Salida Ranger District
Activities: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Motorcycle
Length: 6 miles
Season: 7/1-11/30
Elevation: 10,080 ft (3,079m)
Trail Begins: St Elmo.
Trail Ends: South Cottonwood Creek.
Elevation: 10,270 ft (3,137m)
Access: At St Elmo townsite, take County Rd. 267 (Tincup Pass Road) about 1/4 mile west to Co. Rd. 267A. Trail is about 1/10 mile in on this road.
South Cottonwood Creek. From Buena Vista, take the Cottonwood Pass Road, County Road 306, about 7 miles west to County Road 344. Take Co. Rd. 344 south and west about 6 miles to the unimproved road at the trail. No facilities are provided at the Trailheads.
Attractions: This is an especially scenic trail with outstanding views of the Sawatch Range and its 14,000-foot peaks. Deer, elk and mountain sheep may be seen from the trail. Rocky Mountain goats also range through this area.
There are good undeveloped campsites at either end of the trail near the trail heads. Campfires are allowed as long as they are never left unattended and are thoroughly extinguished before leaving.
Use: Moderate
Difficulty: More Difficult
USGS Maps: Mount Yale, St. Elmo
Considerations: Motorized trailbikes are permitted on this trail. Steep grades and loose rock and gravel can be encountered on trail tread. Extra care should be taken to avoid spinning wheels and cutting ruts. All users, whether hiking, biking or horseback riding, are requested to please respect the rights and safety of other users.
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