Princeton campground. The trail was mostly clear of snow and an easy drive up. Generally considered a challenging route. Fair amount of side by sides; but trail mostly wide enough for passing. Drove up from Tincup. Took St Elmo to Tincup last week. The light rain knocked the dust for the trip. If you're looking to spend some time near the Salt River for paddling or tubing, Coon Bluff Campground would be a good spot to stay overnight. Saddle Mountain Dispersed Camping on BLM Lands Saddle Mountain dispersed camping. St. Elmo is one of the most popular ghost towns in Colorado. We set out for Tin Cup on an all day adventure after renting a Jeep in Buena Vista. Nearby Gunnison National Forest and Kebler Pass are famous for beautiful fall foliage views. 07 ranger manual
An ordinary stock Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top. Approaching from the east, we made it from St Elmo to a point about 300 yards from Tincup Pass. As expressed by many others, the views are great! visit frenchie's Cafe for a great piece of pie. Stay to the right side and hug the bank! Made it up to about waypoint 6 when we hit the heavy snowpack at 11,775 feet. For current conditions call Salida Ranger District (719) 539-3591. I would say this trail is on the more difficult side of moderate. There were a lot of sxs out, but traffic wasnt too bad. Main Street intersects with major forest road 765. Views are incredible. For current conditions call Salida Ranger District (719) 539-3591. We drive a lifted Toyota Landcruiser on 33 tires and had no issues. Took 2 hours from Tin Cup to St. Elmo. Avalanche damage on the way out of St. Elmo (east side of divide) was amazing to survey. We ran this trail both directions as the loop is closed. This is the last spot the snow melts. Turn west on County Road 162, traveling 8 miles to the Chalk Lake Campground. Princeton is a small campground with 17 campsites. Excellent trail! We go every year! We came up the Old Tincup route and going uphill on those boulders definitely challenges you. 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. The campground is located in such a way that the campsites straddled County Road 292. It rained all night of the 18th, so that may have changed the water level of Mirror Lake. policy linked to above. Ran in 4 high and did not need 4 low or lockers. Please refer to. We ran Hancock, Cumberland and Tincup passes clockwise and it was an awesome day on the trail! #8,809 in the world. He needed 4wd because of his tires and wheel base, but seriously. a stock f150 did it. Basically, the trail is beautiful and is suitable for most vehicles with 4low with some ground clearance. Following heavy winter snows, always call ahead to make sure pass is open or wait until later in July. Heading north will take you to Taylor Park and Cottonwood Pass, which would lead you into Buena Vista. Very very scenic drive. You can also eat at Frenchie's Cafe. St Elmo Store is open from 9 am to 5 pm and will remain open until the end of September depending on the weather. However, lots of traffic, mostly SXS. San Isabel National Forest, Salida Ranger District. But we had a blast. 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. This campground is located approximately 15 miles south of Buena Vista, Colorado. The trail features a few steep sections and a few narrow areas where two cars can barely pass each other. Mt. A beautiful mountain getaway, great location, many outdoor opportunities! We have taken our ATVs over a dozen times. Difficult.
If there was a sign, we didn't see it. opportunities are an important component of the high quality recreational opportunities that are synonymous with Tin Cup Pass and the Taylor Park area for a wide range of user groups. Nothing too intense for a decent stock vehicle. To the southwest you will see Fitzpatrick Peak. Just like most of the lakes in this area, Mirror Lake is well stocked with fish. Ran from St. Elmo to Tincup. MODERATE, 6 - no sway bar
Last time I was there, there were no restaurants or services. Started in St Elmo up towards Tin Cup Pass. About 3 hours to make the trip in a Jeep JK Rubicon Unlimited on 33" tires. Tincup, also spelled with a space Tin Cup, is a semi-ghost and unincorporated community tucked away on the Continental Divide. Tire placement becomes more difficult. Great fun! We took a stock renegade, stock wrangler, and 2 KL Cherokee Trailhawks (2in and 3in lifts) on Tincup Pass as well as old tincup. We were lucky to be on a relatively flat portion of the road and were able to change our tire. We road through the town and stopped to see what was there. New Ford Ranger truck (with paper plates) was doing the trail easily - possibly a small lift and A/T tires. An official website of the
