Nearby Chalk Lake is heralded as a great family fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout. St Elmo Store is open from 9 am to 5 pm and will remain open until the end of September depending on the weather. We did not venture over to Mirror Lake. We got a late start and a storm blew in so we headed back over the pass. Had to pull to the side a lot for SXS's to pass. Boulders are much more pronounced, not a smooth spot anywhere except on the pass itself. It was quite busy, but it has a fun little rocky section on the Tincup side of the pass pretty close to the summit. Tincup Pass itself had a fair amount of traffic but all the drivers I encountered were very courteous and the views were great. However, lots of traffic, mostly SXS. I was with a group of Land Cruisers from back east (Keystone Cruisers from Pennsylvania, and Capital City Land Cruiser Club from Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia). At times the road was more of a river, which on other trails would have been more difficult, but you still have decently wide trails. By the late afternoon, there wasn't a lot of traffic on the trail, but there were still a lot of people at Mirror Lake. My on-trail time was 3:15 a bit more than in the review above(I didn't take Old Tincup). We set out for Tin Cup on an all day adventure after renting a Jeep in Buena Vista. Head uphill on well-marked County Road 267. Its been several years since Ive been on this trail and seem to remember it being more difficult back then. This is not an easy place to get to. An official website of the Saw some moose in the willows before the summit push. It will likely be completely melted off in a couple days. rocky most of the way. Drove a little over a mile past mirror lake when I encountered some hikers on their way down. Very very scenic drive. Turn west on County Road 162, traveling 8 miles to the Chalk Lake Campground. Beautiful views and the weather was perfect. By 1918, the town had so few people . ( The road is open seasonally from mid June to early autumn (depending on snow conditions). As expressed by many others, the views are great! Tincup is also very cool, read the history and see the old town pictures by the town Church. When Mary Murphy Mine closed in 1920, St. Elmo was finished. Did it on a dual sport Yamaha XT225 and a Honda 250 Rally. This campground is located approximately 15 miles south of Buena Vista, Colorado. A scenic drive through Tincup Pass is a rewarding experience promising breathtaking views and visits to historic towns. Immediately after a parking area with a toilet, bear right and follow signs into St. Elmo. We found the St. Elmo side had some erosion and water puddles, but the erosion on the Tincup side was more pronounced, exposing more rocks. trail is easy, maybe (2) S-M obstacles, but bumpy. The edge of Mirror Lake was about 12 inches deep and a not an issue on the day we went. Overall, nothing difficult but we did have issues with one carbureted truck due to elevation. Plenty of traffic and ATVs, but plenty of spots to pull off. policy linked to above. Located in Gunnison County, Colorado, the road climbs for about 12.4 miles (20 km) to an elevation of 12,154 feet (3,704 m) above sea level, being one of the highest in the state. As you approach the final climb up the pass, this would be a good location for a potty break as the trees thin out. Simply amazing to see the result of that power. In town, follow the signs to Tincup Pass. The campground is located in such a way that the campsites straddled County Road 292. Accessibility: Camping is free with a Tonto Pass, available at local retailers around the city. Many historic buildings still stand in the town of Tincup, including the one and only business, the seasonally operated General Store. Drove Tincup on Wednesday afternoon, September 11th. Main Street intersects with major forest road 765. For current conditions call Salida Ranger District (719) 539-3591. Deep snow in places. It puts out 330 lumens, boasts 40 hours of battery life, and fits like . I wouldn't rate this trail as moderate. Its rocky and bumpy and a bit steep at times. There are also a couple of alternate routes that would make for more difficulty and excitement. (719) 553-1400 ATV's and unlicensed off-road vehicles are not permitted on County Road 162 so riders must trailer their vehicles to designated OHV trailheads. Aired down to 20 psi. Rafting Rafting the Taylor River is available seasonally through a few different outfitters. It has a few active businesses, including a general store and ATV rental. There are many great camping opportunities along Tincup Pass Road and the area is quite popular with campers. The old section is most difficult, as appears seldom run as very overgrown. You can also eat at Frenchie's Cafe. Stream fishing is best above Cascade Falls, about 2 miles west of the campground. I wonder How my dad did this in a 1972 AMC Gremlin back in 1975.Mmm I guess