|
Downhill Mountain Bike Tour Continental
Divide - Pre-Trip Information
Here's How to Find US!
Here's What You Need to Know
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 15
minutes before your trip departure time - You may want to allow more time to
leisurely enjoy our complimentary continental breakfast.
|
Trip |
Departs |
Returns |
|
AM 1/2 Day |
8:30 am |
11:30 am - 12:00 pm |
|
PM 1/2 Day |
12:30 pm |
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
WHERE TO MEET
Your trip departs from the
Wilderness Aware office at 12600 US Hwy 24 and 285, Buena Vista, CO (3 miles
south east of Buena Vista - see map) Look for our mountain shaped sign on the
north side of the highway, just east of the river and Johnson Village at mile
marker 213.8.
View Larger
Map
We suggest you use a
Colorado state map
and plan for delays.
Directions to your meeting point at Wilderness Aware
Rafting near Buena Vista, Colorado
Your trip departs from our office at 12600 US Hwy. 24 / 285
near Buena Vista, Colorado. Look for our mountain shaped sign on the north side
of US Hwy. 24 / 285 at mile marker 213.8 just east of the river and Johnson
Village. We suggest you use the
Colorado State Road
Map or Arkansas River
Region Road Map and plan for delays. Our preferred route from the
Metro-Denver area to Buena Vista is via Highway 285. As an alternative you can
take I-70 west from Denver to Copper Mountain and follow the 'Vail, I-70 and
Summit County' directions below. 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 look for our mountain shaped sign at mile marker 213.8 on the right. Our
office is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River just before you enter
Johnson Village. 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,
look for our mountain shaped sign on the right at mile marker 213.8. Our office
is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River and just before you enter
Johnson Village. 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 23 miles to
the junction of Highways 24 and 285 (2 miles south of Buena Vista). Turn right
(east) on Highway 24 / 285 and drive less than 1 mile through Johnson Village
and look for our mountain shaped sign at mile marker 213.8 on the left. Our
office is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River. 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 (about 1 hour south of I-70). Turn left two miles south of Buena
Vista at the junction of Highways 24 and 285. Drive less than 1 mile through
Johnson Village and look for our mountain shaped sign on the left at mile
marker 213.8. Our office is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River.
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). Turn left two miles south of Buena Vista at the junction of
Highways 24 and 285. Drive less than 1 mile through Johnson Village and look
for our mountain shaped sign on the left at mile marker 213.8. Our office is
just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River. 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 look for our mountain shaped
sign on the right at mile marker 213.8. Our office is just east of the bridge
over the Arkansas River and just before you enter Johnson Village.
Approximately 1-½ hours.
WHAT TO BRING
- Sunglasses
- Biking Gloves (we have loaners)
- Sunscreen
- Hat or Visor
- Tennis Shoes (For your safety, no open toed shoes)
- Windbreaker or Light Jacket (it is chilly at 12,000
ft)
- Chapstick
- Camera and Film
- Cash for Souvenirs and Tipping Your Guide
WE PROVIDE
- State-Of-The-Art Trek Mountain Bike
- Helmet
- Biking Gloves
- Complimentary Water Bottle
- Free Continental Breakfast on Morning Trips
- Post-Trip Snack and Drink
- Comfortable Changing Facilities
- Radio, Cell or Satellite Phone Communication
- Support Vehicle
- Free Use of our Dog Kennel
| DRIVING
TIMES |
| Denver |
2½ hrs |
| Colorado
Spgs. |
2 hrs |
| Durango |
4 hrs |
| Grand Junct. |
4½ hrs |
| Vail |
1¾ hrs |
| Fort Collins |
3½ hrs |
| Aspen |
1½ hrs |
| Breckenridge |
1½ hrs |
|
COOL WEATHER RENTALS
ORIENTATION: Prior to trip
departure, you will receive a complete orientation on safety and the operation
of the bike.
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 youth liability
release signed by one or both parents. You can download a copy of our liability
release. 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. 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!
BIKES: We use state of the art Trek bikes which are
provided and maintained by Otero Cyclery, Salida, CO. These bikes are equipped
with front suspension and mechanical disc brakes.
CONDITIONS: We
start at the top of the Continental Divide, elevation 12,126 ft. and ride
downhill on a paved road. This ride is fast paced and travels with traffic. Our
support vehicle will travel with you if you require any assistance or just need
to shed layers of clothing. This vehicle will return you to the Wilderness
Aware base at the conclusion of your trip.
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.
DAY GEAR: Bring along a small
backpack to carry a jacket and camera in. You can leave items in the support
vehicle.
DRINKING WATER: We provide everyone with a complimentary
28-ounce water bottle. There is a holder on the bike for it.
RETAIL
STORE: We have a retail store for those last minute items such as sunscreen
and cameras. Plan to check out our t-shirts, hats and souvenirs after the trip.
ALTITUDE: You will be biking between 8,000 and 12,000 feet. Most
people don't have serious problems here, but shortness of breath and
dehydration are common. Most people don't have serious problems here, but
shortness of breath and dehydration are possible. Come a day or two early to
acclimatize yourself if you can. We recommend that you drink plenty of water
during your stay. Temperatures are cooler at high altitudes; we recommend you
bring a light jacket or wind breaker.
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 $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
|
HOTELS / MOTELS |
|
CAMPGROUNDS |
|
Best Western Vista Inn |
800-809-3495 |
|
Arrowhead Point Camping Resort |
800-888-7320 |
|
Super 8 Motel |
800-800-8000 |
|
Chalk Creek Campground |
719-395-8301 |
|
Lakeside Motel |
800-248-7684 |
|
National Forest Campgrounds |
877-444-6777 |
|
BED AND BREAKFASTS |
|
CABINS |
|
Liar's Lodge |
888-542-7756 |
|
Forest Creek Cabins |
800-603-7690 |
|
Sawatch Vistas |
866-395-9199 |
|
Thunder Lodge |
800-330-9194 |
|
Room at the River |
719 395-8599 |
|
Woodland Brook Cabins |
719-395-2922 |
|
RESORTS |
|
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs |
888-395-7799 |
|
Buena Vista |
719-395-6612 |
|
Rainbow Lake Resort |
719-395-2509 |
|
Salida |
719-539-2068 |
|