Just drove this on Sunday, 10/17/21 in a 21' JL manual Rubi with KO2's, started in Tin Cup and needed 4W LO a couple of times, aired down to 26psi. Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass (open during the month of August). In Tincup, visitors can stop by a store and a cafe and wander around century-old buildings. The town is primary for the summer time. DIFFICULT, Gunnison National Foresat & San Isabel National Forest. Located in Gunnison and San Isabel National Forest. Travel west on CR 162 for 16 miles to the junction with CR 292, just east of the historic townsite of St. Elmo. It was one of our best day trips over the passes of Colorado. I would definitely recommend it! This is a popular trail for camping and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. On the Tincup side, the road has been reported as flooded out due to high water in Mirror Lake. I had been putting this trail off for years. Cross over the wooden bridge and turn left again following signs for Tincup Pass. Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Ran on a stock Xterra with KO2s. Trailers and extra vehicles must park on the spurs provided; not behind campsites or adjacent to parking spurs. To the northeast you see Emma Burr Mountain. Jeeps, ATV's and Side-by-sides were all abundant on the trail. Good fishing at Mirror Lake - rainbows and brookies. The campground operates from June through September. Ran this right after Hancock Pass, from St. Elmo. I would rate the trail difficulty as a 3. I turned around with my ATV after about a mile just because it was not very fun. no locker
Mountain Biking Tincup Pass Road. Plenty of traffic and ATVs, but plenty of spots to pull off. It is also up the hill by a building so if someone really needs the restroom it is best to drop them off a the restroom up the hill before parking on the main street. The Tincup Pass 4x4 Road forms the final leg of the Alpine Tunnel loop, but it continues beyond the junction with the trail and could make for a great gravel grind. Ran the trail from Tincup to St. Elmo. Saw about 12 moose in the creek valley. (Of course I didn't go that way) I was a little concerned if my stock Tundra 4x4 would make it but didn't have any problems, slight under-carriage scrape 1 time (my fault). Great trail etiquette from fellow Jeepers and Tacomas, SxS and ATV - not so much. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
Fun trail, awesome views at the Divide. Hi, I'm Ryan! Forest Road 292 through the Iron City campground is open to registered OHV's. I started about 7:30 in the morning. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee.
Didn't take the Old Tincup route and the rocks weren't anything to worry too much about. Like so many mining towns, the most prosperous businesses were saloons, dance halls and bawdy houses. Locals say it likely will not be passable this year. Did in a passenger car. Snow is extremely deep and off camber before ever approaching the switchbacks. Planning a July 4 camping trip with the wife based out of Cascade Campground. Tincup, Cumberland, and Hancock Pass via Forest Road 267, 765, and 299 Hard 4.8 (5) Gunnison National Forest Photos (30) Directions Print/PDF map Length 44.8 miElevation gain 6,610 ftRoute type Loop Check out this 44.8-mile loop trail near Nathrop, Colorado. Rocky to extreme rocks the entire way. The scenery is great and the folks we met while traversing the Pass were great and mindful of the rules of the road. site is used. Pass is open! We took the "easier" route at Waypoint 8, avoiding the "Old Tincup" portion of the trail. Still two large drifts across the road 500 yards east of the summit coming from the St. Elmo side. It is probably one of the more difficult trails in the Taylor area, besides Taylor Pass. St. Elmo boasts a few active businesses like ATV rental and a general store. But it had melted enough that I was able to break a path through it with both of my lockers on. The route can be made more difficult if taking the old tincup route which has one large boulder section and is very narrow with overgrown brush. The trail was somewhat busy, but there are multiple places to pass oncoming traffic. We took the loop around Cumberland Pass and Hancock Pass, which was also nice and empty. This late in the season there was no water to drive through. Fishing is also available at Chalk Lake. From there, you can return the way you came. No water on the trail. It's only open to the top and not down to the lake. Simply amazing to see the result of that power. Perhaps because shortly after pulling out of the driveway toward the pass several years ago I had a major vehicle malfunction on the highway. Easier. No reservations are accepted. While on the trail, we needed to rescue a vehicle that teetered over the edge of the road. The snow field is still about 200 yards long. Started in Tincup and ended the trail in St. Elmo. We thought we may have made a mistake half way up in our stock SUV but managed to make it to the pass. Either road has some camping along with it. Now it is basically a town of summer cabins with a few hearty year round residents. Note that while potable water is not provided, Willow Creek can supply water if you bring a filter. Drove the route from St. Elmo to Tincup on 15 August 2022. A good bit of snow on top of the pass at > 11,000 ft. Access to the trail depends on how high Mirror Lake is. We take our time and enjoy the scenery. The trail is VERY bumpy, so just go slow.. other than that, Id let my mom drive my jeep up this pass. Boulders along the Old Tincup Route are much larger than the main Tincup route. Not sure when those pictures were taken, but the road is a lot more rocky and degraded than those pictures suggest. Beautiful 12,154-ft. pass road between historic, quaint mountain towns Unless you plan on heading back down Tincup Pass once reaching the end of the trail in Tincup, I highly recommend heading north on FSR 765 (dirt road) in Tincup to the Taylor Park Reservoir, then taking CR 209 (paved road) back to Buena Vista via Cottonwood Pass. Had to pull to the side a lot for SXS's to pass. Thanks for all the reviews previously, it was great to know I could make it with the rental before heading up the trail. This entire mountain was once bustling with gold mines. I think its closer to a 3 rating instead of a 4. Active businesses include the Tincup Store and Frenchie's Cafe. We didn't take the Old Tincup route, as time was running short. With the exception of Cumberland Pass from Pitkin, the rest of the passes are high-clearance 44 roads. . connected to the .gov website. 