Chaffee County is located in Central Colorado, the Heart of the Colorado Rockies.  As Colorado’s Headwaters of Adventure – it stars the small towns of Buena Vista, Salida, Poncha Springs as well as Monarch Mountain. Folks drawn here enjoy the welcome contrasts to the state’s more glamorous destination resorts. You don’t need the trendiest clothes or newest equipment to fit in with the locals. However, if you do have a thirst for adventure we have more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak in. Fifteen of the states 53 14,000 ft peaks touch the sky here in the Sawatch Range.   In spring, summer and fall Chaffee County is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, biking, ATVing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, flyfishing, camping, horseback riding, swimming, tennis and golfing. Winter sports fans can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Monarch Mountain, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.  Year-around visitors in the “banana belt” can enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops, incredible art galleries and a large selection of antique shops in the historic towns of Salida and Buena Vista.   Lodging options range from motels to rustic inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, beautiful campsites to guest ranches.   For more information and a complimentary brochure, visit www.NowThisIsColorado.com.

Salida Artists will be celebrating Second Saturday on February 13th with our theme: “Let’s Go Tropical — Follow the Flamingos”. Galleries will be open til 6 or 7pm and will be serving “tropical” refreshments for guests to participate in a progressive food tasting event from gallery to gallery. Watch for the flamingos and where they walk!!

The Green Cat, 124 G. st. 719-530-0466 will be celebrating let’s go tropical in 2000BC with a new piece of art that has million year old fossilized fish embedded into the art glass by steph brady. Tropical refreshments include “ceviche”. www.greencatstephbrady.com

Gallery 150 , Second Saturday-”Lets go Tropical”
We will be serving up some Jerked Chicken appetizers. Wearing our best Tropical Shirts and offering … A Tribute to Valentines Day!
First Annual -”Hearts Club”
Brand New Affordable Handmade Originals ONLY Through February
by Scavezze/Goldsmith
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Scavezze Goldsmith, 115 North G Street,Salida, CO. 81201
(719) 539-2971
jerry@scavezzegoldsmith.com
www.scavezzegoldsmith.com

Brodeur Gallery 151 W 1st St, 719-221-1272, presents A Petite Exhibit (paintings 4″x9″ and under)
Saturday February 13th, 11-6, reception 4-6
Miss the show? Go on line at http://brodeurart.com/apetiteexhibit/

cultureclash, Saturday, 12-4 pm, Jimmy Descant, the Rocketman, along with other participating gallery artists, will  be giving away ‘FREE ART’ in appreciation of art lovers’ support during tough times. FREE ART, FREE LOVE, FREE ADVICE, FREEDOM.  Remember, pay it forward.”
cultureclash ART OBJECTS JEWELRY
101 North F St
719 539 3118
cultureclash@hotmail.com

Art Matters Gallery, 119A East 1st St, 539-2383, www.artmatters-gallery.com, representing over 45 artists with quality two and three dimensional artwork, jewelry and fiber. Second Saturday Event: “Miniature and Small Art” juried exhibit Gallery Reception 3-6pm. Over 40 entries of work no larger than 80 sq inches.

Four Winds Gallery will be celebrating two years in our current location at 118 F Street, Salida, with “Art for Habitat”. We will donate 20% of original paintings and 15% of everything else sold on Saturday February 13 to our local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. They build houses for qualified families, who themselves also help with the construction and receive an affordable loan to pay for the home. For our customers we will serve tropical punch and treats. Hours Second Saturday will be 10am-7pm. 719-539-6075, www.fourwindsgallery-colorado.com or www.statetreeprints.com.

The Maverick Potter, 123 North F ST. Salida. Our featured artist this month is Photographer Carol Cartwright. Carol captures the essence of Western life through the lens with action and still life shots. Her landscape photography is dramatic and colorful. Visit us The Maverick Potter for a tropical treat and an evening of fun Saturday the 13th from 4 to 7 pm, ph 539 5112

Fresh powder, early season Monarch Mountain. Monarch’s 70th Platinum Anniversary!

Chaffee County is a winter wonderland!  Between 16 inches to several feet fell thoughout the area, turning it to winter overnight.  As the skies cleared today, the Sawatch Range came back covered with Mother Nature’s latest gift!  Get those skis and snowboards ready to go, the countdown to Monarch Mountain’s opening day is on!

Winter blankets Chaffee County

 Chaffee County and especially the Buena Vista area is chock full of ATV opportunities. There’s the 4 Mile Area on the east side of the valley that is mostly high clearance 2WD roads, along with ATV trails and single track. This area is open nine to eleven months out of the year. Most is easy, but there are plenty of challenging areas if you look for them. On the west side of the valley there are miles of old mining roads and many passes over the Continental Divide. The historical significance is amazing with ghost towns and mining sites with many buildings still standing. These are mostly rocky 4WD roads on this side with road elevations reaching 13,700′. Most of this area is open from June through mid November, but some passes may not open until early July. Both east and west sides offer incredible views and un-crowded roads and trails.Six Pac Ride
Rating:   (Difficult)
Actually six passes, Hancock, Tomichi, Black Sage, Wauneta, Napoleon and Tin Cup. These are not that difficult but there is some exposure and a deep stream crossing. The difficult rating is primarily for the length of the ride (85 miles) and a steady (meaning not slow) pace that has to be maintained to complete this ride. This is one of the few guided rides. High critter, history and color factor.

