tincup pass camping

The declining mining industry of the 1920s, and the discontinued railroad service drastically changed the town, and by 1952, even the postal service was discontinued. Don't say it is to the locals. since its a pass, obviously the views are amazing. Had to pull to the side a lot for SXS's to pass. Fun day! Amazing on the UTV even though extremely busy. St. Elmo was settled in 1878 and grew to a population of about 2,000. Its rocky and bumpy and a bit steep at times. Get Deals, Discounts, Information and more, in your inbox. $8.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. Interagency Senior/Access passes valid for 50% discount to the camping fee for one site. There is also fat biking here on groomed snow mobile trails. Excellent trail! I did not hit any skid plates or my rock sliders during the adventure. Do not attempt to ford the water if you do not know the road. The trail features a few steep sections and a few narrow areas where two cars can barely pass each other. Other than that it gets rocky as shit with some technical spots along the way but nothing unbearable just be ready for stupid slow and getting tossed around. I saw at least 20 vehicles make it all the way thru - stock and utvs. ATV's and unlicensed off-road vehicles are not permitted on County Road 162 so riders must trailer their vehicles to designated OHV trailheads. Pine Ridge RailcarQuiet & Secluded with Amazing ViewsMinutes to Pitkin, View all hotels near Tin Cup on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Curecanti National Recreation Area, Hotels near Western State Colorado University, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Gunnison, Colorado Adventure Rentals - Snowmobile & ATV, Shuttle Bus from Guatemala City to Antigua, ATV Quad Bike and Zip Line Adventure Tour (Departs Nadi), Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon Night-Time Tour with Pick-Up from Montego Bay, Take a Scottsdale/Valley Tour in a Retro Party Bus - Old Town/Scottsdale, St. Petersburg Jungle Prada Site History Tour, Budapest: Unlimited 4G/LTE Internet in Hungary & EU with mobile WiFi hotspot, Cartagena - Barranquilla - Santa Marta excursion. Neat trail with lots of history - starting in St.Elmo the road goes through many different levels of terrain. Mirror lake was flooded still, but never more than 30". Mount Princeton Campground is located in the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the valley's most popular areas. There were a lot of sxs out, but traffic wasnt too bad. No showers or electrical hookup are available. Heading south will take you over Cumberland Pass into Pitkin, past the, Camping on the Pitkin side of the pass has been reevaluated as of May 2017. I have done this trail in a stock CJ-5 a few times. Made it up to about waypoint 6 when we hit the heavy snowpack at 11,775 feet. 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. Looks bad, but fine if you hug the edge. Tin Cup (Gunnison) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Cancellations I haven't been up Tincup Pass since I was a kid on the way to Mirror Lake for camping and fishing. A lot of the time you will have to ford through the lake. 8. I've wheeled all over the country and love a great adventure, especially if I get to share those adventures with others. Beautiful Autumn views on the St Elmo side of the pass. I got off to walk around and my son drove through a little parking area to meet me. This is an old mining town. This landscape reveals a thriving community of plants, animals, and human stories that echo throughout this desert preserve, chronicling thousands of years of desert living. The snow field is still about 200 yards long. No visit to Tincup is complete without a stop at the Tincup General Store. 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. It took us 5 hours to go from St. Elmo to Tincup, way longer than in previous years. Stay left at this point to follow the main trail. website belongs to an official government organization in the Deep snow in places. This trail is perfect for the novice Jeeper. I would definitely recommend it! One of the highest and most beautiful mountain roads in Colorado. Share sensitive information only 2/14/2019 Submitted by FunTreks Tincup Pass has gotten rockier on the west side of the Continental Divide. I had been putting this trail off for years. Ran this as our final trip of the day after running Hancock and Cumberland first. Princetoncampground. Ran in 4 high and did not need 4 low or lockers. You also agree to the storing of cookies on Be prepared for deep and slushy snow. We were able to get the rough the water crossings at Mirror Lake just fine. You'll cross a ledge road just before the pass. The impatient driver tried to pass in a narrow spot and put both passenger side wheels over the edge. Someone has laid some logs as a barrier at Old Tincup Road so I am not sure if it has gotten worse and that was done to indicate that? The mountain meadow just before tree line we saw moose not far off tail. The edge of Mirror Lake was about 12 inches deep and a not an issue on the day we went. St. Elmo is one of the most popular ghost towns in Colorado. Along the way, it passes through eight mountain ranges, six National Forests, and six wilderness areas. The store in Tin Cup may close for the season too. The old section is most difficult, as appears seldom run as very overgrown. After pass the path ceases to be a road but a rocky area with no defined borders. Official websites use .gov A .gov Take a tour of historic mountain towns on this high-mountain pass. We have a 3.5 lift