Last Update: 6/22/1999 - Jens Moller
On the Main Road
| This is an unfair picture to show you - its not the view you will see from the road at all. I was sitting on the back of a horse when I snapped off this photo, so it gives you a view that you would never be able to get from any motorized vehicle you might have. The road that crosses from left to right is the road from Nathrop to St. Elmo (of the 3 roads shown, the one in between the other 2). The hot springs have been popular for centuries - Indians originally used them and in the 1880's a resort was built here. Today, people get a room at the hotel and relax in the hot mineral water. Check them out when you drive by. |
 on to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs |
Looking at this photo - St. Elmo is to the Left and Nathrop is to the right. The road is paved from Nathrop past here a few miles further towards St. Elmo. Towards St. Elmo you'll find a number of very nice Forest Service camping areas. The last time I camped, it cost $10.00 per vehicle. If you want to stay at the Hot Springs, the Phone Number there is (888) 395-7799 or (719) 395-2447
The road to St. Elmo eventually turns into a dirt road, but it is well maintained and practically any car that was ever built should be able to drive all the way up there. As you drive between St. Elmo and Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, you'll pass an area called 'The Cascades'. This was an area that had numerous train wrecks in the late 1800's - its quite a scenic stretch of Chalk Creek. If you feel your car seemingly at a loss of power at this point - recognize that you are going uphill at a very high altitude - the area near 'The Cascades' is the steepest part of the drive to St. Elmo - take your time and enjoy the scenery..
There is a well maintained composting outhouse about 1/2 mile before you get to St. Elmo on the South Side of the road.
The dirt road portion can get 'riffles' on it from travel - the road is called a 'washboard' when you see this - its a side effect of driving on the roads after a rain. It will shake things around in the vehicle as you drive across them, but other than that, this should be a very easy off-road drive for anyone. The dirt road to St. Elmo is graded (ie. smoothed by a large road grader) a few times during the spring and summer, so its usually quite a smooth ride.
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
 The Upper Hot Springs Pool - zipping down the slide!
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You can stay at the Hot Springs resort hotel or just come and soak for a few hours. Its a great thing to do after Camping, Hiking or 4 Wheeling in the area. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort has a Web Site at: http://www.mtprinceton.com so you can see what it will cost and the things to do while there. My kids like the Water Slide (in the upper Hot Springs pool). The Hot Springs here are not as large as those in Glenwood Springs, but they are also more personal and cozy. If you just stop in, you can soak in the pools for $6.00 per person (as of 6/19/99) - the Water Slide is $3.00 for 5 slides, or $10.00 all day. |
I'd rather see a lower flat fee for the Water Slide than they way its currently priced, but my kids and their friends enjoyed it no matter what.
The Lower Hot Springs Pool (one of the pools that you can see from the road)
They don't allow pets in the rooms. If you decide to camp in the area, your pets are welcome as long as they are kept on a leash and your pets shots are up to date.
Horseback Riding
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You'll find a number of 'Dude' Ranches around the Mt. Princeton area.
Its quite a nice valley and a great place to take the family. If you are
not staying at a 'Dude' Ranch, you can still take an hour out
of your day and go horseback riding. The restrictions that I
remember are: Kids have to be at least 7 years old.
The rides include one or more trail guides (Wranglers) and
they go up to different areas, some overlooking Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.
How much does it cost? That changes every year, so I can't say for sure. Expect at least $14.00 per person. The trail is sometimes a narrow path up the side of the mountain leading to a wide meadow, then back again. |
The altitude seems to have a fragrant effect on the alfalfa that the horses eat - you'll really notice this if you ride as the last person in the group. The nice part is that after a 1 hour ride you can continue on your way and you don't have to worry about transporting horses around with you - I like horses, but I don't want to own any. Many people have emailed me and asked about prices/times/phone numbers for the public stable.
| I picked up an information card for Mt. Princeton Riding Stables while I was there last weekend (6/19/99). Here is some information from that card (and the woman who runs the operation). The phone Number for the Stable is (719) 395-0901 or (888) 395-7799 - They are open April 15th thru October 1st (9:00 am to 6:00 pm), but may be open before and after these dates - I suggest calling to find out for certain, and suggest that you make a reservation - its quite an scenic ride and popular. The year 2000 price is: 1 hour - $14.00 per person. They also have 90 minute and 2 hour rides. |
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Breakfast and Dinner Rides (Including a meal) are also available. The people running the Stables do a great job of matching horse personalities to the riders. They also have a Clydesdale (and plan to get more) that can support a heavier rider than most of the other Stables I've been to in Colorado. If in doubt - give them a call. You will find them approximately 3 miles from where you turned off of Highway 285 onto Colorado Highway 162 in a brand new facility (unfinished as of 6/19/99) approximately 1 mile from the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort).
There is also a Mt. Princeton Equestrian Center in this area - the Riding stables are just past that on the North Side of the road. If you want to pay by Credit Card, you will need to do this at the main lodge at the Mount Princeton Hot Springs resort at this time. The trip to here is completely on paved roads. I really liked their original Stables location (right at the base of the Hot Springs pools) a lot better than the new one - It certainly was easier to access and also in a forested/shaded area, maybe they could have some of the horses at both places during the day and stable them at the main facility at night - I think that their Stable business will be far more accessible if they did.
Camping
There are 3 Forest service Camp Grounds, with out-houses, further up the road between Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and midway to St. Elmo (these are all on the paved portion of the road). All are along Chalk Creek and have nice wooded camping areas for tents, trailers or campers. They don't take reservations. During the summer, people come into the camp grounds and register with a host (they should have a trailer near the entrance), and it costs around $10.00 per night. Get there in the early part of the day and you should find a place. There is also a camp ground near St. Elmo (Iron City).The camp grounds are (in order from East to West):
- Mt Princeton Campground
- Chalk Lake Campground
- Cascade Campground
There is an 'Anglers' area (for people who want to fish) right past the last campground. You will need a valid Colorado Fishing license to fish here (unless you are under 12 years old or under).
If you put out a humming bird feeder at your campground, you will probably have many small feathered visitors during the day.
While staying at the Cascade Campground, one morning I awoke to hear my dogs going crazy (I was camping in my 1976 VW Camper Van & the dogs were hopping all over my head) - there were 2 Big Horned Sheep walking down a path between the tents near us. There is a lot to see here if you take your time and pay attention.
There is another Forest Service Campground right outside of St. Elmo called Iron City Campground. All are popular during the summer months.
Other Places to Stay
The are many cabins and Dude Ranches in the Nathrop and Buena Vista area - all places that you might like to stay. Here are some links to consider (all quickly found using a search engine and the words 'Nathrop Colorado'):
I have no business relationship with Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, the Riding Stables or any other businesses listed here - the information on this Web Page is a result of my experiences in the area and my desire to share what I enjoyed about it. If I don't like something - I'll say so.
Comments? Questions? contact Jens Moller
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