make ticking noises all freakin night...

[scooter141]

This is the info I need. We dont drive very fast or get in a hurry, so we can make a day of about anything. Looking a rocks and trees, two things we have NONE of here. :-)
We have been known to just hang out at camp just being LAZY for a day......

Is it kinda like Silverton area, if there is no fence you can camp? I believe its BLM land, so its open to camping.

[mattadams]

we've camped on tin cup before no problem, most of that area is forest service land but I believe much of teh area around hancock pass is not, if I remember correctly which again I may not.

[Warrlord]

Ditto on what Matt & Jesse (Digger) said. Lots of places to camp for free off of Tincup Pass. All the trail heads are within 15 - 18 miles away from Tincup Pass.

Here's some links to trails for your stock Sploder.................

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=52

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=245

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=276

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=51

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=121

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=246

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=120

The next time you're out this way with your B2 in the Buena area, try the trails below cause your Sploder might get hurt on 'em................ ;)

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=8

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=55

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=1

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=178

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=172

[shawns 64 F100]

Things to do:

St. Elmo ghost town
Mt. Princeton hot springs
Tin Cup pass
White water rafting on the Arkansas


There are plenty of places to camp for free. Check out the area northeast of the KOA.
I swam the Arkansas when I was learning how to kayak. That was exciting :eek:

[scooter141]

Very nice. I plan on staying one night at the Sand Dunes, then driving to Buena Vista to scope out camping areas, then comming back the next day, to to set up camp.

Warrlord: Awsome. I was looking at Trail Damadge for a couple of years now, but wasnt sure on a new area and a new rig, thanks allot.

THe BII now has 44's and am working on a Rockwell axle swap. Got all the stuff, just need to finish it.

[Warrlord]

Yeah, there is a few other things to do in the area (my 1 track mind focuses on wheeling) :D

Whitewater rafting through Browns canyon is fun especially during the runoff........the river becomes a whole different animal with an attitude.

Gold panning up near Leadville.

The Hot Springs as mentioned above.

You all shouldn't get too bored :D

[scooter141]

So let me ask this, will my lowered van make it to the camping spots on Tincup? If I can find a pic of it ill post it.

[scooter141]

Here is my van and Bronco II in tow.....


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/scooter141/colorado%207-2009/DSC00292.jpg

[Warrlord]

So let me ask this, will my lowered van make it to the camping spots on Tincup? If I can find a pic of it ill post it.

You might not want to chance it but that really depends on how low it is. The lower part of Tincup (the first mile) doesn't have too many large rocks sticking out of the road, after that, they're about the size of basketballs. Not big rocks on the trail but lots of 'em buried part way in the road to make it pretty bumpy. If your van is lowered & especially if it has ground effects, I'd recommend against it.

[scooter141]

If your van is lowered & especially if it has ground effects, I'd recommend against it.


No ground effiects, but lowered it about three inches.

I will look around first. I plan on staying at the Sandunes and then driving the Explorer to look around, then coming back the next day to get a camp set up.
Where is the KOA area "digger" was refering to?

[Warrlord]

Yeah, it probably is a good idea to check it out before ya take the van up there.

Here's (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Buena+Vista&state=CO&cat=koa&country=US&latitude=38.842201&longitude=-106.1306&geocode=CITY) the KOA.

[scooter141]

I never even thought about using mapquest to look for KOA's. I am truly an idiot at times........

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP. You guys rock.

Todd S.

[Warrlord]

Todd, I hope you & yours have a safe & enjoyable trip out here :thumbsup: