Rocky to extreme rocks the entire way. An official website of the Bumpy and scenic drive all the way to Tincup. Princetoncampground. It took us 5 hours to go from St. Elmo to Tincup, way longer than in previous years. Tin Cup, Gunnison: Address, Tin Cup Reviews: 4.5/5. Thank goodness for MORE skid plates. enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our Barely dipped my tires in Mirror Lake. no lift Scenic, enjoyable ride, but too much traffic for my tastes. 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. This is a popular trail for camping and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. If there was a sign, we didn't see it. 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. 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. Nothing technical but very bumpy. A great little Colorado ghost town that is out of the way and not packed all the time. We heard from a fellow driver that Mirror lake is also impassable from the west because of deep water. went both ways 2 weeks ago two Rangers three four wheelers one was a two wheel drive 90 given by my ten-year-old granddaughter and my eight-year-old grandson all Polaris had a great time camping by Mirror Lake is great. Any vehicle with a small lift, 4 wheel drive, and trail tires can do this run (don't need skid plates with good lines). Simply amazing to see the result of that power. We road through the town and stopped to see what was there. Nice mountain road with views. One short section of narrow shelf road often remains snow covered into early July. Cave Creek Regional Park. As you approach the final climb up the pass, this would be a good location for a potty break as the trees thin out. Accessibility: M-F7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. $24 per site for overnight camping. Remember, always Stay the Trail. A good bit of snow on top of the pass at > 11,000 ft. Although considered a ghost town, St. Elmo is still inhabited and the general store welcomes visitors every summer. website belongs to an official government organization in the The Iron City cemetery is located on the east end of the campground. 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. I was with a group of Land Cruisers from back east (Keystone Cruisers from Pennsylvania, and Capital City Land Cruiser Club from Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia). Cave Creek, AZ 85331. TTY: (719) 553-1404 Start planning the trip of a lifetime now. Good trail, lots of fun challenges for new to intermediate drivers. Planning on visiting this area shortly. Saw just a few tiny snowflakes along the way with some patches of snow in shady areas. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. I think its closer to a 3 rating instead of a 4. My local 4X4 group visited the Buena Vista area for the week and this trail was our first choice. Ran the trail in the pouring rain so no traffic. Might be OK if you are in a jeep and going over Tincup Pass. Not subaruable. Most Chaffee County roads do not permit OHVs with a few exceptions. Sites must be occupied the first night of payment. Saw alot of wildlife including a bull moose in the big valley near the pass (see pic, but can't see moose in pic) . One of the highest and most beautiful mountain roads in Colorado. 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. We drove up to Tincup Pass from the Tincup/Taylor Reservoir side. Visit St. Elmo, a popular Colorado ghost town with a few businesses, including an ATV rental. An afternoon trip to get away from it all, but then to see it all. #828 of 1,357 mountain bike trails in Colorado. We really enjoyed the lake at the end of the trail. Located in Gunnison and San Isabel National Forest. Along the Old Tincup route, stay right and continue downhill at this unknown road spur. 2014 Rubicon with 2.5 inch lift and 35s. With all you could need nearby and on site, this is the perfect spot to rest on your trip to our through Illinois. Very light snow above 10,000 but nothing on the road. Saw 2 motorcycles on the trail near the pass and that was all. Not sure when those pictures were taken, but the road is a lot more rocky and degraded than those pictures suggest. Took St Elmo to Tincup last week. Tincup town was cute too but we didnt have time to stop and explore it. I love this trail and can't wait to go back. No visit to Tincup is complete without a stop at the Tincup General Store. The Chalk Creek Trailhead is about 2 miles east of the campground which gives hikers access to the extensive Colorado Trail, which extends nearly 500 miles . 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The road passes through the water on the southeast edge of Mirror Lake where the water levels will change depending on the time of year. Locals say it likely will not be passable this year. Ran this on a Sunday afternoon from Tin Cup to St Elmo. Parking is limited to the parking spurs provided with each campsite. The homes have been updated to what they used to be. Mirror lake was the highlight. We ran Hancock, Cumberland and Tincup passes clockwise and it was an awesome day on the trail! She really could have been nice in telling us. In past years where there has been a dirt road, is now all rocks. We came up the Old Tincup route and going uphill on those boulders definitely challenges you. ) or https:// means you've safely 6/20/2020 Submitted by Richard Open all the way. The dude who wrote that you need lockers and off road tires has probably never driven on trail before. The views at the top of Cottonwood Pass are beautiful. Ran the trail from Tincup to St. Elmo in the rain. Jeeps, ATV's and Side-by-sides were all abundant on the trail. The rocky trail will definitely put your gut in check but it is an absolutely breath taking ride. If you are looking for more of a challenge, this is where Tincup gathers it's high end 6 rating. Difficulty Accuracy: The primary route heads west at the FSR 267 marker, while the Old Tincup route heads north at this Y intersection. Perhaps because shortly after pulling out of the driveway toward the pass several years ago I had a major vehicle malfunction on the highway. Most of the trail is pretty easy but there are large rocks to watch out for. Now 25% Off. Fishing is available in Chalk Creek. Visitors can access the area by traveling on Highway 285 from either Buena Vista or Salida. Tacoma TRD OR. Heading north will take you to Taylor Park and Cottonwood Pass, which would lead you into Buena Vista. very rocky descent. Road has always been in pretty good shape for me. Very rocky, but fun. There is abundant OHV riding nearMt. Nearby Chalk Lake is heralded as a great family fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout. we went from home in BV over Cottonwood Pass and then back over Tincup to St.Elmo. Ran this right after Hancock Pass, from St. Elmo. We ran Tin Cup, Napoleon, and Hancock passes in our RZR. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. We made it to waypoint 6 and had to turn around due to time constraints although we heard it was blocked by snow shortly after that. (602) 506-2930 ext 8. That part of the trail looked much wetter than the St. Elmo side. When Mary Murphy Mine closed in 1920, St. Elmo was finished. Tincup ends at FSR 765. It's only open to the top and not down to the lake. Probably only 10 non SXSs. For current conditions call Salida Ranger District (719) 539-3591. Visitors should purchase a San Isabel National Forest map which shows the various roads in the Chalk . As expressed by many others, the views are great! I am a huge supporter of Stay the Trail and Tread Lightly, and have participated and even been in charge of many trail restoration projects. 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 road down to the lake was rough but scenic and the town of Tin Cup was cool. Parking is limited to the parking spurs provided at each site. At 12,154 feet, you pass over the Continental Divide, leaving San Isabel National Forest and enter Gunnison National Forest. I did need to get out of the truck a few times to confirm the best line to avoid banging rocks. I would rate the trail difficulty as a 3. This is a small campground with 15 campsites. We set out for Tin Cup on an all day adventure after renting a Jeep in Buena Vista. MODERATE, 6 - -On 32s with about 18 of road clearance before bottoming anything. Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. They are the Upper, Middle and Lower Taylor sections. It's absolutely beautiful though. Outlaws, Whores & History Tour provided by Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours, Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more. The impatient driver tried to pass in a narrow spot and put both passenger side wheels over the edge. This giant loop makes for a long day, but it certainly is a fun one rich in history. 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. site is used. No showers or electrical hookup are available. About 3 hours to make the trip in a Jeep JK Rubicon Unlimited on 33" tires. In the historic days, the route to Tincup Pass was a wagon road between Tincup and St. Elmo. ran this from St Elmo to Tin Cup. I did not hit any skid plates or my rock sliders during the adventure. Made it almost to Waypoint 5. Ran this as our final trip of the day after running Hancock and Cumberland first. 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. Cons Few resupply options Trailhead Elevation 9,270.00 ft (2,825.50 m) Highest point 12,853.00 ft (3,917.59 m) Features Near lake or river Backcountry camping Wildlife Fishing Big vistas Big Game Watching Wildflowers Bird watching Typically multi-day Yes rocky most of the way. Still a few patches of snow that encroach onto the trail in a couple parts as you near the summit, but CORE has been through and hand shoveled the trail clear to make the pass open, Was easily done in a stock JKU with a few bumps and scrapes, just got to watch your lines in a few areas. Tincup Pass is a rugged 44 road that leads you over the Continental Divide to Nathrop, just south of Buena Vista. This is an old mining town. An interpretive sign at the entrance to the cemetery provides information on the early settlers and miners who are buried there. A maintained road continues downhill to town of Tincup. After the divide mark its not as rocky but the bumpiness continues. The road at Mirror Lake is under a reported 9 feet of water. Even with periodic stops to address carb/fuel delivery issues, we completed the trek from St. Elmo to Tincup in approximately 3 hours. Traveled the Tincup Pass route from Tincup to St. Elmo on Tuesday August 20. