Location and Directions

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Coming from the East side of the Continental Divide (when Cottonwood Pass is open)

From Colorado Springs Airport:

• I-25 North to the Cimmaron / Hwy 24 exit.
• On Hwy 24, go west until you “T” at 285. Go left on 285 to Johnson Village and another”T”.
• Go right (N) to Buena Vista, Colorado (north of Salida, south of Leadville)

From Denver Airport:

Drive West on Pena Blvd. to I 70 West. Take 70 to 470.

• Take 470 to 285. 285 West to Buena Vista.
• In Buena Vista, you will turn West at the main intersection (Road 306 toward
• Cottonwood Pass). Stay on this road, up and over Cottonwood Pass, until it dead ends at Taylor Reservoir. (about 1 hour)
• At Taylor Reservoir, turn right (North) on Co. Rd 742. This road will turn into a gravel road just past the Texas Creek bridge.
• After crossing the bridge at Texas Creek, you will drive 2.2 miles to Illinois Creek. You will see several mailboxes on your right at Illinois Creek Road.
• Turn right at these mailboxes. Follow the signs 1.5 miles up the dirt road to the AEI Base Camp. The Lupine lodge is the building with the swings on the large front porch.

Coming from the West side of the Continental Divide (or if Cottonwood Pass is closed)

On Hwy 50, go to Gunnison, CO (west of Salida, east of Montrose).

• Turn North onto CO Hwy 135. You will drive 10 miles to Almont.
• Go right on Co. Rd. 742 at the Almont junction towards Taylor Reservoir. You will drive up the canyon (40-50 minutes), then up and around the reservoir. The road will turn to gravel after crossing over the bridge at Texas Creek. 
• After crossing the bridge at Texas Creek, you will drive 2.2 miles to Illinois Creek. You will see several mailboxes on your right at Illinois Creek Road.
• Turn right at these mailboxes. Follow the signs 1.5 miles up the dirt road to the AEI Base Camp. The Lupine lodge is the building with the swings on the large front porch.