Browns Canyon National Monument - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Chinaman Gulch is a very popular, difficult rock crawling trail best suited for modified vehicles. Minimal snow to the area makes it an ideal location for winter wheeling. There are many obstacles and rocks to play on along this 4wd trail, many of which provide multiple lines from easy to hard. Although not very scenic, the occasional views of the Collegiate Peaks are astonishing.

Experience this 10.9-km out-and-back trail near Nathrop, Colorado. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 28 min to complete. This trailhead is at 8,900' and there is a large parking area. If you have a good clearance 4WD, you can continue up the narrow 322 (Mt. Princeton) road. Just after the lower parking area, there is a fork in the road - stay right on the main road. Drive 3 miles to the radio towers at 10,800'.

A majestic hill that was located in the heart of Chaffee, which offers breathtaking views and its trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Buena Vista, Colorado.

Buena Vista is situated in scenic Chaffee County, between the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River in south-central Colorado, and is known for its laid-back, mountain-town vibe .Buena Vista is sometimes referred as the “banana belt”, because of its temperate and arid climate that provides 300+ days of sunlight. It’s common for someone to ride a snowmobile or cross-country ski in snowy, frigid conditions in the mountains, and then return to Buena Vista.

The Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands covers nearly three million acres from western Kansas and Colorado's highest mountain peaks along the Continental Divide. This landscape offers a variety of ecosystems rich in history, geology, scenery, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.

Chalk Creek is a 27.3-mile-long river flowing east from the Collegiate Peaks mountain range in Chaffee County. The river is surrounded by a mix of privately owned and US forest service land. Campgrounds and public trails, including the Colorado Trail, are located along the length of the river. Several hot springs emerge in this valley.The river is named after the magnificent white kaolinite cliffs that stand at the entrance to the Chalk Creek valley, and are a result of hot spring deposits.