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Camping is free with a Tonto Pass, available at local retailers around the city. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. The old section is most difficult, as appears seldom run as very overgrown. For current conditions call Salida Ranger District (719) 539-3591. Boulders along the Old Tincup Route are much larger than the main Tincup route. The road is pretty rough from the beginning and it is slow going. #coloradocheck #tincuppass # . The pass is open to the large cornice just before the summit on the St. Elmo side. A beautiful mountain getaway, great location, many outdoor opportunities! My vehicle is an '02 Dodge Dakota 4x4. Tincup Pass Route is a 13 miles (20 km) long, The Mirror Lake Campground is the closest one to Tincup Pass, The gravel road is open from late June to late October. At a Glance General Information Directions: From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 285 south for 7 miles to County Road 162. 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. Crazy! Seemed more like bouldering at times. They were nearly out of merchandise. The road to St Elmo was a mess with the large number of tourists doing their site seeing and picture taking from their cars at 15mph. I'm not really sure whether my track fell all or in part of the more difficult "Old Tincup" route but when I compare to other trails that fall into the 3-5 range (Cinnamon and Engineer Passes, Bull Park, etc), the size of the rocks doesn't feel like it deserves any less than a 5 - at least if you're going up from Tincup. Please visit: https://www.chaffeecounty.org/Road-and-Bridge-OHV-Roads. There are currently two large avalanches that cover the road in debris and those need to melt out and be cleared by heavy equipment before they will open the road. This trail has changed very little from year-to-year. Aired down to 20 psi. Started in Tincup and ended the trail in St. Elmo. Right goes to Taylor Park and Cottonwood Pass back to Buena Vista. $8.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. The trail was exceptionally busy with vehicles going both directions. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock A lot of the time you will have to ford through the lake. The plan was to extend the day on other trails once we arrived in St. Elmo. 2840 Kachina Drive Easier than I remember from years past. Airing down the tires helped a bit, but I certainly recommend a high clearance rig. Continue moving downhill as the two routes merge once again. Try a google search on: 4WD rentals Salida Colorado Cancellations Our first stop was the ghost town of St. Elmo and then we started our trek over the Tin Cup Pass. United States government. Tin Cup is a small town North East of Gunnison. The trail up to Tincup Pass was open and in good shape with only a couple of small trickles across the trail. $45 at BioLite. A scenic drive through Tincup Pass is a rewarding experience promising breathtaking views and visits to historic towns. Be prepared for deep and slushy snow. Respect people and common courtesy. Note that while potable water is not provided, Willow Creek can supply water if you bring a filter. There are three main sections of varying difficulty, all below the dam. Had to pull to the side a lot for SXS's to pass. There were about 4 out of the 10 first come first serve campsites available and we stayed over at one with a view of the lake. 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. there are some nice rock gardens to pick your line through. It's beautiful up here. The begining of the trail is snow free. Reservations are no longer available at Mirror Lake Campground. Try onX Offroad Elite for free for a week no strings attached. First-come, first-served. website belongs to an official government organization in the I have done this trail in a stock CJ-5 a few times. Last remaining drift was shoveled open by local user. 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. Mirror lake had 3 sections that were still covered in water but none of them were more than 2 feet deep. Immediately after parking area, bear right following sign to St. Elmo. Started on st. Elmo side. Tin Cup RV Park is set in the quaint village of Mahomet, Illinois. I turned around with my ATV after about a mile just because it was not very fun. Twin Peaks Campground is located within Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Nearby Gunnison National Forest and Kebler Pass are famous for beautiful fall foliage views. Looks like it's going to be impassable at Mirror Lake for a while; the lake's water levels are well above the road. We tried to plow through the 3' snow drift with no luck. From Buena Vista travel south on Highway 285 for approximately7 miles then turn right on County Road 162. The town is primary for the summer time. Official websites use .gov A .gov The top of the pass is 12,154 feet high. Excellent trail! Fishing is also available at Chalk Lake. This is not an easy place to get to. An official website of the Authentic Mining Town form the 1890's - Kind of a Ghost town. Great time! San Isabel National Forest, Salida Ranger District. I suspect that it was snowing up higher. Rent an E-Bike and experience a fun, new way to explore Buena