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Salida, Colorado

Horseback Riding Trails

Salida is located on the western bank of the Arkansas River at the junction of U.S. Hwy 50 & State Hwy 291. Salida's elevation is 7,038 feet. The trails near Salida, Colorado are located in the Salida Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest. The town is minutes from the national forest trailheads and is a major supply point for those riding in the region. Trails travel through the scenic Collegiate Peaks and Sangre de Christo Wilderness Areas. Trail elevations range from 7,320 feet to over 12,000 feet and provide access to segments of the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide.

San Isabel National Forest
Horseback Riding Trails
(click on trail name for complete information)

Trail

Location

Description
Angel Of Shavano Trailhead Salida Ranger District The Angel of Shavano Trailhead serves as an access point for segment 14 of the Colorado Trail, as well as access to the Mt. Shavano Trail.
Avalanche Trailhead Salida Ranger District Avalanche Trailhead is located 6 miles west of Buena Vista on Cottonwood Pass. It provides access to Segment 13 of the Colorado Trail that leads from North Cottonwood Creek to Chalk Creek.
Browns Creek Trail Salida Ranger District Browns Creek Trail provides access to scenic views of Mt. Antero and the central Rocky Mountain highlands. Fishing for trout is accessible in Browns and Little Browns Creeks.
Browns Pass Trail Salida Ranger District Browns Pass Trail leads north, from Denny Trailhead on Cottonwood Pass, into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.
Bushnell Lakes Salida Ranger District Visitors gain access to Bushnell Lakes Trail via the Rainbow Trail and Hayden Creek Campground. The trail lies in the Sangre de Christo Wilderness Area.
Colorado Trail (Chalk Creek to Highway 50) Salida Ranger District Segment 14 of the Colorado Trail extends 20 miles south from Chalk Creek Road to Highway 50 west of Maysville. This portion of the trail is open to foot, horse and bike traffic.
Colorado Trail (Clear Creek to North Cottonwood Creek) Salida Ranger District Segment 12 of the Colorado Trail leads 18 miles south from Clear Creek Road to North Cottonwood Creek Road. Opportunity exists to hike the lofty peaks of Mts. Harvard and Columbia from this section of the trail.
Colorado Trail (Highway 50 to Marshall Pass) Salida Ranger District Segment 15 of the Colorado Trail leads 14 miles south from Highway 50 to Marshall Pass. It is open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
Colorado Trail (North Cottonwood Creek to Chalk Creek) Salida Ranger District This segment of the Colorado Trail is known as #13, and leads south from North Cottonwood Creek to Chalk Creek. This segment provides access to Mt. Yale and Mt. Princeton fourteeners.
Hancock Lake Trail #1422 Salida Ranger District Hancock Lake Trail is an old path used by miners to carry supplies by mule to the mining camps. It connects with Forest Developed Road 230 at the Middle Fork of the south Arkansas River.
Hartenstein Trail Salida Ranger District Hartenstein Trail leads to Hartenstein Lake from Browns Pass Trail. This short trail provides beautiful vistas of an alpine lake and Mt. Yale.
Mt. Yale Salida Ranger District Mt. Yale rises out of the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness to a height of 14,196'. The route from the Denny Creek Trailhead leads 3.5 miles to the summit with a 4,300' elevation gain.
Poplar Gulch Trail Salida Ranger District The Poplar Gulch Trail leads north miles from St. Elmo to South Cottonwood Creek. It traverses 2 scenic valleys and over a high saddle for views of the Sawatch Mountain Range.
Ptarmigan Lake Trail Salida Ranger District Ptarmigan Lake Trail leads 3.3 miles from Cottonwood Pass Road to the lake. Users will find good fishing for native cutthroat trout in the cold waters of Ptarmigan Lake.
Rainbow Trail #1336 Segment Mears Junction (Hwy 28) Salida Ranger District This section of the Rainbow Trail leads 13 miles west from Mears Junction Trailhead to the Colorado Trail. The western end of this segment is closed to mechanized and motorized vehicles.
Rainbow Trail #1336 Segment: Big Cottonwood Creek Salida Ranger District This segment of the Rainbow Trail extends 13.5 miles from Big Cottonwood Creek to Stout Creek south of Salida. It offers excellent views of the Arkansas River Valley and the Sangre de Christo Mountains.
Rainbow Trail #1336 Segment: North Brush Creek to Big Cottonwood Creek Salida Ranger District This segment of the Rainbow Trail leads 12 miles north from North Brush Creek to Big Cottonwood Creek. This part of the Rainbow Trail may be used by hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and motorcycle riders.
Rainbow Trail #1336 Segment: Stout Creek to Bear Creek Salida Ranger District This segment of the Rainbow Trail extends 12.2 miles north from Stout Creek to Bear Creek. Most of this segment follows the eastern border of the Sangre de Christo Wilderness.
Stout Creek Trail #1403 Salida Ranger District Stout Creek Lakes are accessible from the Rainbow Trail. The trail leads west into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. No mechanized or motorized vehicles are permitted on this trail.
Tunnel Lake Trail Salida Ranger District The Tunnel Lake Trail leads users 5 miles over high alpine terrain. The trail never dips lower than 11,000'. Weather should be an important consideration when deciding to hike or ride this trail.
Wagon Loop Trail Salida Ranger District This loop provides a relatively easy day hike or ride. The total mileage is approximately 3.5 miles to complete the loop. Fishing is good in Browns Creek and Little Browns Creek.
Waterdogs Lakes Trail Salida Ranger District This trail leads 2 miles west from Monarch Pass to Waterdog Lakes. The lakes are surrounded by 12,000' peaks that form the Continental Divide.
 Notes:
  1.  Links powered by Wildernet.
  2. San Isabel National Forest--The official agency website.
  3. Salida Ranger District--(719) 539-3591
    U.S. Forest Service, 325 Rainbow Blvd.; Salida, CO 81201

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