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4X4 Off Road Jeep Tours - Pre-Trip Information

Here's How to Find US!
Here's What You Need to Know

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Please share with everyone in your group. If you have any questions or need additional information call us at 1-800-462-7238.

DEPARTURE and RETURN TIMES
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your trip departure time.

WHERE TO MEET
From downtown Buena Vista's only stoplight, drive three blocks south to just past Mill Street. High Country Jeep Tours is located on the west side of the highway between Rally Liquor and the Great Western Sumac Lodge - north of City Market. Look for the Jeep Tours sign.

We suggest you use the Colorado State Road Map and plan for delays. Visit our Denver Region Map for assistance on getting out of Denver

Getting Out of Denver:
From North Denver, take I-70 west. Just before entering the mountains, take Exit 260 onto C-470 towards Colorado Springs and continue on C-470 and exit at the Highway 285 and Fairplay exit. Follow the 'Denver' directions below once you are on Highway 285.

From Central Denver, take Hampden Avenue west. Hampden Avenue turns into Highway 285 as you leave Denver. Follow the 'Denver' directions once you are on Highway 285.

From South Denver, take C-470 towards Grand Junction and continue on C-470 and exit at the Highway 285 and Fairplay exit. Follow the 'Denver' directions in the next paragraph once you are on Highway 285.

From Denver: Take Hwy. 285 south for about 120 miles until you descend Trout Creek Pass into the Arkansas River Valley (about 35 miles or 40 minutes past the town of Fairplay). At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass continue past our mountain shaped sign and our whitewater rafting office at mile marker 213.8 to High Country Jeep Tours. Cross the bridge over the Arkansas River and continue through Johnson Village to the "T" junction of Hwy 24 and Hwy 285. Follow Hwy 24 North (right) to the town of Buena Vista. Once in Buena Vista look for High Country Jeep Tours just after the City Market on the West (left) side of the street. If you hit the stop light you went to far. Approximately 2-½ hours.

From Colorado Springs: Take US Highway 24 west to the junction with US Highway 285 (about 80 miles or 1 ½ hours from Colorado Springs). Turn left and proceed south on Highway 24 / 285 for about 20 minutes until you enter the Arkansas River valley. At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass continue past our mountain shaped sign and our whitewater rafting office at mile marker 213.8 to High Country Jeep Tours. Cross the bridge over the Arkansas River and continue through Johnson Village to the "T" junction of Hwy 24 and Hwy 285. Follow Hwy 24 North (right) to the town of Buena Vista. Once in Buena Vista look for High Country Jeep Tours just after the City Market on the West (left) side of the street. If you hit the stop light you went to far. Approximately 2 hours.

From Salida and all points South: From the junction of Highways 50 and 285 in Poncha Springs (five miles west of Salida and 60 miles east of Gunnison) head north on Highway 285. Continue north 25 miles to the town of Buena Vista. Once in Buena Vista look for High Country Jeep Tours just after the City Market on the West (left) side of the street. If you hit the stop light you went to far. Approximately 40 minutes from Salida.

From Vail, I-70 and Summit County: Take I-70 to Copper Mountain and take Exit #195 onto Highway 91 south. Just before entering Leadville, Highway 91 merges with Highway 24. Continue through Leadville on Highway 24 and travel another 35 miles south along the river to the town of Buena Vista. From downtown Buena Vista's only stoplight, continue three blocks south to just past Mill Street. High Country Jeep Tours is located on the West (right) side of the highway between Rally Liquor and the Great Western Sumac Lodge - north of City Market. Look for the Jeep Tours sign. Approximately 1-½ hours.

From Aspen: Take Highway 82 east over Independence Pass to the junction of Highways 82 and 24. Turn right on Highway 24 and continue south along the river about 20 miles to the town of Buena Vista (about 20 minutes). From downtown Buena Vista's only stoplight, continue three blocks south to just past Mill Street. High Country Jeep Tours is located on the West (right) side of the highway between Rally Liquor and the Great Western Sumac Lodge - north of City Market. Look for the Jeep Tours sign. Approximately 1-½ hours.

From Breckenridge: Take Highway 9 south over Hoosier Pass for 36 miles through the town of Fairplay to the stoplight at the junction of Highways 9 and 285. Turn right on Highway 285 and go south for 35 miles until you descend Trout Creek Pass into the Arkansas River Valley (40 minutes from Fairplay). At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass continue past our mountain shaped sign and our whitewater rafting office at mile marker 213.8 to High Country Jeep Tours. Cross the bridge over the Arkansas River and continue through Johnson Village to the "T" junction of Hwy 24 and Hwy 285. Follow Hwy 24 North (right) to the town of Buena Vista. Once in Buena Vista look for High Country Jeep Tours just after the City Market on the West (left) side of the street. If you hit the stop light you went to far. Approximately 1-½ hours.