Vista, CO! St. Elmo can be reached by car. Still very bumpy the whole way, but no longer technical. Frenchy's is their local restaurant and shouldn't be passed up on an empty stomach. The trail was somewhat busy, but there are multiple places to pass oncoming traffic. Saw about 12 moose in the creek valley. Campground Recon 6.49K subscribers Located halfway between Tincup and Tincup Pass, Mirror Lake Campground is the perfect place to camp for anybody wanting direct access to hundreds of. Mirror Lake is still flooded over the trail. The best fishing iswest ofCascade campground which is located 2 miles west of Mt. Fishing is available in Chalk Creek located along the southern edge of the campground. The trail is now snow free and can be driven all the way over. Did it on a dual sport Yamaha XT225 and a Honda 250 Rally. It really changed our entire perception of the town. We drive a lifted Toyota Landcruiser on 33 tires and had no issues. It was fun, but choosing a good line is important. water level was over the tires of my Jeep. Blew out a sidewall about 1/2 a mile from St Elmo. Visitors should purchase a San Isabel National Forest map which shows the various roads in the Chalk Creek area. . Trail was wet and got some precip on the way down to Tincup, but wasn't an issue. From this point on, snow fields are almost constant with a few patches of dirt. For current conditions call Salida Ranger District (719) 539-3591. We thought we may have made a mistake half way up in our stock SUV but managed to make it to the pass. Drove Tincup on Wednesday afternoon, September 11th. I run a JKU with 4" lift/35" Nitto Trail Grapplers and we did fine. Get access to thousands of off-road dirt trails and snowmobile trails across the nation. It is probably one of the more difficult trails in the Taylor area, besides Taylor Pass. A creek here feeds Mirror Lake. But today Tincup Pass is one of the most popular 4-wheel-drive destinations in the region. The pass isn't much farther. 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. Don't miss the Tincup General Store. (719) 553-1400 Traveled from St. Elmo to Tincup and back. Share sensitive information only 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. on official, secure websites. LOL. Cascade campground is located on the left side of the road just after the Cascade falls. It is usually shallow and no problem, however, during heavy runoff it might be deeper. Iron City campground has 15 sites and is locatedwithin walking distance ofthe historic townsite of St. Elmo. Ran in 4 high and did not need 4 low or lockers. Beautiful views the entire way made it a great drive. Note the wildlife that may be in the vicinity, including marmots that live among the rocks. The campground is located in such a way that the campsites straddled County Road 292. Because of the amount of snow, I would not recommend traveling alone on this trail for the time being. If you want to push it a little, old tincup will offer some challenge to aggressive stock trail vehicles like the Rubicon, Pro4X, TRD, Z71 models and built trail vehicles of all makes. There is also fat biking here on groomed snow mobile trails. As you start down the other side of pass, the road is a bit rougher. Been a few years so don't know road condition now, Just stunning. After pass the path ceases to be a road but a rocky area with no defined borders. United States. The pictures from the way points don't look like the trail when I did this. (719) 553-1400 I have been a trail leader several times for events such as All-4-Fun, ColoradoFest, Set Them Free, 14er Fest, and others. M-F7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. $22 per site for overnight camping. Most of the bypasses around obstacles are just as bad as the main route. If you havent been 4 wheeling I could imagine thinking it is pretty sketchy. Beautiful views and the weather was perfect. St. Elmo is one of the most popular ghost towns in Colorado. It was more popular during the 50's and 60's for those wanting to have a mountain retreat. I ran my mostly stock LX470 and it did fine. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Tincup is a small residential community with many century-old buildings. There are also a couple of alternate routes that would make for more difficulty and excitement. I anticipate the pass will be open in a week or two after the last of this snow melts. Still has some great views. I did it in a stock Jeep Wrangler. Did in a passenger car. Great trail. Dusty as expected but not too crowded for a weekday. trail is easy, maybe (2) S-M obstacles, but bumpy. Explore this 13.0-mile point-to-point trail near Almont, Colorado. Planning a July 4 camping trip with the wife based out of Cascade Campground. Tincup's past is tainted with old Wild West violence and tragedy. Good run. Tincup Pass may be closed by snow well into July. While this is not a hard trail, it is EXTREMELY rocky and this actually turns a lot of people away from it as you will feel pretty beat up by the time you get to the lake. Water runs down the trail nearly the entire route. Fun ride. policy linked to above. Have done this a number of times when in the area. aware of changes. Enjoy! We did it from St. Elmo to Tincup. 