Whether you’re spending a weekend in Buena Vista or simply need to stretch your legs during a Colorado road trip, the Barbara Whipple Trail System is one of my favorite places for a quick hike.
The trails begin just across the Arkansas River from the South Main neighborhood, yet within minutes you’re climbing through piñon pines and rocky terrain with sweeping views of Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks.
Barbara Whipple Trail Details
The Barbara Whipple Trail System includes several interconnected routes, making it easy to create anything from a short walk to a longer hike.
- Location: Buena Vista River Park
- Trailhead: Across the Arkansas River footbridge from South Main
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the route
- Whipple Main Route: About one mile to CR 304
- Elevation gain: Approximately 300 feet on the main route
- Uses: Hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and horseback riding
- Shade: Limited
- Best seasons: Spring through fall, plus mild winter days when the trail is dry
The lower trails are family-friendly, but some sections are rocky and steep. Watch for mountain bikers and bring plenty of water because much of the trail is exposed.
Hiking the North Loop and Whipple Main Route
After lunch at Sorelle Delicatessen, I walked along the Arkansas River and watched kayakers practicing in the rapids at Buena Vista River Park. It was peak snowmelt season, and the river was roaring.
I crossed the pedestrian bridge and started climbing through the Barbara Whipple Trail System. At the Whipple Steep Shortcut intersection, I went left and connected with the North Loop.
The route quickly gained elevation through rocky terrain and piñon pines. I was in workout mode and pushed the pace, but the views kept tempting me to stop. Buena Vista stretched across the valley below, with the snow-covered Collegiate Peaks rising dramatically to the west.
The North Loop and Steep Shortcut cover about 0.9 miles before reaching CR 304, the historic Midland Railroad grade.
Hiking Through Buena Vista History
I turned left on CR 304, passed the Broken Boyfriend trailhead, and followed the relatively flat dirt road to the Whipple Main Route.
This section was once known as Hack Road. From 1887 to 1918, the steep route carried passengers and freight between Buena Vista and the Midland Railroad depot above town. Carriages and wagons climbed roughly 300 feet in just over a mile.
As I descended, I imagined making that trip in a stagecoach. The mountain views would have been magnificent, although I probably would have had my eyes closed while holding on for dear life.
Who Was Barbara Whipple?
The trail system honors Barbara Whipple, a Buena Vista artist whose work was inspired by nature. She moved to town with her husband in 1976, opened one of Buena Vista’s early art galleries, and helped establish the local arts council.
She loved hiking in the hills east of the Arkansas River. After her death in 1989, the Barbara Whipple Trail was established in 1991 as a fitting tribute.
Make It a Buena Vista Adventure
After descending the Whipple Main Route, I followed the trail along the river and crossed the footbridge back into South Main.
One of the best things about this hike is its location. You can finish your adventure with coffee, lunch, shopping, or a cold drink without moving your car. It’s an easy way to pair outdoor fun with supporting Buena Vista’s locally owned businesses.
For trail descriptions and downloadable maps, visit the Buena Vista Recreation Information Center.
If you only have 20 or 30 minutes, cross the bridge and climb until you reach a good viewpoint. If you have an hour or more, connect the North Loop, CR 304, and Whipple Main Route for a scenic loop filled with mountain views and Colorado history.
For easy, family-friendly trails like this one, check out Castle Ruins in Morrison, Lily Pad Lake in Silverthorne, Mayflower Gulch near Leadville, and the Troll in Breckenridge. For a quick moderately easy trail near Golden, opt for North Table Mountain.