WHAT TO BRING

• Boots or Tennis Shoes (no sandals)
• Long Pants
• Jacket
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Camera and Film
• Car Seat (if applicable)
• Cash for Tipping Your Guide

WE PROVIDE

• 5 to 7 Passenger Jeeps
• Professional Drivers
• Water
• Snack
• Lunch on Full-Day Trips
• Rain Poncho

ORIENTATION: Prior trip departure you will receive a trip orientation.
PARTNERSHIP: All Jeep tours are hosted by High Country Jeep Tours of Buena Vista.
WHAT TO WEAR: The jeeps are open topped and at high altitudes the weather can change quickly. Be prepared for cooler temperatures and the occasional rain shower. We suggest you bring light layers to keep you warm. Sturdy shoes, not sandals, are recommended for walking around in the mountains.
LIABILITY RELEASE: Everyone will be required to sign a liability release form prior to trip departure. Youths not riding with their parents will need to provide a copy of our liability release signed by one or both parents. Please note that unaccompanied youth must have a parent or guardian co-sign a liability release ahead of time. These completed liabilities must be presented to us upon check-in. Liabilities can be downloaded here.
TIPPING: Tipping is appropriate particularly if you have received exceptional customer service. If you believe that a tip is appropriate we recommend an average tip of $5/guest/day. We always appreciate hearing from you so that we can recognize extraordinarily customer service and we also appreciate hearing from you if you feel that there are areas that we can improve upon. We strive to exceed your expectations!
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: We do not provide alcohol on our trips, and alcohol is not permitted while on the ride. Guests who have been drinking prior to their trip will not go on the tour and will not receive a refund.
SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted in the vehicles or in the National Forest.
DAY GEAR: Bring a small backpack or bag for all of your personal items
DRINKING WATER: We provide each person with a 16-ounce bottle of drinking water. If you desire additional water, feel free to bring your own.
RESTROOMS: There are restroom facilities at our office at the beginning and end of your trip. In St Elmo there is a primitive outhouse, taking you back to the 1800s. On Mt Princeton and Mt Antero there are no facilities.
COMMUNICATION: We carry a cell phone, 40-channel CB radio, and a 2-meter ham radio for emergency communication. There is limited cell phone service on Mt Princeton and Mt Antero.
ALTITUDE: You will be traveling between 8,000 and 13,000 feet. Most people don't have serious problems at these altitudes however shortness of breath and dehydration are possible at these elevations. We recommend that you come a day or two early to acclimatize yourself if you can and drink plenty of fluids while you are here.
CANCELLATION POLICY: : If you cancel more than 10 days prior to trip departure, we will refund all of your deposit less a $5/person cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 10 days prior to trip departure, there is no refund. We reserve the right to reschedule, move or cancel any trip due to insufficient reservations.
TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE: Allows you to cancel all or part of your trip up to 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. The cost is $9.00/person/day and $5/person/half-day. If you must cancel with less than 24 hours notice, but more than 1 hour before departure, we can issue a gift certificate good for next year's season. Insurance must be purchased for every member of the group at the time of your deposit.

LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS

MORE COLORADO ADVENTURES

Downhill Mountain Biking- Experience scenic mountain beauty while enjoying an exciting downhill mountain bike ride.

Jeep Tours- Explore a well-preserved 1800's ghost town, a historic gold mine or a 14,000' summit in our open-topped jeeps.

Arkansas River Rafting - Arkansas River - America’s most popular rafting river. Trips range in duration from ½ to 5 days

Dolores River- The Dolores is a classic western river, unspoiled, with majestic desert scenery.

Gunnison Gorge- Scenery reminiscent of the Inner Gorge of the Grand Canyon makes the Gunnison a place not easily forgotten.

Upper Colorado- A nice family trip, this mild whitewater float takes us through the steep, narrow Little Gore Canyon

North Platte River- Flowing through the forested Northgate Wilderness Area, the North Platte is the best-kept secret in Colorado.

Salt River, Arizona- World-class whitewater, giant Saguaro cactus in bloom, and canyons carpeted in Sonoran Desert wildflowers.

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Wilderness Aware Rafting | P.O. Box 1550 WS, Buena Vista, CO 81211
Toll Free: 800.462.7238 | Phone: 719.395.2112 | Fax: 719.395.6761 | Email: rapids@inaraft.com