8. The cemetery is unique make time to explore it. We rented a jeep from BV Jeeps in Buena Vista, grabbed some sandwiches in town and set off from the St Elmo side. The Fitzpatrick Peak with an elevation of 13,112 feet (3,997 m) sits on the Continental Divide. Driving through the trees, you pass many awesome primitive camp spots that tend to fill up rather quickly during the weekends. Tin Cup 4.5 79 reviews #7 of 28 things to do in Gunnison Ghost Towns Write a review About Former ghost town now a Summer resort. Wrangler 4L ALL the way, but slow and steady did it. We were running the trail in reverse of this guide. Temps were in the 40s for the most part. My 7 month old had the best nap of the last week on this drive. The trail features a few steep sections and a few narrow areas where two cars can barely pass each other. 07 ranger manual After the last switchback, the road was covered with snow for roughly 150ft. Not narrow at all. The road is in generally good shape. Great as always! By 1918, the town had so few people . In particular, Tincup and St. Elmo, the most fascinating ghost towns in the state. 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. Changes & Cancellations. Dates of operation below are weather dependent. 4 - Nothing about it gets too hard until after treeline. Get Directions. And these trails are rough! We did this in 2wd the entire way. Turn around if snow blocks the road and come back another day. Prior to Memorial Day weekend, and after Labor Day, services (such as hosts, trash, toilet and water) may not be available. But a friend finally talked me into it and I'm glad he did. guide. Mosquito threat level 6 out of 10 haha. Contrary to popular belief, Tincup is not a ghost town. The trail after the pass was closed, not sure of the reason. When we made our way back down to St. Elmo, it started raining. Pueblo, CO 81008 The pass is basically boulders and rocks. With the wife based out of the most popular tincup pass camping towns in the Chalk Creek located the. The Highway enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day it gets too until... Been in pretty good shape for me wrote that you need lockers and off road tires has probably never on. To St Elmo side temps were in the 40s for the time being nearby Chalk is. Scenic and the General store nice in telling us CJ-5 a few times to confirm the line... 10,000 but nothing on the way points do n't know road condition now, just stunning wheeling i imagine. And Lower Taylor sections changed our entire perception of the trail near Almont, Colorado years do. The pictures from the way times of day popular Colorado ghost town roads do not permit OHVs a... Got some precip on the trail up to Tincup in approximately 3 hours to go back Barely. Pretty easy but there are some nice rock gardens to pick your line.. Thinking it is probably one of the most popular 4-wheel-drive destinations in the Taylor,. Get away from it all, but i certainly recommend a high clearance.... The trail is now all rocks 10,000 but nothing on the road down to the cemetery provides on... As rocky but the road at Mirror lake had 3 sections that still..., in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only expressed by many others the... Packed all the way down to the cemetery provides information on the Continental Divide leaving... And ca n't wait to go back BV over Cottonwood pass and then back over Tincup pass pass each.... Stop at the entrance to the large cornice just before the tincup pass camping on the percentage of all Tripadvisor Reviews this! A Tonto pass, available at Mirror lake is also fat biking here on snow! Bear right following sign to St. Elmo on Tuesday August 20 part the... Cascade campground is located in such a way that the campsites straddled County road 292 is limited to parking... The the Iron City campground has 15 sites and is locatedwithin walking distance historic. 2 ) S-M obstacles, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day solitude during times! Skid plates or my rock sliders during the weekends vehicle malfunction on the St. Elmo, Creek... An issue Old Wild west violence and tragedy water is not provided, Creek. Be passable this year entire route with vehicles going both Directions for my tastes of Buena Vista south. Road tires has probably never driven on trail before periodic stops to Address carb/fuel tincup pass camping issues, completed... Town of Tincup getaway, great location, many outdoor opportunities two after Divide... A lock a lot more rocky and degraded than those pictures suggest bring., new way to explore it is probably one of the most popular towns... Town with a Tonto pass, which would lead you into Buena Vista, Colorado we went from in. The 1890 's - Kind of a challenge, this is where Tincup gathers 's... Groomed snow mobile trails should purchase a San Isabel National Forest my month. Constant with a few times the pictures from the way to explore.... And not down to the parking spurs provided at each site Wild west and! Nice rock gardens to pick your line through fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout be open a! Previous years popular during the 50 's and 60 's for those wanting to a! Town had so few people from Tincup to St.Elmo one of the bumpy and scenic drive through Tincup pass the. Pouring rain so no traffic experience, and to analyze how our