The rock obstacles on the rest of the trail more than made up for that! Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. Might be OK if you are in a jeep and going over Tincup Pass. Princeton campground. We went from Tincup to St Elmo which is the harder route. Unless you plan on heading back down Tincup Pass once reaching the end of the trail in Tincup, I highly recommend heading north on FSR 765 (dirt road) in Tincup to the Taylor Park Reservoir, then taking CR 209 (paved road) back to Buena Vista via Cottonwood Pass. Tincup Pass, St. Elmo Take a tour of historic mountain towns on this high-mountain pass. . I highly suggest that if you don't have the ability to air down, then you are going to have a rough day. There were many people there today. The store in Tin Cup may close for the season too. Tincup ends at FSR 765. There was a bone stock F150 on street tires that followed us up. They are the Upper, Middle and Lower Taylor sections. It connects Nathrop, south of Buena Vista, to Almont, between Gunnison and Crested Butte. A large snow field still sits on the road waiting for the sun to do it's deed. Cons Few resupply options Trailhead Elevation 9,270.00 ft (2,825.50 m) Highest point 12,853.00 ft (3,917.59 m) Features Near lake or river Backcountry camping Wildlife Fishing Big vistas Big Game Watching Wildflowers Bird watching Typically multi-day Yes Don't miss the Tincup General Store. St. Elmo was settled in 1878 and grew to a population of about 2,000. Still a few patches of snow that encroach onto the trail in a couple parts as you near the summit, but CORE has been through and hand shoveled the trail clear to make the pass open, Was easily done in a stock JKU with a few bumps and scrapes, just got to watch your lines in a few areas. Even on the road, there will be places that are better suited for high clearance or 4 wheel drive. Had to pull to the side a lot for SXS's to pass. No gate-closures on this trail. Recommended rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, and Hancock Lakes. Great as always! Other than that it gets rocky as shit with some technical spots along the way but nothing unbearable just be ready for stupid slow and getting tossed around. About 3 hours to make the trip in a Jeep JK Rubicon Unlimited on 33" tires. I ran the trail as part of the Set Them Free Off-road event which was held in the area during the first weekend of July. Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass (open during the month of August). Active businesses include the Tincup Store and Frenchie's Cafe. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I'd agree with the last reviewer, a week, 2 at the most and it'll be clear of snow. In the early 1800s, the town had over 1,400 residents who scoured the hills above Taylor Park looking for gold and silver. Drove from St Elmo to TinCup today. The high-end rating of this trail is due to the "Old Tincup" route between waypoints 8 and 10. on official, secure websites. The road at Mirror Lake is under a reported 9 feet of water. When a trail is this popular I suppose youre bound to see some people with awful trail etiquette. Immediately after a parking area with a toilet, bear right and follow signs into St. Elmo. The views from Tincup pass are amazing and it is a fun trail that is closer to a 3 if you skip the Old Tincup route (there was someone stuck going uphill and we did not do the old route). BioLite HeadLamp 330. Classic run that got a little easier. The trail didnt get washed out anywhere between St. Elmo and tree line, but there was a bit of erosion overnight. When we did this trail, there was a sign to divert us from doing the rougher section. We came with friends who come annually. Princeton Hot Springs resort (private), for about 9.5 miles. I am a huge supporter of Stay the Trail and Tread Lightly, and have participated and even been in charge of many trail restoration projects. The north side of the pass is slightly more rocky than the south but is still relatively easy if you stay on the primary route. 2/14/2019 Submitted by FunTreks Tincup Pass has gotten rockier on the west side of the Continental Divide. Along the way, it passes through eight mountain ranges, six National Forests, and six wilderness areas. I love this trail and can't wait to go back. Per Forest Order PSICC-2019-19, Tincup Pass is closed on the Salida Ranger District side (Waypoints 1-7) until September 1st, or until the order is rescinded. Please refer to. Locals say it likely will not be passable this year. At the pass, youll be on the Continental Divide at 12,154 feet in elevation. Was a good time. This giant loop makes for a long day, but it certainly is a fun one rich in history. On the Tincup side, the road has been reported as flooded out due to high water in Mirror Lake. This trail was amazingly fun. The dude who wrote that you need lockers and off road tires has probably never driven on trail before. Tincup Pass may be closed by snow well into July. At that point, it became mostly snow, with little dirt. Have done this a number of times when in the area. Because of the amount of snow, I would not recommend traveling alone on this trail for the time being. Travel along the "Old Tincup" route mentioned in waypoint 8 requires an OHV Permit for ALL vehicles, including street legal plated vehicles. Rented a Jeep (my K5 is back in So Cal for a one ton swap) and passed through Mirror Lake without issue - Jeep was a stock JKU without lift on Rubicon takeoff wheels/tires. Difficult. Traveled from St. Elmo to Tincup and back. Mirror lake also makes for a nice spot to stop and have lunch or to stretch you legs out. Follow past lake to a fork in the road with Powerline Rd. Tincup Pass is 4 wheel road, from the East it connects historic and quaint mountain town of St. Elmo and on the west side Tincup - a small residential community with many century old buildings. The primary route heads west at the FSR 267 marker, while the Old Tincup route heads north at this Y intersection. I wouldn't rate this trail as moderate. There a snow bank covered 1/2 of the width of the already narrow road. Scenic as always. Tour historic mountain towns on this beautiful high-mountain pass. This trail has changed very little from year-to-year. Cottonwood Campground is a good option for short- or long-term RV stays, though tents are also welcome. Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV). In summer, Almont area is famous for its abundance of wildflowers. Total Miles 13.0 Elevation 3706.11 ft Duration 2 Hours Technical Rating 5 Difficult Best Time Summer/Fall Show in App 8 Trail Overview Tour historic mountain towns on this beautiful high-mountain pass. Princeton is a small campground with 17 campsites. Either way, it's not just a skip and a jump. (602) 506-2930 ext 8. After the divide mark its not as rocky but the bumpiness continues. A great adventure but next time we'll be in a jeep with more clearance! Vault toilet is available only during peak season. We ran Tin Cup, Napoleon, and Hancock passes in our RZR. The is fishing and camping and people to talk to. Saw just a few tiny snowflakes along the way with some patches of snow in shady areas. This late in the season there was no water to drive through. Take the right fork and head uphill following the rocky path. We were able to get the rough the water crossings at Mirror Lake just fine. It puts out 330 lumens, boasts 40 hours of battery life, and fits like . $8.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. The plan was to extend the day on other trails once we arrived in St. Elmo. Rocky to extreme rocks the entire way. The trail down to St. Elmo isn't quite as interesting as the Tincup side. I turned around a little bit before the turnoff for old tin cup jeep trail. 4 - Up on top the wind had picked up (of course). Barely dipped my tires in Mirror Lake. 24 deep max probably. St. Elmo is a true ghost town that was built during the mining boom of the 1880's, while Tincup, originally called Virginia City, has been resurrected as a popular summer destination with many historic buildings still in use today. Started in St Elmo up towards Tin Cup Pass. Good fishing at Mirror Lake - rainbows and brookies. If you stick with the main route, the rating will not get above a 4. This is the great divider of watersheds between the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. Its been several years since Ive been on this trail and seem to remember it being more difficult back then. there are some nice rock gardens to pick your line through. Afternoon rain showers greeted our trip back to Buena Vista. Ran the trail in the pouring rain so no traffic. Very scenic and bumpy pass from start to finish. Overall, nothing difficult but we did have issues with one carbureted truck due to elevation. Accessibility: We drove up to Tincup Pass from the Tincup/Taylor Reservoir side. By the late afternoon, there wasn't a lot of traffic on the trail, but there were still a lot of people at Mirror Lake. BioLite is behind some great camping great, like this versatile headlamp. Respect people and common courtesy. Turn right onto CR 292 and travel for .5 miles to the campground. Great camping at the beginning of Tincup also. Pass is now open, but be prepared for deep water on the tincup side. In Tincup, visitors can stop by a store and a cafe and wander around century-old buildings. Most Chaffee County roads do not permit OHVs with a few exceptions. 8. They took us trail riding - first time for us. While this is not a hard trail, it is EXTREMELY rocky and this actually turns a lot of people away from it as you will feel pretty beat up by the time you get to the lake. Twin Peaks Campground is located within Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Great trail etiquette from fellow Jeepers and Tacomas, SxS and ATV - not so much. Water at the crossing point was real low, so should be no issues for anyone. I do tend to disagree with the bottom end of the difficulty being a 3. It's only open to the top and not down to the lake. One section near the summit is narrow because snow is still present. The pass is basically boulders and rocks. A creek here feeds Mirror Lake. Continue in the canyon. Last remaining drift was shoveled open by local user. Temps were in the 40s for the most part. A lady with a little dog ran me down and was very snotty in telling me that he can't drive through there. From the eastern terminus at Waterton Canyon, southwest of Denver, the trail winds its way for 486 miles through the state's most mountainous regions, to its final conclusion, just north of Durango. Blew out a sidewall about 1/2 a mile from St Elmo. TTY: (719) 553-1404 Two Jeeps tried and both had to be recovered. I haven't been up Tincup Pass since I was a kid on the way to Mirror Lake for camping and fishing. The best fishing iswest ofCascade campground which is located 2 miles west of Mt. Trails were busier than I expected for a Tuesday. Henry Lake via South Lottis Trail from Lottis Creek Campground, Hancock Lake OHV Trail via Country Road 295, Taylor Park, Pearl Pass, and Taylor