Salida Rock Hounding and Buena Vista Rock Hounding

by Colorado Headwaters.com

A treasure trove of minerals and fossils attract modern day prospectors to the Upper Arkansas Valley. Aquamarine, the state gemstone, can be found on the flanks of 14,269-foot Mount Antero, the highest gem field in North America.

Marshall Pass, in the southwest corner of the Valley is a popular site for collecting small geodes. Quartz crystal varieties including clear, smoky quartz and citrine containing streaks of pyrite, aka Fools Gold, can be found around the ghost town of Turret.

Pick up a detailed rockhounding guide at the Rock Doc at Prospectors Village in Nathrop or the Gem Factory in Salida.

Mountain Climbing
Horse Back Riding
Mountain Biking
Rock Hounding
Four-Wheeling
Snow Mobiling
Snow Shoeing
Gold Panning
Camping
Hunting
ATVing
Golfing
Fishing
Rafting
Hiking
Skiing

Besides great trails, it's the amazing climate that's generating buzz about riding in the Upper Arkanasas Valley. Year-round riding rarely requires more than making sure to pack layers: a jacket to brace against the odd mid-summer high country snow squall, or to shed when sun and dry climate make you sweat even though there may be snow on the shady side of the road.

Depending on skill, age and ambition, a gamut of mountain bike rides will challenge every member of your group from the gentle Salida to the Midland and Monarch Crest trails. Once you've chalked up the Continental Divide Trail, Crest and Rainbow trails, hundreds of miles of high alpine mining routes remain, waiting to be explored.

Bike Events
April 5-6, 26-27, 2008	Yeti Spring Series
May 2-4, 2008	Chalk Creek Stampede
May 17, 2008	Cruiser Criterium
July 25-27, 2008	Salida Omnium
Aug 9-10, 2008	Going Green 100
Sept 20-21, 2008	Banana Belt Mountain Bike Fest

Salida Rock Hounding and Buena Vista Rock Hounding

Bike Events