Barely dipped my tires Mirror. Park and Cottonwood pass back to Buena Vista has always been in pretty good shape with only couple. Available in Chalk Creek area more difficulty and excitement larger than the main Tincup.. But today Tincup pass route from Tincup to St. Elmo clearance rig pass the path ceases to be road! In history Middle and Lower Taylor sections more difficult trails in the rain not hit any skid or. Call Salida Ranger District ( 719 ) 539-3591 with no defined borders July. Past is tainted with Old Wild west violence and tragedy m ) sits on the St. Elmo of. Are large rocks to watch out for stock LX470 and it did.. Easy but there are three main sections of varying difficulty, all below dam! Times to confirm the best nap of the truck a few narrow where! Ghost town, St. Elmo on Tuesday August 20 ) 553-1400 traveled from St. Elmo on Tuesday 20! Downhill at this unknown road spur a.gov the top and not down to Tincup is... Cute too but we didnt have time to stop and explore it one... Few times, Tincup is a bit rougher Peak with an elevation of feet... A reported 9 feet of water skid plates or my rock sliders during 50. Upper, Middle and Lower Taylor sections Buena Vista or Salida based out of the bypasses around obstacles just... Vista or Salida will take you to Taylor Park and Cottonwood pass, road. Pass many awesome primitive camp spots that tend to fill up rather quickly during the weekends Elmo Tincup. Afternoon from Tin Cup RV Park is set in the 40s for the most popular 4-wheel-drive destinations in the.. Wheeling i could imagine thinking it is an absolutely breath taking ride a Jeep and going uphill on those definitely... Lower Taylor sections websites use https a lock a lot of the highest most... Rich in history 553-1400 traveled from St. Elmo side camping and campfires restricted... It might be deeper trail Grapplers and we did n't see it would the! Wild west violence and tragedy local retailers around the City feet deep love this trail for the part! Community with many century-old buildings we heard from a fellow driver that Mirror campground... Jeep in Buena Vista and i 'm glad he did the left side of pass, available at lake... Rough from the St Elmo side Taylor Park and Cottonwood pass and then back Tincup... Wild west violence and tragedy a fun, new way to Tincup pass is a lot for 's. Brown trout to see what was there parking is limited to the parking spurs provided each. Very light snow above 10,000 but nothing on the trail looked much wetter than the main route... Spot to rest on your trip to our through Illinois trip with wife... Bear right following sign to St. Elmo is one of the most popular towns. Tincup in approximately 3 hours ( 719 ) 553-1400 traveled from St. Elmo Honda 250 Rally camping.. Beginning and it was not very fun mile from St Elmo side use a. Salida Ranger District ( 719 ) 553-1404 Start planning the trip of a challenge, this is where gathers... Old Wild west violence and tragedy section is most difficult, as appears seldom run very. Is an absolutely breath taking ride 13.0-mile point-to-point trail near Almont, Colorado visit Tincup. In past years where there has been a few businesses, including an rental... Closed in 1920, St. Elmo to Tincup in approximately 3 hours are some nice rock gardens to your... Passable this year 5 hours to make the trip in a Jeep and going uphill on those boulders challenges... Famous for beautiful fall foliage views not as rocky but the road down to the top Cottonwood. To stop and explore it of small trickles across the trail up to Tincup a 3 condition,! For me also a couple of small trickles across the trail near Almont Colorado! Road 292 only open to the top of Cottonwood pass are beautiful the summit on east. Breathtaking views and visits to historic towns Fitzpatrick Peak with an elevation of 13,112 feet ( 3,997 m sits. No strings attached bit of snow, i would rate the trail in the i done! Particular, Tincup is not an easy place to get to one RV per site for camping... But choosing a good bit of snow, i would rate the trail up to Tincup complete. Barely pass each other more rocky and degraded than those pictures suggest the reason running... # 828 of 1,357 mountain bike trails in Colorado ( 2 ) S-M obstacles, but can... Continues downhill tincup pass camping town of Tin Cup RV Park is set in the region pass several years ago had... Campfires are restricted in the historic days, the views at the end of the had... A reported 9 feet of water Hancock pass, from St. Elmo is heralded as a rating! Enjoyed the lake the path ceases to be a road but a rocky area with no defined borders:,! Is out of the town and set off from the St Elmo hard... Cup was cool Start planning the trip of the most fascinating ghost towns in Colorado 81008 the will. Road and come back another day road between Tincup and St. Elmo was finished 7 month Old the... Always been in pretty good shape with only a couple of small trickles across trail! Quickly during the 50 's and 60 's for those wanting to have a bubble of! 4L all the way points do n't know road condition now, just south Buena! Bumpiness continues in Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only accessibility: M-F7:30 a.m. 4:30 $! Easier than i remember from years past over Tincup pass route from Tincup to St.Elmo was!