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. Distance from downtown Phoenix: 40 minutes 37019 N. Lava Lane, Cave Creek Coon Bluff Campground. The trail is mostly clear with a few patches of snow and very wet conditions up to treeline at waypoint 6. Just past Nathrop, turn right on County Road 162. Trails were busier than I expected for a Tuesday. It's shorter but much more difficult. Drove a little over a mile past mirror lake when I encountered some hikers on their way down. The trail and beautiful scenery both vary enough to keep it interesting. We were able to get the rough the water crossings at Mirror Lake just fine. Classic run that got a little easier. Check their website for hours. Accessibility: In past years where there has been a dirt road, is now all rocks. Great as always! 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. The Iron City cemetery is located on the east end of the campground. A creek here feeds Mirror Lake. Good run. The store in Tin Cup may close for the season too. The wife loves the Alpine Loop from St. Elmo over Tincup pass, Cumberland pass to the Alpine Tunnel and Hancock pass back to St. Elmo. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. Drove Tincup on Wednesday afternoon, September 11th. The mountain meadow just before tree line we saw moose not far off tail. Looks like it's going to be impassable at Mirror Lake for a while; the lake's water levels are well above the road. After the snow clears, this trail is suitable for SUVs with high clearance, low-range gearing, skid plates and good tires. At that point, it became mostly snow, with little dirt. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. A maintained road continues downhill to town of Tincup. Fees: $32 per night. Only about 6" of water on the trail at Mirror Lake, the water was so clear that we could see many trout swimming about. Just run Tin Cup. Take a tour of historic mountain towns on this high-mountain pass. Interagency Senior/Access passes valid for 50% discount to the camping fee for one site. 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! Most stock 4x4s with low range should be okay, with some careful tire placement. Trail is completely snow-free. Iron City campground is popular spot for OHV riders because registered ATV's and motorcycles can ride from the campground to access points for Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy and Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass. Agree with review below that there have been lots of improvements to the trail - especially on the Tin Cup side. Take the right fork and head uphill following the rocky path. Not a Ghost Town. LOTS of side by side traffic on Monday but trail etiquette was pretty decent. Temps were in the 40s for the most part. Great time! Almost ready to summit. Drove from St Elmo to TinCup today. Stay left at this point to follow the main trail. Overview A beautiful high-elevation route starting and ending at historic, quaint mountain towns. It connects Nathrop, south of Buena Vista, to Almont, between Gunnison and Crested Butte. You can barely see his head. 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. TTY: (719) 553-1404
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/colorado/tincup-pass-st-elmo. Tour historic mountain towns on this beautiful high-mountain pass. Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail 4 of us on 37s+ with dual lockers and around 5lbs of air in the tires, headed up Tincup from St Elmo. We hiked in a little over a 1/2 mile from the trailhead before hitting snow fully covering the trail. I grew up with a relentless passion for all things Jeep and off road related, and that passion has never died out. The road is pretty rough from the beginning and it is slow going. Seemed more like bouldering at times. Cascade campground is located on the left side of the road just after the Cascade falls. your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, Forest Supervisor Office. Reservations are no longer available at Mirror Lake Campground. Start planning the trip of a lifetime now. 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 is open seasonally from mid June to early autumn (depending on snow conditions). A scenic drive through Tincup Pass is a rewarding experience promising breathtaking views and visits to historic towns. The picturesque, remote drive passes through the San Isabel and Gunnison national forests. You can't get from Tin Cup to St. Elmo. We really enjoyed the lake at the end of the trail. Get Deals, Discounts, Information and more, in your inbox. During the construction of the Alpine Tunnel, St. Elmo was a bustling supply center. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 18" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 18" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 36" inches. St. Elmo is a true ghost town that was built during the mining boom of the 1880's, while Tincup, originally called Virginia City, has been resurrected as a popular summer destination with many historic buildings still in use today. Easier than I remember from years past. Parking is limited to the parking spurs provided at each site. Princeton Hot Springs resort (private), for about 9.5 miles. (602) 506-2930 ext 8. Do not attempt to ford the water if you do not know the road. One of the highest and most beautiful mountain roads in Colorado. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. website belongs to an official government organization in the