on 35s with 1200 lbs of extra gear on our rack since we are an overlanding rig. 4 wheel Low entire trail. Drove a little over a mile past mirror lake when I encountered some hikers on their way down. Mirror lake also makes for a nice spot to stop and have lunch or to stretch you legs out. Afternoon rain showers greeted our trip back to Buena Vista. If you stick with the main route, the rating will not get above a 4. At that point, it was easily 4'-5' deep. Cute town with a store, a cafe and a church. In the middle of town, turn right and follow signs to Tincup Pass. Agree with review below that there have been lots of improvements to the trail - especially on the Tin Cup side. Perhaps because shortly after pulling out of the driveway toward the pass several years ago I had a major vehicle malfunction on the highway. Coming down from the summit encountered more snow on the trail. Did it on a dual sport Yamaha XT225 and a Honda 250 Rally. Continue moving downhill as the two routes merge once again. St Elmo Store is open from 9 am to 5 pm and will remain open until the end of September depending on the weather. A large snow field still sits on the road waiting for the sun to do it's deed. more, Ghost and Murder Tour provided by Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours, Browns Canyon Sizzler 6-Hour Whitewater Rafting Experience from Buena Vista, Browns Canyon National Monument Whitewater Rafting. Steeper portions are eroded with many exposed rocks, but nothing I was unable to transit with a stock Wrangler. Other than that it was pretty quiet and took me just under 2 hours. Map Information. Good trail, lots of fun challenges for new to intermediate drivers. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The rain got heavy and turned to heavy hail. At a Glance General Information Directions: From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 285 south for 7 miles to County Road 162. The road to the summit is totally unpaved. Tire placement becomes more difficult. Then road reappears and nice trip into lake and finally Tincup. Thanks for all the reviews previously, it was great to know I could make it with the rental before heading up the trail. Fun trail, awesome views at the Divide. An ordinary stock Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top. We smartly decided to head back the way we came and were glad we did when we read about the backside to the town of Tin Cup was more difficult. 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!! Many historic buildings still stand in the town of Tincup, including the one and only business, the seasonally operated General Store. The road is pretty rough from the beginning and it is slow going. Even on the road, there will be places that are better suited for high clearance or 4 wheel drive. Pueblo, CO 81008 Saw some moose in the willows before the summit push. LOL. I would rate the trail difficulty as a 3. Please be sure to stay on the trail and drive over snow drifts and not around them at all. Anything 4x4 with a semi decent driver should make it just fine. Fishing is also available at Chalk Lake. Head south on Highway 285 for 6 miles. At 12,154 feet, you pass over the Continental Divide, leaving San Isabel National Forest and enter Gunnison National Forest. The trail didnt get washed out anywhere between St. Elmo and tree line, but there was a bit of erosion overnight. 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. Not sure when those pictures were taken, but the road is a lot more rocky and degraded than those pictures suggest. In 1882 and 1883, both the marshal - and the marshal who replaced him - were gunned down while enforcing the law. The plan was to extend the day on other trails once we arrived in St. Elmo. Camping is free with a Tonto Pass, available at local retailers around the city. Very very scenic drive. The trail was exceptionally busy with vehicles going both directions. Note the wildlife that may be in the vicinity, including marmots that live among the rocks. 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. MODERATE, 6 - Tin Cup, Gunnison: Address, Tin Cup Reviews: 4.5/5. Watch for moose. It is located near the historic townsite of St. Elmo. Tincup is a small residential community with many century-old buildings. Turn around if snow blocks the road and come back another day. However, lots of traffic, mostly SXS. Almost ready to summit. Most of the bypasses around obstacles are just as bad as the main route. Fees: $32 per night. The ghost town of St. Elmo was busy with visitors. United States. It's beautiful up here. Forest Supervisor Office. We did it from St. Elmo to Tincup. United States government. 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. No problems with the trail. Not . Interagency Senior/Access passes valid for 50% discount to the camping fee for one site. 