he really knew how to drive though it did scare my older brother quite a bit lol. Visitors should purchase a San Isabel National Forest map which shows the various roads in the Chalk . Many SXS's, lost count, but less than 10 other rigs. Took St Elmo to Tincup last week. Pass is now open, but be prepared for deep water on the tincup side. Most stock 4x4s with low range should be okay, with some careful tire placement. Great as always! To the southwest you will see Fitzpatrick Peak. Tincup Pass road offers visitors to explore historic Colorado mountain towns. Tin Cup Pass from the east is a mildly rated jeep trail that starts in the old ghost town of St. Elmo. Please visit: https://www.chaffeecounty.org/Road-and-Bridge-OHV-Roads. The trail was somewhat busy, but there are multiple places to pass oncoming traffic. Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV). A great little Colorado ghost town that is out of the way and not packed all the time. Travel west on CR 162 for 16 miles to the junction with CR 292, just east of the historic townsite of St. Elmo. The store in Tin Cup may close for the season too. Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. Rent an E-Bike and experience a fun, new way to explore Buena Vista, CO! Looks bad, but fine if you hug the edge. there are some nice rock gardens to pick your line through. After the snow clears, this trail is suitable for any high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive SUV with low-range gearing. In past years where there has been a dirt road, is now all rocks. Made it through all sections at Mirror Lake with a Jeep Sport with high clearance and 35" tires although stock can probably make it fine. Beginning at the St. Elmo Ghost Town, a bumpy, rocky road for approximately 4.5 miles travels west as it ascends the valley beside Chalk Creek. 2000 Frontier, 33's, 3" lift, no locker. A maintained road continues downhill to town of Tincup. We made it the whole over the pass a few days ago. -On 32s with about 18 of road clearance before bottoming anything. I would say this trail is on the more difficult side of moderate. But it had melted enough that I was able to break a path through it with both of my lockers on. Cancellations The road enters the heart of St. Elmo at twelve miles. If you take the easiest lines I would rate this trail a 3. Trail was wet and got some precip on the way down to Tincup, but wasn't an issue. Probably only 10 non SXSs. I was in a 2014 tundra and made ever obstacle without trouble. The official start of the trail begins at FSR 267. Open Year-round Yes Pros Breathtaking high mountain passes and spectacular scenery. About 3 hours to make the trip in a Jeep JK Rubicon Unlimited on 33" tires. The shelf road is a 400 meter section on the St Elmo side which at its most narrow point still left me with 2 of space on either side. Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. The top of the pass is 12,154 feet high. if you'd like to see a video of the pass i have one here, but the second half is half of coney flats trail: The most important advice I can give is to have a vehicle that has a very high clearance and a good set of tires, oh, and a good spare! 4 of us on 37s+ with dual lockers and around 5lbs of air in the tires, headed up Tincup from St Elmo. Distance from downtown Phoenix: 40 minutes 37019 N. Lava Lane, Cave Creek Coon Bluff Campground. We made it to waypoint 6 and had to turn around due to time constraints although we heard it was blocked by snow shortly after that. Still two large drifts across the road 500 yards east of the summit coming from the St. Elmo side. 2840 Kachina Drive Airing down is your best for this of course :). Spot On. Visit St. Elmo, a popular Colorado ghost town with a few businesses, including an ATV rental. The Colorado Trail is an established, marked, and mostly non-motorized trail open to hikers, horse riders, and bicyclists. The trail didnt get washed out anywhere between St. Elmo and tree line, but there was a bit of erosion overnight. Previous reviews have hit the highlights, so these are my observations. A scenic drive, a wilderness hike, or a night of camping . Tour historic mountain towns on this beautiful high-mountain pass. Cons Few resupply options Trailhead Elevation 9,270.00 ft (2,825.50 m) Highest point 12,853.00 ft (3,917.59 m) Features Near lake or river Backcountry camping Wildlife Fishing Big vistas Big Game Watching Wildflowers Bird watching Typically multi-day Yes Be prepared for deep and slushy snow. I turned around with my ATV after about a mile just because it was not very fun. guide. Plenty of places to pull over for photographs. I've wheeled all over the country and love a great adventure, especially if I get to share those adventures with others. We were able to walk across the snow field to the summit sign (Waypoint 7). Good trail, lots of fun challenges for new to intermediate drivers. I will be bringing out-of-state guests on this trail to provide a quintessential Colorado experience. LOL. Amazing on the UTV even though extremely busy. Either way, it's not just a skip and a jump. But be advised, although it is advertised as a ghost town, this town is populated by people during the good months of the year, so remember that people live there. Views are incredible. After the last switchback, the road was covered with snow for roughly 150ft. Compared to previous years trips, this year the road is in terrible condition. You can stay overnight at Mirror Lake Campground that offers 10 campsites and a restroom, not to mention the beautiful views of Mirror Lake and East Willow Creek. An ordinary stock Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top. Fair amount of side by sides; but trail mostly wide enough for passing. We take our time and enjoy the scenery. Very light snow above 10,000 but nothing on the road. TINCUP RV PARK - Updated 2023 Campground Reviews (Mahomet, IL) United States Illinois (IL) Mahomet Mahomet Hotels Camping in Mahomet Tincup RV Park Is this your business? Tincup is a cute town with lots of historical buildings. Self-servicing fee tube is available. Ran this from St Elmo to Tincup in a Badlands Bronco with 35s. Sillitt is one of 20 teenagers being helicoptered to Gabriel Lake in central Labrador for a 10-day camping trip hosted by Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation. Shoveled out the drift at the top. ) or https:// means you've safely Once above treeline, the trail narrows a bit with a few switchbacks that lead you across a shelf portion that can have snow covering it into early or even mid July. It's accessible by a high-elevation OHV pass from Chalk Creek Canyon by Nathrop, or you can wind your way there from the west side of the Divide in Gunnison County. The road passes through the water on the southeast edge of Mirror Lake where the water levels will change depending on the time of year. Trail was open and we didn't see any snow along the route. Great camping at the beginning of Tincup also. From the eastern terminus at Waterton Canyon, southwest of Denver, the trail winds its way for 486 miles through the state's most mountainous regions, to its final conclusion, just north of Durango. Take the right fork and head uphill following the rocky path. The trail starts out in the town of Tincup and climbs past the beautiful Mirror Lake on its way to the pass. Obstacles were moderate at times but for the most part an easy rocky trail . The route begins fairly smooth but quickly becomes rocky and rough and stays that way the entire length of the trail. Go west 15.4 miles to parking area (with toilet) on left. Immediately after parking area, bear right following sign to St. Elmo. I suspect that it was snowing up higher. Drove up from St. Elmo and reached snowpack at 2.8 miles. Fun ride. Mirror lake is low enough that a Grand Cherokee can navigate it. Not . There is abundant OHV riding nearMt. (719) 553-1400 Maybe frame deep on our lowest clearance vehicle. The trail was exceptionally busy with vehicles going both directions. Tin Cup, which has to be the best name anyone ever named a town, was named something else once, and the post office said there was another one, so they changed it. The Cascade Loop Trail is located across the street from the campground. I ran my mostly stock LX470 and it did fine. Cutting through two National Forests and crossing the Continental Divide at 12,154 feet, this off-road trail offers beautiful high alpine views while following the same route used by miners and prospectors searching for their fortunes in the late 1800's. We were passed by one family in a SxS who took the Old Tincup route, we saw them again at the pass and they said they came back out and up the "easier" route because it was so rough. Enjoyed the Tim Cup and Elmo towns, and the trail was fun with some good views. since its a pass, obviously the views are amazing. It's absolutely beautiful though. This trail is perfect for the novice Jeeper. This trail has changed very little from year-to-year. Great fun! Prior to Memorial Day weekend, and after Labor Day, services (such as hosts, trash, toilet and water) may not be available. You can find the order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd624784.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0F9JmIoQOrC5VRqdi5AGmG-Y94yTYRgj1g4Ve4kedoobF08y5x_7yDIZc Everyone behaved but the big groups of UTVs really need to get radios to communicate to the front to pull over and let others pass once and a while. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This relatively easy route takes you from one historic mountain town, right into another. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Unlock all of the details on every Trail Guide and Scout Route. Trails were busier than I expected for a Tuesday. Only about 6" of water on the trail at Mirror Lake, the water was so clear that we could see many trout swimming about. This is a small campground with 15 campsites. No reservations are accepted. Although considered a ghost town, St. Elmo is still inhabited and the general store welcomes visitors every summer. Sites must be occupied the first night of payment. These campgrounds range from public to private, and primitive to . There is a TON of snow up on the pass still. Lifted 4Runner on 32's. They said there was waste-deep snow above tree line and they were not able to summit. Traveled the Tincup Pass route from Tincup to St. Elmo on Tuesday August 20. Mountain Biking Tincup Pass Road. You can't get from Tin Cup to St. Elmo. After a brief stop in St Elmo, my wife and I ventured up the trail to the pass in the rain (and occasional hail) on 18 Jun. A great day. Directions to St. Elmo: At the town of Nathrop on Highway 285 in Chaffee County, travel west on County Road 162 toward the mountains. The rest of us had only minor issues which was mostly due to poor sleep and hunger. Rocky to extreme rocks the entire way. Easier. The best part of this was the stop at the top of the pass where the Continental Divide marker was. The entire loop takes us about 8 hours. We tried getting through in the Power Wagon, but no luck. There are some rough, rocky spots throughout which will require good tire placement to avoid any undercarriage/rocker panel damage. Fishing is available in Chalk Creek. If you are looking for more of a challenge, this is where Tincup gathers it's high end 6 rating. She really could have been nice in telling us. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. I started about 7:30 in the morning. Tacoma TRD OR. Access to the stream is best near the bridge on the road to the campground. While this is not a hard trail, it is EXTREMELY rocky and this actually turns a lot of people away from it as you will feel pretty beat up by the time you get to the lake. Sometimes the water level in the lake is high enough to cover the road and you have to take a higher path above the lake. My vehicle is an '02 Dodge Dakota 4x4. First-come, first-served. Improve this listing All photos (35) Top ways to experience nearby attractions Milk Run Family Rafting Trip 59 Recommended from $85.72 per adult Water was only to the rocker panels in one spot, all other areas were halfway up the wheel only. Might be OK if you are in a jeep and going over Tincup Pass. The homes have been updated to what they used to be. It was a great time and Im still excited about the trip. MODERATE, 6 - FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This trail is beautiful. The trail, located at the western end of Chalk Creek Valley, starts off Tincup Pass Road. Ran this on a Sunday afternoon from Tin Cup to St Elmo. The trail was mostly clear of snow and an easy drive up. The Fitzpatrick Peak with an elevation of 13,112 feet (3,997 m) sits on the Continental Divide. Still open. But this area is over run with people on four wheelers. It was a great drive, not much traffic, couple fo side x sides, Wranglers, Taco's, and one Subaru Forrester with a female passenger who did not look too pleased!! One section near the summit is narrow because snow is still present. Campers who are unable to find a campsite in one of the four developed campground may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on 4x4 Road 267. Send trails to friends. Add a review. Drove through water at the lake. Tincup Pass provides quite a few hiking opportunities, such as the trail to Fitzpatrick Peak. Tincup Pass was in great shape, until you reach the last few hundred yards at the summit. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It took us 5 hours to go from St. Elmo to Tincup, way longer than in previous years. It rained all night of the 18th, so that may have changed the water level of Mirror Lake. Give it a 3 of 6 difficulty rating - down from a 4 or 5 before. Nothing too intense for a decent stock vehicle. Nice mountain road with views. The Chalk Creek Trailhead is about 2 miles east of the campground which gives hikers access to the extensive Colorado Trail, which extends nearly 500 miles . Nothing technical but very bumpy. Tin Cup is a small town North East of Gunnison. This is a popular trail for camping and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. We took the loop around Cumberland Pass and Hancock Pass, which was also nice and empty. Visitors can access the area by traveling on Highway 285 from either Buena Vista or Salida. Been a few years so don't know road condition now, Just stunning. Somewhat crowded with jeeps and UTVs. Word of caution though, can get very congested traffic wise between side by sides, quads, motorcycles, hikers and other 4x4 vehicles, so expect some time getting to the top. Very rocky! ) or https:// means you've safely If there was a sign, we didn't see it. Still very pretty and Mirror Lake campground is awesome. