Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
al nonprofit organizations through its Coffees for a Cause program. It's a nice space with
patio seating and delectable pastries available throughout the day.
Getting There & Away
Buena Vista is 93 miles west of Colorado Springs and 35 miles south of Leadville on Hwy
24, and 25 miles north of Salida on Hwy 285.
WORTH A TRIP
ST ELMO
An old gold-mining ghost town tucked into the base of the Collegiate Peaks, St Elmo makes for a fun excursion.
The drive is the best part: the road wends its way past stands of redolent ponderosa pine, a wildlife-viewing
meadow and jagged peaks before petering out at what is Colorado's best-preserved ghost town.
Of course, it wasn't about the scenery back in the good ol' days. There was gold in this here creek! Most build-
ings were built in or around 1881: the schoolhouse, an old mercantile, and a miners exchange are among the best
kept of the bunch.
The only catch to this spectacular setting is that St Elmo is also a staging point for ATV and snowmobile enthu-
siasts, who follow the forest service road up to Tincup Pass. The revving of not-too-distant engines can take away
some of the charm, so try to avoid weekends.
If you've got the time and energy, you can continue on 5 miles to Hancock; the turnoff is just before St Elmo.
From here it's a 3-mile hike up to the
Alpine Tunnel
- a failed attempt to get a railroad through the mountain -
and amazing views from the Continental Divide. Ready to tackle it on bike? Sign up for a tour with Absolute
Bikes (
Click here
) in Salida.
If you want to have the place to yourself, stay the night: the
Ghost Town Guest House
( 719-395-2120;
www.ghosttownguesthouse.com
; r incl 2 meals $165-185; ) is a local B&B (really!), and there are three very
popular USFS campgrounds on the way up. They're all nice, but
Chalk Lake
( 877-444-6777;
www.recreation.gov
;
tent & RV sites $17 ; ) has a choice location with views of Mt Princeton. Reservations
are essential. Just before the turnoff to the campground is a parking lot for the
Agnes Vaille Trail
(on your right),
a short half-mile hike up to a waterfall. It's the perfect spot to stretch your legs.
St Elmo is on County Rd 162, 11.5 miles past Mt Princeton Hot Springs. The road turns to dirt about halfway
up. In summer it's not a problem, but in winter or muddy weather you'll probably want 4WD.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Twin Lakes
POP 171 / ELEV 9200FT
An alternative to staying in Leadville, Twin Lakes is a gorgeous historic mining camp set
on the shores of the largest glacial lakes in Colorado, at the base of the sinuous climb to
Independence Pass. Fed by steady stage-coach lines, this was log-cabin mining country in
the late 19th century, and a convenient rest stop between Aspen and Leadville. First called
