If you are in the Taylor Park area, Tincup Pass is a must. The
trail starts out in the town of Tincup and goes past the beautiful Mirror
Lake on its way to the pass. If you are early in the year be ready
for deep water at the lake. The water was over our dirt bike hubs in the
first week
of July. Also, we were able to make it to the top of the pass but
the trail was blocked by a large snow drift. The Timberline Trail
also connects to this trail near Mirror Lake. If the weather
permits and the passes are open you can make a loop from Tincup Pass to
Handcock Pass to Cumberland Pass. This large loop should take all
day.
Frenchy's Cafe is located at the start of the trail in Tincup. The
Frenchy's restaurant serves a great breakfast and is a very historic
place. While you are there buy one of their books on the history
of Tincup and it will explain the history of many of the mines the trail
passes by.
We enjoyed our stay in Taylor Park in this rental home know as
Tin Cup
Lodge.
Mirror Lake is a great place to stop and take a break or maybe try your
luck as some lake trout along the Tincup Pass
Jeep Road.
There is a camping area at Mirror Lake. We were able to drive
our 2-wheel drive truck all the way to the camping area with no
problems, but don't expect to continue past the lake in a stock vehicle.
During the spring thaw the water in Mirror Lake floods the trail. In
some parts the water was up to our hubs on our dirt bikes. ATV's
should have no problem getting through. This picture was taken on
July 1st.
Same location as above on September 14th. No water on trail!
Picture of the top end of Mirror Lake. The ATV trail becomes more
difficult once you leave the lake. You will begin to wonder how
stage coaches ever made the trip over this route.
Colorado wild flowers along the trail.
View of the Jeep road nearing the Tincup Pass.
Small 4x4 SUV descending the trail from pass in fall colors.
ATV's just starting down from Tincup Pass. No trees at 12,154 ft.
If you can get on the trail before the snow does, mid September is a
great time to visit Tin Cup Pass. As always we are riding a rental
UTV from Colorado Adventure
Rentals which always has the newest
and best ATVs around.
Beautiful Tincup Pass. A great ATV adventure for people staying at
Taylor Reservoir.
Large snow mound blocking the trail in early July. The rest of the trail
continues to St. Elmo.