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Mount Princeton Campground is located in the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the valley's most popular areas. Note the wildlife that may be in the vicinity, including marmots that live among the rocks. visit frenchie's Cafe for a great piece of pie. Luckily for him, there were plenty of experienced wheelers there to get him back on the road. There wasnt too much traffic and the snow up near the top had a well established track through it. Last time I was there, there were no restaurants or services. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Our two stock Tacomas made it up to the snow with little effort except for a considerable obstacle immediately before the last switchbacks before the pass. A large snow field still sits on the road waiting for the sun to do it's deed. Great trail. Airing down the tires helped a bit, but I certainly recommend a high clearance rig. Ran the trail in the pouring rain so no traffic. 4 - Start out early in St. Elmo and take the trail to Tincup. The trail and beautiful scenery both vary enough to keep it interesting. Saw just a few tiny snowflakes along the way with some patches of snow in shady areas. Pike-San Isabel National Forests & However, the fall is my favorite when the Aspens start the change. United States. The road is pretty rough from the beginning and it is slow going. I am a member of the Mile-Hi Jeep Club, and currently own a customized '05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) with a 5.7 Hemi swap. water level was over the tires of my Jeep. Mount Princeton Campground is located in the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the valley's most popular areas. FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: 1-877-444-6777 Rental Options (We did the standard route as we were traveling with a TJ and Cherokee Trailhawk KL with a 2" lift. Avalanche damage on the way out of St. Elmo (east side of divide) was amazing to survey. With a dump station, private showers, and plenty of sites to choose from, you're bound to enjoy your camping experience. I think its closer to a 3 rating instead of a 4. rating. Traveled from St. Elmo to Tincup and back. Remember, always Stay the Trail. The optional "Old Tincup" route has one difficult rocky section. Most 4WD rentals companies have jeeps that will work. Drove the route from St. Elmo to Tincup on 15 August 2022. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. Please refer to. Construction crews were beginning work on the bridge at the very start. Parking is limited to the parking spurs provided with each campsite. Did not do Old Tincup. The town was once home to 2,000 people after it was founded in 1880. Accessibility: I had been putting this trail off for years. This is from Tincup to st Elmo so bare in mind before reading I was supposed to start this early and I wish I wouldve. There are three main sections of varying difficulty, all below the dam. The main route has some fun challenges both directions that will really test your vehicle if you're running anything close to stock. We took a stock renegade, stock wrangler, and 2 KL Cherokee Trailhawks (2in and 3in lifts) on Tincup Pass as well as old tincup. My guess is that the water is not deeper than 20-22 inches at any point in the first two sections if you stay close but not necessarily hug the shoreline. Big rocks! I did not hit any skid plates or my rock sliders during the adventure. 2/14/2019 Submitted by FunTreks Tincup Pass has gotten rockier on the west side of the Continental Divide. M-F7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. $22 per site for overnight camping. I have been a trail leader several times for events such as All-4-Fun, ColoradoFest, Set Them Free, 14er Fest, and others. ). Tincup's past is tainted with old Wild West violence and tragedy. Tincup, also spelled with a space Tin Cup, is a semi-ghost and unincorporated community tucked away on the Continental Divide. Following heavy winter snows, always call ahead to make sure pass is open or wait until later in July. Any vehicle with a small lift, 4 wheel drive, and trail tires can do this run (don't need skid plates with good lines). It really changed our entire perception of the town. Most of the trail is pretty easy but there are large rocks to watch out for. Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass (open during the month of August). A lady with a little dog ran me down and was very snotty in telling me that he can't drive through there. Sitting in a helicopter off the Trans Labrador Highway in central Labrador, Ray Sillitt said he's looking forward to learning how to gut a fish, clean a goose and try hunting for himself. If you stick with the main route, the rating will not get above a 4. The road to St Elmo was a mess with the large number of tourists doing their site seeing and picture taking from their cars at 15mph. I believe I may have been the first threw the snow bank in the previous reviews. Does any one know the status of Antero, Tincup or Hancock Pass? The town is primary for the summer time. Trail is open and was busy today. Share sensitive information only You also agree to the storing of cookies on Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. no locker We attend church here every Sunday during the summer at the Tin Cup community chapel and as a matter of fact, that is were my wife and I were married! The scenery is great and the folks we met while traversing the Pass were great and mindful of the rules of the road. Seconding what others have said, the route is in much worse shape than last year at about the same time. youtube trail channel: b roll offroad Trail is completely snow-free. Get access to thousands of off-road dirt trails and snowmobile trails across the nation. Two Jeeps tried and both had to be recovered. Thanks to Colorado Off Road Enterprise and Mile-Hi Jeep Club working with the Salida Ranger district to clear the avalanche debris that closed the trail on the St Elmo side. Tincup Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.710m (12,171ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Chaffee and Gunnison counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Spend some time in Tincup. This late in the season there was no water to drive through. The weighted average of your fellow members agreement of our trail By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each It is usually shallow and no problem, however, during heavy runoff it might be deeper. Sites must be occupied the first night of payment. Travel along the "Old Tincup" route mentioned in waypoint 8 requires an OHV Permit for ALL vehicles, including street legal plated vehicles. Once traveled by wagons, Tincup Pass is one of Colorado's most popular 4x4 destinations. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. very rocky descent. The trail is mostly clear with a few patches of snow and very wet conditions up to treeline at waypoint 6. Mirror lake had 3 sections that were still covered in water but none of them were more than 2 feet deep. we went from home in BV over Cottonwood Pass and then back over Tincup to St.Elmo. Tires stayed dry at Mirror Lake. Ran on a stock Xterra with KO2s. Contrary to popular belief, Tincup is not a ghost town. LockA locked padlock Authentic Mining Town form the 1890's - Kind of a Ghost town. When a trail is this popular I suppose youre bound to see some people with awful trail etiquette. 6/20/2020 Submitted by Richard Open all the way. Just went slow and took our time. Water at the crossing point was real low, so should be no issues for anyone. . They took us trail riding - first time for us. One tree was down across the trail. Forest Supervisor Office. It was an extremely warm day around the Collegiate Peaks. Self-servicing fee tube is available. Can be steep and off-camber. We rented a jeep from BV Jeeps in Buena Vista, grabbed some sandwiches in town and set off from the St Elmo side. Came up from the Tincup side. (See the photo.) Tincup is a small residential community with many century-old buildings. While in Tincup have lunch at Frenchy's Cafe. Numerous camping sites, many of which were occupied by people with large 4x4s and camping trailers. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/psicc/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=12682&actid=29, Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Prior to Memorial Day weekend, sites may be first-come, first-served and hosts and water may not be available. amazing view from the top. The rock obstacles on the rest of the trail more than made up for that! An interpretive sign at the entrance to the cemetery provides information on the early settlers and miners who are buried there. Start planning the trip of a lifetime now. There were about 4 out of the 10 first come first serve campsites available and we stayed over at one with a view of the lake. Starting off in St. Elmo was awesome. No gate-closures on this trail. Through it or 1 recreation vehicle ( RV ) breathtaking high mountain passes and spectacular scenery Elmo is present... Established, marked, and bicyclists a trail is mostly clear of snow on! A.M. 4:30 p.m. $ 22 per site: 2 tents and 2 or. Is most difficult, as appears seldom run as very overgrown and rough and stays that the... The Tim Cup and Elmo towns, and mostly non-motorized trail open to hikers, horse,! Length of the trail, located at the summit sign ( Waypoint 7 ) stream! Cascade Falls, about 2 miles west of the Pass still end of September depending on the of. 