20 Attractions to Explore Near West Buffalo Peak

The Buffalo Peaks are the twin southern sentinels of the relaxed Mosquito Mountains. It is one of the iconic location for a trek and also there are so many things to see and do. For climbers the Buffalo Peaks offer a chance to get away from crowds and enjoy something distinctive yet different. Both mountains are but a healthy hike but the hike is memorable.

The Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is located in Park County, about 30 miles southwest of Denver. The wilderness area comprises two distinct peaks, East Buffalo Peak and West Buffalo Peak, which are connected by a deep canyon. The area is known for its scenic beauty, with towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and expansive views. Wildlife is abundant in the wilderness, with elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and black bears all making their home in the park.

Clear Creek Reservoir, a 407 acre impoundment, offers excellent fishing for rain- bow, cutthroat and brown trout.Boating, camping and fishing are available at the lake, but even more recreation exists further west on the county road.

Trout Creek Pass, elevation 9,346 ft is a mountain pass located in the Rocky Mountains of south-central Colorado in the United States. The pass sits atop the southern end of the Mosquito Range on the Park-Chaffee county line, between South Park and the headwaters of the Arkansas River to the west. It is traversed jointly by U.S. Highway 24 and US 285. It is passable by most motorized vehicles and is closed only during severe winter storms.

Weston Pass is a relatively easy, but rewarding off road destination in a beautiful area of ​​Rocky Mountain high country. This trail is not difficult though there are a few rocks in the trail that you may want to avoid if you do not have much clearance. The journey over Weston Pass was commonly known as “The Road to Riches,” with prospectors busy transporting the area’s silver and gold.

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.

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.

Mount Columbia is a high mountain summit of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,077-foot fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, 9.9 milesnorthwest by west of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado. This trail is great for birding, horseback riding, and mountain biking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

Twin Lakes Reservoir is surrounded by nature, with the typical Colorado recreation found within the bordering San Isabel National Forest. It has a surface area of 2700 acres and a maximum capacity of 141,000 acre-feet. Recreation includes boating, fishing for trout, and camping at five Forest Service campgrounds in the area.

The North Cottonwood trail travels west for 4.3 miles to Kroenke Lake. The trail has numerous creek crossing and is lush and green with alpine vegetation. Take advantage of this trail in the peak of summer for wildflower season with July being the best month for the breathtaking flowers.

Mt. Harvard is the third highest peak in Colorado and only one of three 14ers within Colorado that rises above 14,400 feet. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 49 min to complete. This is a very popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Mount Oxford is a high mountain summit of the Collegiate Peaks in the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County. The 14,160-foot fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, 14.2 miles northwest of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. The mountain was named in honor of the University of Oxford.

Antero Reservoir is located in Park County, Colorado. The reservoir sits at an elevation of 8,500 feet and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It is a popular destination for fishing, camping, and boating, and is home to a variety of wildlife, including eagles, osprey, deer, and elk. Antero Reservoir was created in 1969 by damming the South Platte River. The reservoir has a capacity of 42,000 acre-feet and covers an area of 1,300 acres.

Twin Lakes Dam is a dam in Lake County, Colorado, about 13 miles south of Leadville. The earthen dam was constructed in 1978 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation with a height of 53 feet and a length at its crest of 3150 feet. It has a surface area of 2700 acres and a maximum capacity of 141,000 acre-feet.

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.

Mount Belford is a high mountain summit of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,203-foot fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest, 15.0 miles northwest by west of the Town of Buena Vista in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. A good trekking destination and also it offers breath taking views.

The Missouri Gulch trail is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area of the San Isabel National Forest between Leadville and Buena Vista, Colorado. It begins at a large parking area south of Clear Creek Road (Chaffee County Road 390) across the road from the old town of Vicksburg. This trail ends at its junction with the Pine Creek Trail. The first 3.5 miles are strenuous, with an elevation gain of 3,500 feet.

Horseshoe Mountain is one of Colorado's highest peak ranked at number 72 with 758 feet of prominence. The mountain has a unique and prominent cirque. The cirque is tilted and made up of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that formed on the floors of ancient seas.

Missouri Mountain is a high mountain summit in the Collegiate Peaks of the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. This mountain offers one of the few opportunities for any technical climbing in the Sawatch Range. It is possible to climb Belford, Oxford and Missouri together, but it makes for a long, hard day. This is a popular trail for camping, hiking, and snowshoeing, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

Mount Yale is the eighth highest peak in the Sawatch Range and twenty-first in the state on Colorado. There are two routes up the mountain, each with accessible trailheads year-round. This makes it a good training peak for more difficult hikes and climbs. With lots of camping in the area, it’s a great opportunity to stay and climb several Sawatch 14ers in one trip.