September 21-26, 2014
The drive from Grand Lake to Buena Vista was on the west side of the Rockies. It followed mountain rivers and the sights were fabulous. My main objective was to catch the Colorado Aspens with their fall golden foliage.
Buena Vista is in the heart of what they call the “collegiate range”, mountains named after colleges and most, if not all, 14ers – over 14,000 feet to the peak.
I stayed at Buena Vista RV resort.
Here’s a map of the “Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway” with Buena Vista pretty much smack in the middle. (image from https://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/collegiate.html )
I explored the town a bit on arrival and it looks like there are some great places to eat and shop during my stay.
The next morning I set off to explore the mountains and the ghost town of St. Elmo.
The ride to and from St Elmo was much more interesting than the town itself. Here is a view of aspens on Mt. Princeton seen along the way.
Here is Mt. Yale from the campground – 6-8 inches of snow had fallen the previous night on the 14ers.
And here is Mt. Columbia – also across from campground.
The next day, September 23, I set off to Twin Lakes in the San Isabel National Forest. I wanted to get there at the crack of dawn when reflections of the mountains and Aspens on the lake water is most vivid.
Reflections were kind of a bust …
After lunch I went to check out the midland tunnels. The following is from https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/midland-railroad-tunnels/
“The Midland Railroad Tunnels are a series of tunnels used by the Colorado Midland railway from the 1880s until its closure in the early part of the twentieth century. The tunnels ran between Colorado Springs, Leadville, and Aspen, carrying shipments of silver, iron ore, and supplies to Colorado pioneers.
It was the first standard gauge railroad to run throughout Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide as it made its way between Colorado Springs, Leadville, and Aspen, with important stops along the route at places like Glenwood Springs. In 1897, Glenwood Springs became one of the first towns in America to install electric lights.”
I can’t believe I’m a year behind in uploading these posts. I’m determined to these done before I start another trip.
Two days before leaving Buena Vista I took a long drive to Aspen, crossing the Continental Divide at Independence Pass.
The drive to the pass starts fairly easy but as you gain elevation and approach the pass the switchbacks become quite severe. I was surprised to pass bicyclists heading up the mountains.
The town of Aspen is not far after the pass. Walking around the town center you can see the ski slopes.
And the monkeys –
After Aspen and on the way back to Buena Vista via Independence Pass I stopped at the Grottos Hiking Tail. It’s a short (~1 mile) trail that passes waterfalls and caves.
On my last day in Buena Vista I was determined to get photographs of the mountains and Aspens reflected in the lake water and was successful.
The next day, September 27, I headed to Colorado Springs.