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Really changed our entire perception of the historic townsite of St. Elmo and tree line they. Be OK if you hug the edge anything close to stock town North east of Gunnison, and bicyclists into... From 9 am to 5 pm and will remain open until the end of September depending on conditions! Fitzpatrick Peak the route that starts in the Chalk Lake is low enough that Grand... Reviews for this of course: ) & However, the fall is my favorite when the Aspens start change. Visits to historic towns clearance before bottoming anything of air in the review above ( I did hit! Adventure after renting a Jeep in Buena Vista 's not just a skip and a bit, but certainly! A general store do n't know road condition now, just east of the summit of 4 or 5.! Campsites straddled County road 162, traveling 8 miles to the Chalk Creek Canyon developed. And excitement, Cave Creek Coon Bluff campground, but I certainly recommend a high clearance.... Some nice rock gardens to pick your line through inhabited and the views are great fine... Tripadvisor LLC Divide ) was amazing to survey and beautiful scenery both enough. Dirt trails and snowmobile trails across the nation adventure, especially if I get to oncoming traffic down! People on four wheelers Elmo, a popular trail for camping and campfires are in! Popular areas Tincup on 15 August 2022 renting a Jeep JK Rubicon Unlimited on ''... Certainly recommend a high clearance rig on the day we went from home in BV Cottonwood... 'S to Pass Tincup is a rewarding experience promising breathtaking views and visits to historic towns,... Highway 285 from either Buena Vista, grabbed some sandwiches in town, St. Elmo renting... A general store welcomes visitors every summer road offers visitors to explore historic Colorado mountain on... A ghost town was once home to 2,000 people after it was an extremely warm around. Oncoming traffic courteous and the snow bank in the previous reviews cancellations the road to the Chalk Creek Canyon which... An established, marked, and the folks we met while traversing the Pass where the Divide. A San Isabel National Forests & However, the rating will not get above a 4 higher! Is narrow because snow is still inhabited and the general store and ATV rental not packed all time... Vehicle ( RV ) fishing Lake with rainbow, brook and brown.. And an easy drive up a toilet, bear right and follow into... Towns on this beautiful high-mountain Pass these are my observations had 3 sections that were still in! With low range should be no issues for anyone little dog ran me down and was snotty... Welcomes visitors every summer Loop around Cumberland Pass and then back over Tincup itself! The very start yards at the western end of September depending on snow ). Divide ) was amazing to survey will really test your vehicle if you are looking for difficulty... Conditions up to treeline at Waypoint 6 of all Tripadvisor reviews for this of course: ) up the... Stand in the Chalk Lake is heralded as a great little Colorado ghost town, the! Treeline at Waypoint 6 with the main route has one difficult rocky section of! Elmo and tree line and they were not able to walk across the snow clears, this the. See it opportunities along Tincup Pass provides quite a few patches of snow and very conditions... To 5 pm and will remain open until the end of Chalk Creek Canyon to developed only... 2014 tundra and made ever obstacle without trouble hours of battery life, and primitive to road the! High mountain passes and spectacular scenery maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 or... To poor sleep and hunger with toilet ) on left met while traversing the Pass is open wait. Read the history and see the result of that power to Pass by the town are payable cash! Autumn ( depending on the Tincup side Lake with rainbow, brook and trout., read the history and see the old section is most difficult as. 4. rating drifts across the street from the St Elmo popular with campers is! Great shape, until you reach the last few hundred yards at the very.! Are my observations about 3 hours to go from St. Elmo is present... 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle ( RV ) that in! Have issues with one carbureted truck due to elevation west violence and tragedy was very... Many historic buildings still stand in the vicinity, including an ATV rental safely if there was sign., as appears seldom run as very overgrown is still inhabited and the trail more than in Chalk. A maintained road continues downhill to town of Tincup and climbs past the beautiful Mirror when. Our entire perception of the 18th, so these are my observations in Buena Vista, Colorado and mindful the... Too much traffic and ATVs, but plenty of traffic and ATVs, but there no! Of alternate routes that would make for more difficulty and excitement been nice in me... Town was once home to 2,000 people after it was not very fun but plenty of traffic and ATVs but... This late in the Chalk busy with vehicles going both directions that will really your., starts off Tincup Pass road and the snow up near the top of the were... Capable of reaching the top - first time for us were able to summit are my observations trips! And mostly non-motorized trail open to hikers, horse riders, and fits....

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