Colorado Trails! Hiking, Running, Snowshoeing, and more

* 4/30/2025 I have made a minor tweak and added another waterfall hike which is walking distance from Agnes Vaille WaterFalls.

~HIKING AGNES VAILLE TRAIL TO AGNES VAILLE FALLS:The trail to Agnes Vaille Falls Begins from a roadside trailhead. The hike used to be a 1.2 mile out-and-back trip. Now, the upper segment is closed, so hikers are directed to take the approximately 1-mile loop hike on the Cascade Creek trail that still offers a great view of the waterfalls. We will follow the USFS regulations in this area as posted on the signage. The falls are very beautiful and photogenic but the area of the trail may still be unstable and should not be hiked. We will not be allowed to hike within the perimeter of the trail borders.

~After the Agnes Vaille Trail hike we’ll leave our vehicles where they are and walk .5 miles to the trailhead of CASCADE FALLS where we’ll see the falls from the roadside but we’ll head on down on the social trail to the creekbed for a better look and photo taking. Then we’ll walk back to our vehicles and head on to St. Elmo Ghost Town.

~St. Elmo, one of the most well preserved ghost towns in Colorado, was founded in 1880. Built around mining, the town hit its prime in 1890. With over 150 mine claims, a telegraph office, general store, five hotels, dance halls, a newspaper office and a schoolhouse, the population peaked at about 2,000 people.
Though it was first called Forest City, the small town's name was changed when the post office objected because there were too many towns with the same name. The new name was derived by Griffith Evans, one of the founders, who was reading a romantic nineteenth century novel by the same name.
The St. Elmo General Store is one of the few ghost town stores still open and in operation and will be open when we arrive. The store is a mom-and-pop shop known for its antiques and souvenirs. It operates seasonally, typically from early May through the end of September. Be sure to buy some snacks for the chipmunks!

~HIKING ST. ELMO COUNTY ROAD 294: Those who would like to hike St. Elmo County Road 294 towards Tin-Cup Pass. We'll begin the hike in the town of St. Elmo. The town of Tin Cup is 12 miles away but let’s make it a 4.5 mile hike out and back with an elevation gain of only 305 ft. The scenery is fantastic with views of several fourteeners, valleys and other canyons. This hike is known for its photography.

This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. As always, we’ll make sure to be aware of our surroundings and cautious of others, especially those who take Jeeps and other 4X4 vehicles on this road.

After the hikes and St Elmo, we'll head on into Nathrop for some grub which is included within the 10AM to 4PM time slot. Then it's onto Salida or wherever you all may want to go for some night time entertainment!

I think that about does it for a day in Chaffee County, Colorado
I hope to see you in St. Elmos!
Drive Carefully,
Don

KEYSTONE GULCH ROAD to COLORADO TRAIL via WEST RIDGE TRAIL
I’m just throwing this out there in case Keystone still has snow for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. I wouldn’t know but while Keystone doesn't have permanent, naturally occurring snowfields, their combination of natural snowfall and snowmaking provides a reliable and consistent snow experience during the winter season and even allows for some snow activities during the summer.

This is not a hiking trail but a snowshoe/cross skiing route. Yet, it would be a nice stroll to go on before the Long Run Concert (The Music of the Eagles) at the Dillon Amphitheater. So, let’s walk next to one another instead of behind or in front of one another and have a Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling kind of hike.

The Keystone Gulch Road is an easy to moderate 6.4 mile stroll to and from the Colorado Trail via the West Ridge Trail with a starting elevation of 9,265 ft and highest elevation of 10, 230 with an elevation gain of 1,000 ft. No avalanche danger.

Though Keystone Gulch Road is located in Keystone many of you may follow the directions below and drive through the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel into Dillon and go from there but I suggest you take the scenic route and head over Loveland Pass. What a trip!!! If you have never been to the summit of Loveland Pass you’re going to be very happy that you did…believe me! Maybe later this year we’ll hike from the summit of Loveland pass to the summit of Mount Sniktau.

DIRECTIONS: From interstate 70 at Silverthorne, take exit 205 then drive southeast on U.S. 6 for 5.5 miles. Turn right at the first stoplight into the Keystone Resort and stay left then turn right onto Soda Ridge Road. Follow Soda Ridge Road for 0.4 mile and then turn left onto the unpaved Keystone Gulch Road. Drive up the road for 0.1 mile and park on the left just before the open gate and the Forest Service kiosk. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH THE OPEN GATE.

You can only access this trailhead when the snow is gone for the season since the ski resort manages a gate at the start of the road. The road ascends gradually as the road snakes up the valley through the forest. The trail ends at an intersection with the Colorado Trail. If we go just a couple hundred feet to the north on the CT, we’ll come to a bald spot on the trail that offers awesome views of the surrounding area.