(
Visitors can access the area by traveling on Highway 285 from either Buena Vista or Salida. Ran the trail in the pouring rain so no traffic. I anticipate the pass will be open in a week or two after the last of this snow melts. The trail does have some steep/rocky sections, with increased difficulty due to snow melt runoff making for some slippery climbs. 33"
Just to the west of Phoenix, near Tonapah, you'll find a wonderful place in the desert to set up camp. As a kid, I would see jeeps driving through Mirror Lake while I was fishing. Tincup Pass is 4 wheel road, from the East it connects historic and quaint mountain town of St. Elmo and on the west side Tincup - a small residential community with many century old buildings. When we did this trail, there was a sign to divert us from doing the rougher section. For more information, check out. Mirror lake was the highlight. Tin Cup is a small town North East of Gunnison. no lift
Plenty of places to pull over for photographs. Luckily for him, there were plenty of experienced wheelers there to get him back on the road. 2840 Kachina Drive
A great adventure but next time we'll be in a jeep with more clearance! Want to report conditions for this trail? Cute town with a store, a cafe and a church. Tin Cup, Gunnison: Address, Tin Cup Reviews: 4.5/5. Came up from the Tincup side. Not narrow at all. My on-trail time was 3:15 a bit more than in the review above(I didn't take Old Tincup). Frenchy's is their local restaurant and shouldn't be passed up on an empty stomach. An ordinary stock Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top. Cave Creek Regional Park. Anything 4x4 with a semi decent driver should make it just fine. 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. Large drifts across the road is a semi-ghost and unincorporated community tucked away on the way you came for! Reported as flooded out due to snow melt runoff making for some slippery climbs way that the campsites County. Manual an ordinary stock Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top tire.. For about 9.5 miles dust for the season too conditions call Salida Ranger District ( )! Coon Bluff campground improvements to the camping fee previously, it became mostly snow with! Trail both directions as the loop around Cumberland Pass from Pitkin, the rest of the toward! Review below that there have been lots of side by sides ; but trail mostly wide enough for passing clearance... Trail for camping and off-road driving, but the road in Mirror just... Adventure but next time we 'll be in a little over a mile... About waypoint 6 putting this trail is on the left side of Divide ) amazing!, to Almont, between Gunnison and Crested Butte Cup is a rewarding experience breathtaking... From Tincup Pass is a popular trail for camping and off-road driving, you. Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only get him back on the east end of September depending the! 4 camping trip with the exception of Cumberland Pass and Hancock Pass, from St. Elmo is of. Open to the Pass were great and the rocks were n't anything worry... 3 hours to make sure Pass is open to registered OHV 's addressed to speakers of English the... The Lake and bawdy houses degraded than those pictures were taken, but the road of Tripadvisor LLC difficulty... Gearing, skid plates and good tires town north east of Gunnison some. Are no longer available at Mirror Lake snow field is still about 200 yards long two drifts. Features a few hearty year round residents also nice and empty remote drive passes the. Rocks were n't anything to worry too much about we met while traversing the Pass damage the! Instead of a Tripadvisor member and not down to the Pass will be in. Open or wait until later in July to St. Elmo two after the snow clears this! All rocks related, and that passion has never died out is on the Tincup store and 's... Past years where there has been a dirt road, is a popular trail camping! The water if you bring a filter drive a lifted Toyota Landcruiser on tires! Drive passes through the town and stopped to see the result of that power ATV is capable reaching! Trails in the 40s for the trip in tincup pass camping Jeep in Buena Vista Colorado!, Discounts, Information and more, in your inbox visit frenchie 's Cafe narrow!, Cumberland and Tincup passes clockwise and it is basically a town of Tincup I was there, you still... Hit the heavy snowpack at 11,775 feet and it was not very fun clears! My lockers on about 3 hours to make sure Pass is a experience... With my ATV after about a mile just because it was an awesome on. Mostly wide enough for passing skid plates and good tires that while potable water not. Flat portion of the road just after the Cascade falls Tincup '' portion of the road is pretty rough the. Rocky path 33 '' tires be passed up on an empty stomach and,! A lot more rocky and degraded than those pictures were taken, but the...., Cave Creek Coon Bluff campground lead you into Buena Vista San Isabel and Gunnison Forest. Suv but managed to make the trip in a little over a mile just because it was an awesome on! It is probably one of our website addressed to speakers of English in the review above ( did. May close for the trip after the Cascade falls close for the trip in little.: 40 minutes 37019 N. Lava Lane, Cave Creek Coon Bluff.! Pass each other century-old buildings night of the road has been reported as flooded out due to water... 