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. Dispersed Camping closures on Tincup pass and in Irwin area. Up on top the wind had picked up (of course). The cemetery is unique make time to explore it. Didn't confirm it ourselves. Jeeps, ATV's and Side-by-sides were all abundant on the trail. In the center of town, turn north and follow the sign for Tincup Pass. Had my passenger side entering willows and my driver side 1/2 from these terribly parked Jeeps as I squeezed by. Sign at trailhead says "Tracked Vehicles Only". St. Elmo is a nice stop, but note the restroom is grose. Recommended rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, and Hancock Lakes. During the summer there is one general store with limited provisions but you have to get either a t-shirt or a hat that says Tin Cup on it, because really, you know everyone is going to ask you about it. The best times to visit this trail are March through October. Cascade campground is located on the left side of the road just after the Cascade falls. As a kid, I would see jeeps driving through Mirror Lake while I was fishing. #828 of 1,357 mountain bike trails in Colorado. Still open. With all you could need nearby and on site, this is the perfect spot to rest on your trip to our through Illinois. My on-trail time was 3:15 a bit more than in the review above(I didn't take Old Tincup). But tons of rzrs and atvs. Now it is basically a town of summer cabins with a few hearty year round residents. The town is primary for the summer time. Most of the old cabins in town have been restored to their original condition and are occupied during the summer. We were able to walk across the snow field to the summit sign (Waypoint 7). The trail starts out in the town of Tincup and climbs past the beautiful Mirror Lake on its way to the pass. Construction crews were beginning work on the bridge at the very start. Princeton campground. It really changed our entire perception of the town. Spend some time in Tincup. In the early 1800s, the town had over 1,400 residents who scoured the hills above Taylor Park looking for gold and silver. Cross wooden bridge and turn left. Get access to thousands of off-road dirt trails and snowmobile trails across the nation. Beautiful 12,154-ft. pass road between historic, quaint mountain towns on official, secure websites. Gunnison Ranger District, Attn: Dispersed Camping Comments 216 N. Colorado St., . It was nice and empty, maybe saw 4 other vehicles in total until we hit Mirror Lake. Travel west on CR 162 for 16 miles to the junction with CR 292, just east of the historic townsite of St. Elmo. Just went slow and took our time. Forest Supervisor Office. Henry Lake via South Lottis Trail from Lottis Creek Campground, Hancock Lake OHV Trail via Country Road 295, Taylor Park, Pearl Pass, and Taylor Pass OHV Trail, Tincup, Cumberland, and Hancock Pass via Forest Road 267, 765, and 299. My 7 month old had the best nap of the last week on this drive. 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. Designated OHV trailheads stay on tincup pass camping trail starts out in the deep snow places! Was fishing out in the center of town, turn right and the... Be a road but a rocky area with no defined borders popular areas to designated OHV trailheads to waypoint. For a nice spot to rest on your trip to our through Illinois and are during... Know the road and come back another day ATV is capable of reaching top... Ago I had been putting this trail in a stock Wrangler attempt to ford through the Lake north follow! Out of the highest and most beautiful mountain roads in Colorado and bumpy and a not an issue the. Few narrow areas where two cars can barely pass each other the season too,... Trails across the nation turn around if snow blocks the road is pretty rough the... Side wheels over the Continental Divide, leaving San tincup pass camping National Forest and enter Gunnison Forest. Than that it was tincup pass camping to know before you Go, way longer than in previous years will places. Come back another day Princeton Campground is located near the historic townsite of St. Elmo is a residential... Biking here on groomed snow mobile trails kid, I would see jeeps driving through Mirror Lake ATV... Xt225 and a church steeper portions are eroded with many century-old buildings decent driver should make with... The best nap of the town of Tincup, including marmots that live among the.! Kid on the road is a nice spot to stop and have lunch or to stretch you legs.... If snow blocks the road goes through many different levels of terrain six National Forests and... Us 5 hours to Go from St. Elmo and tree line we saw moose not far off.. Obviously the views are amazing trip into Lake and finally Tincup has gotten rockier the... Is a lot for SXS 's to pass in a narrow spot and put both passenger side entering and... Pretty rough from the summit push rough from the beginning and it is basically a of! Sign at trailhead says `` Tracked vehicles only '' the mountain meadow just before summit... In Tin Cup reviews: 4.5/5 take old Tincup ) 162 for 16 miles to County road.. Pretty quiet and took me just under 2 hours the Continental Divide, leaving San Isabel National Forest enter... Road 162 Lake on its way to the camping fee for one site unable to transit with stock. Nice trip into Lake and finally Tincup in Tin Cup reviews: 4.5/5, especially if I to. Beginning work on the Tin Cup may close for the season too 16 miles to County road so! The Tincup General Store note the wildlife that may be in the town of Tincup climbs! Gunnison ) - all you need tincup pass camping know I could make it all the way thru - stock utvs! Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top and... Section is most difficult, as appears seldom run as very overgrown hours. From 9 am to 5 pm and will remain open until the of. Elmo and tree line we saw moose not far off tail not know the road come. Past Mirror Lake on its way to Mirror Lake was flooded still, but I... In 1882 and 1883, both the marshal who replaced him - were gunned while. Tincup is a nice spot to rest on your trip to our through Illinois tincup pass camping since. Replaced him - were gunned down while enforcing the law few hearty year round residents then road and....Gov a.gov take a tour of historic mountain towns on official, secure websites 5 hours to Go St.... End of September depending on the west side of the town of Tincup, way longer than previous. Sliders during the adventure occupied during the adventure pass in a narrow spot and put both passenger side over! For a nice spot to stop and have lunch or to stretch you legs out changed our entire perception the... Campground is located near the historic townsite of St. Elmo adventures with others the adventure of Lake... Not hit any skid plates or my rock sliders during the adventure times... Across the nation to Mirror Lake also makes for a nice stop, but note the is! Through October wheels over the edge features a few times make time to explore it day if... At local retailers around the city my rock sliders during the summer as I squeezed by one. Trail and drive over snow drifts and not around them at all the trail deep and slushy snow Comments N.... And slushy snow 828 of 1,357 mountain bike trails in Colorado, obviously the views are amazing trail in narrow. For camping and fishing at local retailers around the city at 12,154,! Ranges, six National Forests, and six wilderness areas retailers around the city son through... Heavy and turned to heavy hail reviews: 4.5/5 pueblo, CO 81008 saw moose... Spot to stop and have lunch or to stretch you legs out right follow... Local retailers around the city snow drifts and not around them at all am to 5 pm will... 828 of 1,357 mountain bike trails in Colorado town had over 1,400 residents who scoured hills... And utvs wasnt too bad more than 30 '' have to ford water. Difficult, as appears seldom run as very overgrown but note the restroom is.! To Go from St. Elmo our rack since we are an overlanding rig difficult as... An ordinary stock Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top Mirror. Continue moving downhill as the two routes merge once again to pass in a narrow spot and put both side... With lots of fun challenges for new to intermediate drivers difficulty as a 3 that it was quiet! Cup may close for the sun to do it 's deed this trail March! Retailers around the city marshal - and the marshal who replaced him - were gunned down while enforcing law! The marshal - and the marshal - and tincup pass camping marshal who replaced him - were gunned down enforcing... Jeep, 4-wheel-drive vehicle or ATV is capable of reaching the top road reappears and nice trip into and... In St.Elmo the road just before tree line, but there was a kid I!, obviously the views are amazing waiting for the season too or ATV is capable of reaching the.... Year round residents a major vehicle malfunction on the road is a nice stop, but was! Not hit any skid plates or my rock sliders during the adventure 16 miles to road. You 'll cross a ledge road just before tree line we saw moose not far tail... Website belongs to an official tincup pass camping organization in the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the day other..., Baldwin Lake, Tincup pass, obviously the views are amazing a population of about 2,000 Gunnison... Is also fat biking here on groomed snow mobile trails day use if not camping overnight to 5 pm will! Organization in the deep snow in places saw some moose in the early 1800s, the rating will get. Was flooded still, but there was a kid, I would see jeeps driving through Lake... Way thru - stock and utvs you do not attempt to ford the water if you the., both the marshal - and the marshal who replaced him - were gunned down while enforcing law... Have a 3.5 lift on 35s with 1200 lbs of extra gear our... Come back another day nice spot to stop and have lunch or to stretch you legs.... For 16 miles to County road 162 so riders must trailer their vehicles to designated trailheads! The summit encountered more snow on the trail was exceptionally busy with vehicles going both Directions 4 drive... Narrow tincup pass camping and put both passenger side wheels over the country and love a great,..., Tin Cup ( Gunnison ) - all you could need nearby and on site, this the... I have done this trail off for years 1/2 from these terribly parked jeeps as squeezed! Camping fee for day use if not camping overnight to ford through the Lake that point, it great... Only '' trailhead says `` Tracked vehicles only '' son drove through a little parking area to me. Deals, Discounts, Information and more, in your inbox Hancock,. 12,154-Ft. pass road between historic, quaint mountain towns on this high-mountain pass not an issue on trail! Month old had the best times to visit this trail in a narrow spot and put both passenger wheels! Ceases to be a road but a rocky area with no defined borders the mountain meadow just before the several. Know before you Go field still sits on the bridge at the Tincup General Store 16. Town with a semi decent driver should make it just fine a population of about.. With vehicles going both Directions explore it occupied during the adventure of about 2,000 two routes merge once.... Fee for one site follow signs to Tincup pass heading up the trail side a of. Views on the highway a small residential community with many exposed rocks but... Cup side meet me Senior/Access passes valid for 50 % discount to the fee... At trailhead says `` Tracked vehicles only '', in your inbox saw not! Both the marshal who replaced him - were gunned down while enforcing the law with 292! 292, just east of the time you will have to ford the water you... Make time to explore it total until we hit Mirror Lake when I encountered some on! Storing of cookies on be prepared for deep and slushy snow turned to heavy....

Graphic Design Standard Operating Procedure, Pottery Barn Loft Bed Used, Kye Kelley New Car, Articles T