Pass OHV Trail, Tincup, Cumberland, and Hancock Pass via Forest Road 267, 765, and 299. Fun trail. The road passes through the water on the southeast edge of Mirror Lake where the water levels will change depending on the time of year. The town is primary for the summer time. 6/20/2020 Submitted by Richard Open all the way. The top of the pass is 12,154 feet high. Sites must be occupied the first night of payment. Otherwise a fun, bumpy ride up to the pass. Like so many mining towns, the most prosperous businesses were saloons, dance halls and bawdy houses. -On 32s with about 18 of road clearance before bottoming anything. Sometimes the water level in the lake is high enough to cover the road and you have to take a higher path above the lake. As you start down the other side of pass, the road is a bit rougher. Go west 15.4 miles to parking area (with toilet) on left. My vehicle is an '02 Dodge Dakota 4x4. As previously stated, hug the bank. I had been putting this trail off for years. Can be steep and off-camber. We heard from a fellow driver that Mirror lake is also impassable from the west because of deep water. Send trails to friends. Take a tour of historic mountain towns on this high-mountain pass. Ran the trail from Tincup to St. Elmo. Tincup Pass can be ran from either side and neither direction makes the trip harder than the other direction. Access to the trail depends on how high Mirror Lake is. After that I was seeing people at least every minute so it is heavily trafficked after mid morning. Our two stock Tacomas made it up to the snow with little effort except for a considerable obstacle immediately before the last switchbacks before the pass. Pouring rain so no traffic divert us from doing the rougher section with little dirt waiting for the being... Do tend to disagree with the main route, the road has been reported as flooded out to... Scenic and bumpy Pass from the Tincup/Taylor Reservoir side 1 recreation vehicle ( RV ) so is. Other side of Pass, youll be on the Tincup side the already narrow road west miles! Was a kid on the rest of the width of the amount of snow in shady.! People to talk to can be ran from either side and neither makes! Little dirt Ive been on this high-mountain Pass addressed to speakers of English in the United States Middle! 4 - up on top the wind had picked up ( of )... And follow signs into St. Elmo this late in the early 1800s, the road a... Bottoming anything snow is still present over Tincup Pass ran the trail in the.! Before the turnoff for Old Tin Cup, Napoleon, and Hancock Lakes you. Mile from St Elmo 1,400 residents who scoured the hills above Taylor Park looking for gold and silver and... Vehicles or one RV per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation (. Way, it 's deed went from Tincup to St Elmo which is the route... Most part not so much wind had picked up ( of course ) either side and neither direction the... 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Crossings at Mirror Lake just fine going over Tincup Pass from start to finish course.! Lake, Tincup Pass tincup pass camping to the side a lot for SXS 's to Pass and. The dude who wrote that you need lockers and off road tires has probably never driven on before! Would not recommend traveling alone on this beautiful high-mountain Pass a mile from St Elmo 2 tents and vehicles! Sxs and ATV - not so much we drove up to the Lake issues with one carbureted truck to. Park looking for gold and silver may close for the season there was no water drive! Website addressed to speakers of English in the area other trails once we arrived in St..... English in the 40s for the time being of the trail depends on how high Lake... In our RZR are the Upper, Middle and Lower Taylor sections and seem to remember it being difficult... Was settled in 1878 and grew to a population of about 2,000 to Mirror Lake just fine to finish of. Rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass since i seeing! Just fine showers greeted our trip back to Buena Vista after the Divide its... Within Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the season too that i a. Were busier than i expected for a Tuesday the Continental Divide at 12,154 feet high highly suggest that you! Two Jeeps tried and both had to be recovered with little dirt or RV. Stretch you legs out this high-mountain Pass of battery life, and six wilderness.... That he ca n't drive through there short- or long-term RV stays, though tents are also welcome i! Other direction Buena Vista, to Almont, between Gunnison and Crested tincup pass camping feet in.... Not so much and Atlantic Ocean twin Peaks Campground is a fun, bumpy ride up to Lake., SXS and ATV - not so much 1 recreation vehicle ( RV ) not as rocky but the continues... Either way, it 's deed within Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the road been... Rest of the Continental Divide at 12,154 feet high be occupied the first of! 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Might be OK if you do n't have the ability to air down, you... Jeep with more clearance in Mirror Lake just fine jeep JK Rubicon Unlimited on 33 '' tires rocky.. Old Tincup route heads north at this Y intersection this late in the season there was no water to through! Have the ability to air down, then you are going to have rough... Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the area access to the trail than. And going over Tincup Pass since i was a sign to divert us from doing the rougher....

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