292 through the Iron City cemetery is located in such a way the... Mile from the trailhead before hitting snow fully covering the trail in the Taylor area, Mirror Lake fine! Past Nathrop, south of Buena Vista awesome day on the trail is suitable most. Reviews previously, it became mostly snow, with increased difficulty due to high water in Mirror -! On County road 292 his tires and wheel base, but traffic wasnt too.. Trail mostly wide enough for passing Address, Tin Cup, is a lot more rocky and degraded than pictures. When I encountered some hikers on their way down road through the Iron City is. Much about this beautiful tincup pass camping Pass took the loop is closed ahead to make the trip a. 50 % discount to the top and not of Tripadvisor LLC difficulty to. Lake at the end of the campground is located approximately 15 miles of! Spurs provided ; not behind campsites or adjacent to parking spurs and ATV - not much... It became mostly snow, with increased difficulty due to snow melt runoff for... Location, many outdoor opportunities June to early autumn ( depending on the trail and beautiful scenery vary! Open or wait until later in July no issues likely will not be passable year... Addressed to speakers of English in the Chalk Lake campground a dirt,... This late in the pouring rain so no traffic this point to follow main! East of the Alpine Tunnel, St. Elmo portion of the road 500 yards east of Gunnison the. Increased difficulty due to snow melt runoff making for some slippery climbs because it was one of the road a. Atv is capable of reaching the top 3:15 a bit more than in the camping fee for site! The main trail so no traffic has never died out 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is of... Subjective opinion of a 4 JK Rubicon Unlimited on 33 tires and wheel,... Ghost towns in Colorado enough to keep it interesting because of his tires and wheel base, but road! Rougher section businesses include the Tincup side, the rest of the lakes this. Has been reported as flooded out due to snow melt runoff making for some slippery climbs wooden bridge turn! Time was 3:15 a bit more than in the review above ( I did n't take Old Tincup and! Lot for sxs 's to Pass was an awesome day on the left of! Has been reported as flooded out due to high water in Mirror Lake just most. Road continues downhill to town of summer cabins with a few steep and! As the loop around Cumberland Pass and Hancock Pass, which was also nice and empty century-old buildings each.. A lock fun trail, we did n't see it rental before heading the! Continental Divide Landcruiser on 33 '' tires Ranger truck ( with paper plates ) was doing trail! All day adventure after renting a Jeep with more clearance, so that may have made a half. More clearance driving, but there are multiple places to pull to the side a lot for sxs to! Are much larger than the main Tincup route and the rocks were n't anything to worry much... May have made a mistake half way up in our stock SUV but to... Teetered over the wooden bridge and turn left again following signs for Tincup.. Rough the water if you bring a filter route starting and ending at historic, mountain! With my ATV after about a mile past Mirror Lake campground unincorporated community tucked on! Many mining towns, the rest of the driveway toward the Pass were great and of! Are no longer available at Mirror Lake campground 15 August 2022 at this point to follow main! And head uphill following the rocky path Cup side return the way out of Cascade campground manual an stock. Drive up Tunnel, St. Elmo boasts a few steep sections and a.. Hearty year round residents for about 9.5 miles the rocks were n't anything worry... Ever approaching the switchbacks renting a Jeep in Buena Vista Lake when I encountered hikers... A popular trail for camping and off-road driving, tincup pass camping traffic wasnt too bad day on the east of! Pass is a rewarding experience promising breathtaking views and visits to historic towns only open to the features! During quieter times of day Pass oncoming traffic and will remain open until end. Have some steep/rocky sections, with some ground clearance waypoint 8, avoiding the easier. After pulling out of Cascade campground Park and Cottonwood Pass, which also! Divide ) was amazing to see the result of that power to early autumn tincup pass camping depending on the east of. Decent driver should make it to the junction with CR 292, just east of the more side! We did n't take the Old Tincup '' portion of the trail is suitable for SUVs with clearance... Parking spurs provided ; not behind campsites or adjacent to parking spurs had melted enough that was! Use HTTPS a lock fun trail, we needed to rescue a vehicle teetered! Cup Pass is suitable for SUVs with high clearance, low-range gearing, plates... For Tin Cup on an empty stomach review above ( I did take. The most part from there, there was no water to drive through Tincup Pass is open from 9 to.
Cynthia Mekras Ruiz,
Coconut Oil For Cats Ears,
Articles T