Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Salida
POP 5274 / ELEV 7083FT
When a town of about 5200 people has three microbreweries, you know something's up.
A former railroad hub turned ranching community turned outdoor mecca, this is quintes-
sential Colorado: where mud- spattered pickup trucks cruise the streets alongside battered
Subarus adorned with rooftop kayaks , and mighty peaks form distant postcard panoramas
everywhere you look.
Blessed with one of the state's largest historic districts, Salida is not only an inviting
spot to explore, it also has an unbeatable location, with the Arkansas River on one side
and the intersection of two mighty mountain ranges on the other. The plan of attack here is
to hike, bike or raft during the day, then come back to town to refuel with grilled buffalo
ribs and a cold IPA at night.
And did we mention that the sun always shines?
Sights & Activities
Salida doesn't have any major sights, but the historic downtown contains around 100
buildings that date to the turn of the century. Look for the free booklet
Historic Chaffee
County
(pick it up at the tourist office or try your hotel), which contains an in-depth and
informative walking tour of the city. History buffs can check out the small museum next
to the tourist office, though opening hours are very sporadic.
Both bikers and hikers should note that some big-time trails - the Continental Divide
(
www.continentaldividetrail.org
)
, the Colorado Trail (
www.coloradotrail.org
)
and the
Rainbow Trail (
Click here
)
- are all within spitting distance of town. If you don't want to
sweat it, a
gondola
(
http://monachcrestscenictramway.webs.com
;
adult/child $10/5; 8:30am-5:30pm mid-
May-mid-Sep)
can haul you from Monarch Pass nearly 1000ft up to the Continental Divide.
Mountain Biking
Salida has no shortage of epic singletrack. Grab a copy of the
Upper Arkansas Valley
Cycling Guide
(free) or stop by a bike shop for tips and maps.
Monarch Crest Trail
One of the most famous rides in all of Colorado, the Monarch Crest is an extreme 28-mile
adventure. It starts off at Monarch Pass (11,312ft), follows the exposed ridge 12 miles to
MOUNTAIN BIKING
