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9800 Hits
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81.84% Score
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14 Votes
Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon:
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38.85050°N / 105.9428°W |
County:
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Chaffee & Park |
Activities:
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Hiking |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
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Elevation:
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10765 ft / 3281 m |
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Overview
South from rocky summitSimilar in form and appearance to neighbor Limestone Ridge, Kaufman Ridge Highpoint features densely-wooded eastern slopes and a striking west-facing bluff that provides a dramatic viewpoint to the mighty Sawatch Mountains to the western horizon. Kaufman Ridge Highpoint is part of a larger Kaufman Ridge Structure which features three highpoints above 10,000 feet / 3,050 meters. (See Nader's Kaufman Ridge North page for more information.)
The summit area offers the best of many worlds: Mind-blowing views all around, especially the Sawatch and the Buffalo Peaks group plus sheltering trees for shade and wind-block. Numerous 14ers are visible from the summit, including Mount Antero, Mount Princeton and Mount Yale. Take your lunch, park yourself on a rock and enjoy the scenery with friends or family from the top of this little gem.
Rank: 1,906th highest mountain in Colorado
Prominence: 1,145 feet
USGS Quad: Castle Rock Gulch
Rank and Prominence Info: Lists of John
Getting There
Kaufman Ridge Highpoint is perched on the boundary between Chaffee and Park counties. The nearest major thoroughfare is the combined US Hwy 24 / US Hwy 285 to the north of the mountain. The peak sits about 10 miles as the raven flies due-east of the town of Buena Vista, Colorado.
Red Tape
Buffalo Peaks group from summit
Buffalo Peaks on the approachThere is plenty of private property to the north of Kaufman Ridge Highpoint, and the access roads into the National Forest pass through a subdivision. Extend the same courtesies to residents that you would want visitors near your home to extend to you.
Otherwise, there are no fees to access this area and few regulations governing your use of this part of the National Forest.
Camping & Lodging
Approaching Kaufman Ridge Highpoint
Black Mountain in the distanceArkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Campgrounds
The AHRA operates six campgrounds in the Arkansas River valley, two of which are located in reasonable proximity to Kaufman Ridge Highpoint. Be aware that these campgrounds are popular with white water rafters in the warmer months and are used as take-outs / put-ins for boaters.
Summit Cairn, Kaufman Ridge Highpoint
USGS Benchmark below summitRailroad Bridge Campground
North of Buena Vista on County Road 371
• 14 campsites (each consists of tent pad, fire grill and table)
• Two vault toilets
• Two changing areas
Ruby Mountain Campground
South of Buena Vista on County Road 300 via CR 301
• 22 campsites (each consists of tent pad, fire grill and table)
• Four vault toilets
• Two changing areas
Buena Vista hotels, B&Bs, cabins and commercial campgrounds
A variety of lodging options are available in the nearby town of Buena Vista, skewing toward the simple and affordable. Visit the Colorado Vacation Directory Buena Vista page or the Trip Advisor area guide for more details.
Weather & Seasons
Lela at the summit
Aerial of Limestone Ridge  Click for weather forecast | Fall: Autumn would be a perfect time to visit this peak, when the Aspen are ablaze in bright golds against the blue Colorado sky and the summertime crowds have begun to wane. Be mindful of elk hunters in the area and wear bright colors for safety. Winter: Kaufman Ridge Highpoint makes a delightful snowshoe outing. Winter brings Forest Service gates closures to the surrounding area (and thus longer walks). For the most part, you should find you have this area all to yourself in the winter. Be mindful of elk hunters in the vicinity and wear bright colors for safety. Spring: Deep and rotten late-season snow could make Kaufman Ridge Highpoint an arduous outing in the Spring. In fact, the trail-braking can make this trip challenging enough even in winter. Summer: This lower elevation area east of Buena Vista gets somewhat hot and sun-baked compared to the high country to the west, but this could be a good acclimatization hike for visitors from lower elevations wanting to tackle higher goals later in their visit. |  Click for weather forecast |
1 Routes