Trails near CSprings, Buena Vista, Leadville, etc?

Hello all. I'm in CSprings for a business trip and some coworkers and I are discussing renting a 4x4 and checking out some trails. Engineer Pass has been suggested. We have an entire day and aren't opposed to driving out to Buena Vista or similar. Any suggestions for this time of year?

 

Unless there's another Engineer Pass I'm not familiar with, that's considerably more than a day trip from the Springs. At least four hours just to *get* there. There's a lot of stuff closer.

I know there's some Springs people here, but there's also been a lot of them more active on another forum lately. I'm not too familiar with the trails down that way. I know there's Old Stagecoach Road and Gold Camp Road, as well as Rampart Range. Head south a couple of hours and there's Medano Pass leading over into Great Sand Dunes NP. Head north a couple of hours give or take traffic and there's stuff outside of Boulder. Stuff up near Leadville including Mosquito, but that's still probably three or so hours north. Plenty of trails/roads in the Buena Vista area, including Tincup and going around and up to the Alpine Tunnel, which I've had a rental on in the past. Mt Antero road, which I would not take a rental on. Not sure how much you're willing to risk damage/driver skill.

Short of someone more familiar with the area chiming in, check out http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php There's a Google map with trailheads shown, and detailed descriptions/maps of tons of trails in the state. You can't sort by, but the trail's county is listed next to the name and usually any trail has a listing of nearby trails at the top. Higher altitude trails/passes may still be closed due to snow. Others, which are plowed open by the local counties are probably open by now.

 

You can hit up eagles nest off of old stage road or a real easy trail was balanced rock off of rampart

 

Google Metberry Gulch. You could also try Hackett if you want to treat your rental like a rental (and buy the extra insurance)

 

Chinaman's Gulch.

 

hacketts awesome!!!!!