Mosquito Pass
Rating:  (Moderate)
This is the highest pass in the United States at over 13,000 ft. Prior to summiting you will go through some of the highest concentrations of old mines on the planet, with much of the infrastructure still standing. There isn’t a lot of color, there’s some exposure, and the critter factor is fairly low, but the history is very high.

Otto Mears Toll Road to Bonanza
Rating:  (Easy)
This route has more historic value than most and very different mountain scenery. You’ll get up close and personal to several mine sites, many with buildings still standing. Lots of Aspen and this trail now makes a loop. A few side routes can be challenging.

Hancock/Tin Cup Loop
Rating:  (Easy to Moderate)
This route is a scenic masterpiece with high mountain vistas, old mine sites, several ghost towns. You can ride right into the towns of Pitkin, Tin Cup, and Taylor Park and get lunch. It’s a full day’s ride.

Mt. Antero/Baldwin Lake
Rating:  (Moderate)
This route will take you higher than any other on the Tour. The highest point is 13,700’ and the summit at 14,269’ is a short hike from there. 4WD is necessary for heavier machines and all will need a few ponies. You’ll visit 2 high mountain lakes and a couple of mines. Look around near the summit of Antero for aquamarine and quartz, minerals that are still mined today on active claims. A few aspen areas.

Iron Chest and Pomoroy Lakes
Rating:  (Moderate to Difficult)
These are two different routes very close together. Each is up and back, not heavily traveled and go above Timberline. Pomeroy Lakes are beautiful and rarely fished and Upper Pomeroy (a short walk) contains Arctic Grayling. Both have color and Iron Chest (named for the most obvious mine up there) has history.

Mineral Basin/Ptarmigan Lake
Rating:  (Easy to Moderate)
This route begins at beautiful Cottonwood Lake and is not heavily traveled. It and all the side routes are up and back with critter sightings common and lots of beaver ponds. Ptarmigan Lake holds some big and hungry trout and Ptarmigan (Colorado’s unofficial state bird) hide in the surrounding rocks. Side trip Hope Gulch is a beautiful up and back route over a saddle looking down into the Chalk Creek drainage.

Twin Lakes/Lost Canyon
Rating:  (Easy)
Two different routes that require trailering to each, but worth the effort. Aspen trees abound at Twin Lakes and the views from each are incredible. At the top of Lost Canyon you’ll stare right into the faces of Mt’s. Belford, Oxford, Missouri and Huron …14’ers all. At the Twin Lakes trail, you’ll visit old mines and mills with colorful rocks. From the top of Twin Lakes trail you can look across the valley into the famous California Gulch Mining District and Leadville.

4 Mile Area
Rating:  (Easy to Moderate)
Named for the creek running through it, it’s one of two routes that are on the eastern side of the valley (Ruby Mtn. being the other). These are easy, high clearance roads going through Pinion Forests and high desert. The only moderate parts are on the ATV trail system. You’ll have panoramic views of the Sawatch Range across the valley. Critters here include Big Horns, deer, elk, bear and (rarely) mountain lion.

Ruby Mountain/Aspen Ridge
Rating: to   (Easy to Difficult)
The extreme sections are easy to avoid and the easy ones are loads of fun. New ATV trails cut through the Pinions, and Aspen Ridge in the fall will blow you over with color. Similar in terrain, views and critters to 4 Mile.

Check out the ATV Historic Color Run in September at www.coloradoatvtour.org. It ‘s a great time.

Buena Vista was once the rail head of three major railroads.  In 1880, the narrow gauge Denver South Park and Pacific line arrived down Trout Creek Pass, headed for St. Elmo and the Gunnison country.  Later that year, the Denver and Rio Grande built its way through the Royal Gorge and into Buena Vista.  Last to arrive from Colorado Springs was the Colorado Midland. 

The Midland, as it was known, had its depot on Midland Hill and passengers and freight had to be hauled down into Buena Vista.  The logo for the Midland was a snarling mountain lion seen frequently at the depot on Midland Hill.  The Midland ran north of town through the settlement of Wildhorse and the 4 Mile tunnels.  It was shut down in this area in May of 1922. 

The Denver, South Park and Pacific, later know as the South Park, built the highest railroad tunnel in the world at that time.  It was the Alpine tunnel, located above St. Elmo.  This tunnel was drilled in 1880-81 and was 1,771 feet long.  The South Park ran its last passenger train from Denver to Buena Vista in 1910.  It continued to run to St. Elmo for a few more years.

The Denver and Rio Grande was bought by the Southern Pacific in the 1980s, and then merged with the Union Pacific in 1996.  When Union Pacific acquired the line, it announced plans to abandon the route which runs through Buena Vista, but occasional trains and crewmen performing maintenance tasks continue to come through town.  The rail bed’s future is unclear if it is abandoned—it has been considered for a biking and hiking trail.

Fall colors on Monarch Pass in Chaffee County

Aspen grove on Monarch Pass in Chaffee County

The fall colors in Chaffee County are amazing.  Monarch pass is prettly close to it’s peak.  The aspen grove just past the Monarch Lodge is a brilliant orange.  The Sawatch Range is spectular and transforming every day.  The photos were taken on Monarch Pass.