Get Out and Go ... to Chaffee County

  • Published
  • By Ann Patton
  • Academy Spirit staff writer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Chaffee County wants visitors to come out and play. 

Two hours west of Colorado Springs, the county overflows with getaway opportunities for both hearty outdoor activities and more leisurely travel anytime of the year, whether for a day trip or longer stay. 

"We're Colorado Springs' outdoor playground, and we have everything you could imagine," said John Engelbrecht, executive director of the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce in Salida, the county seat. "The only thing you can't do is surf." 

This weekend features the area's largest community event: FIBArk, or First in Boating on the Arkansas. Now in its 61st year, the festival is the oldest and longest whitewater competition in the country and features food, music, a carnival and boat races. 

The Arkansas River meanders throughout the county. It is an attraction unto itself as it changes from fast-moving rapids fueled by mountain snowmelt in the spring and early summer to a more serene flow in late August when water levels drop. The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is one of the longest and narrowest recreation areas in the country, following the river from Leadville to Pueblo. 

The county boasts the highest concentration of mountains over 14,000 feet in altitude, known as fourteeners. Twelve of the 54 fourteeners are located in Chaffee County. Among those, Collegiate Peaks bear names such as Princeton and Harvard. 

For outdoor lovers, the county is a natural paradise all year. In the spring, visitors can take wildflower tours or go mushroom hunting. In the summer, rafters and kayakers take advantage of the high spring water and pit their oars against mild to swift-moving rapids. Fishing becomes especially fruitful in late summer, whether from the shore, wading or float fishing. In the fall, hunters flock to the area for elk and deer. In the winter, snow birds can enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling as well as downhill skiing and snowboarding at Monarch Ski Resort, only 20 minutes from Salida. Monarch is known for having more natural snow on its trails than most Colorado ski resorts. 

The mountains also offer rich opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, four-wheeling, Jeeping, motorcycling and geocaching. Private operators in the area offer hot air ballooning, llama trekking and horseback riding. Mountain bikers can take advantage of the Crest Trail, which follows the spine of the Continental Divide for 12 miles. 

"It's pretty spectacular," Mr. Engelbrecht said and added in clear weather cyclists can enjoy views all the way to Utah and New Mexico. 

Photographers and artists flock to the area year round to capture the its spectacular scenery. 

At 7,000 feet above sea level and with a high alpine desert climate -- the area only receives 11 inches of moisture per year, mostly from snowfall -- Chaffee County stays a few degrees cooler than Colorado Springs on average, but the weather there still remains relatively mild all year. 

"It is so mild in the winter you can ski powder in the morning and fish or play golf in the afternoon," Mr. Englebrecht said. 

More laid-back travelers can explore Salida, a small town with population of about 5,000. Visitors can walk along the town's tree-lined residential streets or along the river walk. Salida also is home to more than 30 galleries showcasing art from a wide array of genres. Shoppers can also check out the town's other unique gift and antique shops, cafes, and specialty stores. The town is also home to a nine-hole golf course and the Steam Plant, a 220-seat theater. 

A history museum attached to the Chamber of Commerce offices tells the story of Salida, which traces its origins back to the mid-19th century when the area, center of the Colorado Mineral Belt, enjoyed the spreading wealth of the gold rush. The town got its name from the Spanish, meaning "gateway," at that time a gateway to riches. 

Whether in the mountains, near town or along the river, Chaffee County offers accommodations for tents, recreational vehicles or cabin camping all year long. The county also has 1,200 reasonably priced motel rooms, with more under construction. Restaurants include fast-food establishments, sit-down family-style eateries with American fare, and specialty cafés, as well as restaurants featuring Asian cuisine, steak and Mexican food. Salida has a small hospital, with 24-hour emergency services. 

To get to Chaffee County, take Colorado Highway 115 south to Florence, turn onto U.S. Highway 50 West toward Cañon City, and proceed through the Big Horn Sheep Canyon to Salida. The canyon's amazing high cliffs and wildlife make the drive alone worth the trip.