Mini Tour

The Sawatch Mountain Range and Arkansas River Valley of central Colorado offer stunning scenery and summer activities galore. Mounts Harvard, Columbia, Yale and Princeton-part of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness-form a 50-mile-long wall of "fourteeners" (14,000-foot peaks) along the western boundary of Chaffee County, which includes the towns of Buena Vista, Salida and Poncha Springs. The region is also home to the mighty Arkansas River, flowing from the north end of the county to the south. Rafting enthusiasts can find everything from Class I (mild) to Class V (wild) waters here. In fact, the annual number of rafters on the Arkansas makes it the most popular whitewater destination in the world. In addition to rafting, visitors can explore ghost towns, pan for gold, relax in a hot springs pool and much more.

Begin this month's AAA Mini Tour in Buena Vista, a small ranching town and main gateway to the 148-mile Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Rafting and kayaking take place all along the Arkansas River, from just south of Leadville to Caņon City, and trips are available to suit every level-from relaxing floats to extreme whitewater.

One popular section offering intermediate-to-advanced rapids and beautiful scenery is Brown's Canyon, a 10-mile stretch that begins just south of Buena Vista. The lower Arkansas from Salida to the Royal Gorge offers tamer, but still exciting rapids. The rafting season starts mid-May and runs to late August. Numerous qualified outfitters offer half-, full- and multi-day trips, and many give a discount to AAA members. The Colorado River Outfitters Association offers a free directory of more than 50 certified outfitters throughout the state. Phone 303-280-2554.

From Buena Vista, travel south on US 24/285. Near the town of Nathrop, turn right (west) on County Road 162 and proceed five miles to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort. In the Chalk Creek Gulch between Mount Princeton and Mount Antero, this resort offers lodging, dining and soothing hot springs pools. If you're not staying in the lodge, you can still use the pools for a fee. There is a soak pool, Olympic-size lap pool and about a dozen or so natural rock pools in the nearby stream. Phone 719-395-2447 for more information. Other hot springs in the county include Cottonwood Hot Springs west of Buena Vista, and the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center in Salida, which is in the process of replacing their roof after it was severely damaged in this year's early-May snowstorm. The outdoor pool is open for the summer season.

From Mount Princeton, the tour continues west along County Road 162 to visit a nearby ghost town. You'll pass the rugged, white Chalk Cliffs to your right, where mountain goats are often seen. After a few miles, the road becomes dirt (maintained year-round) and about 10 miles up the road you will come to St. Elmo. This community was settled as a supply center for nearby mines circa 1880, and once had a population of 2000. Today, a small number of people still live here year-round, but many of the buildings are abandoned. These weathered, false-front buildings, some leaning with the weight of time, now line the dirt roads. In spring and summer, hummingbirds zip through the air, pausing at feeders that hang outside the general store. While exploring St. Elmo, be aware that many of the houses are occupied; please respect the privacy of the residents. Other ghost towns in the vicinity may be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles or on horseback.

Another adventure to try in this area is "rock hounding." The county is so rich in minerals and gems that university geology programs are conducted here each summer. Aquamarine crystals, garnets, turquoise and sapphires are some of the treasures that can be found in the surrounding mountains. You can also pan for gold in any of the mountain streams. For more information, call Mark Krivanek at the Gem Factory, 719-539-7493.

From St. Elmo, backtrack to Hwy. 285 and continue traveling south to the final stop on the tour, Salida. Following devastating fires in the late 1880s, Salida's downtown district was rebuilt with brick. Today more than 75 buildings from that period remain, making it Colorado's largest historic district. A self-guided walking tour booklet is available at Mountain Mail on the corner of 2nd and G Streets downtown. Local events occur throughout the summer. One in particular begins on July 7: The Salida-Aspen Concert Series, in its 25th anniversary season, where top performers from the renowned Aspen Music Festival begin a six-concert series. The concerts are performed at the John Held Auditorium in Salida High School, 10th and D Streets. Call 877-772-5432 for details.

If you have time, other possible adventures in this area include horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, trout fishing and golf. For more information, contact the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce at 719-395-6612, or the Salida Chamber at 719-539-2068.

Information is also available on the Internet: www.chaffeecounty.com or www.nowthisiscolorado.com.

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