See it, experience it, and most of all, respect it. 

For those of us living and working in the mountains, we have always recognized how lucky we are to have the Holy Cross Wilderness, Vail Pass Recreation Area, and the 10th Mountain Division Hut System in our backyard. And on October 12, 2022, President Joe Biden designated the area known as Camp Hale a National Monument. The official name: Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument.

This designation all but ensures that 54,000 acres of pristine wilderness within the Holy Cross Wilderness and Vail Pass Recreation Area will forever be protected. And the history of this special place will be preserved for generations to come. 

What is Camp Hale

In 1943, during World War II, Camp Hale was home to over 14,000 men and women. Located just off highway 24 between Vail and Leadville, Colorado, the soldiers of Camp Hale were part of the highly specialized mountaineering unit known as the 10th Mountain Division. These soldiers were trained for high altitude, winter combat. Their training included skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, and other skills required to prevail in the rugged landscapes of the Italian and European Alps. As part of their training, the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division built and maintained the huts that now make up the 10th Mountain Division Hut System. At its peak, Camp Hale consisted of over 1,000 buildings including barracks, a military hospital, shooting outposts, and more.

Who were the individuals that served

From Vail to Ski Cooper, and from Leadville to Aspen, you will find plaques, statues, and memorials honoring those who served and sacrificed in the 10th Mountain Division. Of the 14,000 individuals who served in the 10th, thousands made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. For those who eventually made their way home, many went on to build what became the multi-billion dollar ski industry.

Over 60 ski areas across the US were started by members of the 10th. Along with ski areas, members also founded outdoor education programs, leadership programs, the National Ski Patrol, and even became Olympians. One of the members, Bill Bowerman, co-founded Nike with his friend Phil Knight. And when Sir Edmund Hillary made it the summit of Mt. Everest, he used lightweight gear made by the company “Gerry” which was founded by Gerry Cunningham of the 10th Mountain Division. Gerry Cunningham is credited with having invented the down-filled jacket that is a staple here in the mountains of Colorado.

How to experience Camp Hale

The Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument can be enjoyed year-round with easy access by foot, Jeeps, RZRs, Snowmobiles, and by Timbersleds. We at RMAR are lucky enough to have direct access from our Red Cliff location. Whether you are visiting in the summer or winter, you can reserve your machines out of Red Cliff and be at Camp Hale within 15 minutes. While en route, you will pass through the 54,000 acres of pristine wilderness that make up the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. Unlike roadside travelers, you will be able to see and explore the entire region, without large groups of people around you. You will be able to go at your own pace.

Choose the Experience that is right for you:

Winter 2022/23

It’s all about the great outdoors in Colorado and we’re fortunate to have countless trails for hiking, biking and off-roading. No matter what mode you choose for your backcountry adventure, a Jeep rental from RMAR/BV Jeeps is one that almost anyone can enjoy. Weather, mobility issues and dust allergies are non-issues with a Jeep rental. With dozens of Colorado Jeep trails to choose from, how do you know which ones are right for you and your group? We’re going to share our top 3 best Jeep trails in the Buena Vista area.

St. Elmo/Tincup: A full-day trip featuring one of Colorado’s best-preserved ghost towns and many miles of quintessential Rocky Mountain scenery is at the top of our Jeep trails list. Make this trip in the fall and the incredible aspen tunnels along sections of this route make the trip that much more special. 

Since the Tincup trail is a bit more technical than the ATV trail, our suggested route is taking 295 to Hancock Lake and the area known as the Hancock ghost town. The first 1-1/2 miles is the most technical portion of this trail and takes about one-half hour to traverse in a Jeep. There is a parking lot at Hancock Lake and a short hike to the lake itself. This entire route features relics from Colorado’s rich mining history and the first large structure that will take you back in time is the Mary Murphy aerial tramway. This ore mine was built in the late 1800s and is surprising still fairly intact to this day. The road up is steep and rocky requiring a slow ascent and descent. 

From the Hancock area, this Jeep trip continues on to St. Elmo where you will want to spend some time exploring the main stretch of this former gold and silver mining town which once bustled with up to 2000 residents in 1881.  Although St. Elmo is now technically a ghost town, there are a few year-round residents still residing in St. Elmo along with a thriving chipmunk population who are tourist friendly and will expect you to come bearing sunflower seeds. After exploring St. Elmo and checking out the general store and outdoor antique yard, the trail continues on for more adventure. 

The summit of Tincup Pass peaks at 12,154 feet, just above treeline. This portion of the Jeep trail includes the beauty of Mirror Lake. There’s not many places better for photo ops and a picnic than an alpine lake. The town of Tincup is also dubbed a ghost town, but there are a handful of living residents along with the “spirits” from the turbulent mining era. The Tincup cemetery is a fascinating piece of that history. Built upon knolls separated by religion, there are multiple foot bridges and a single race-segregated grave hidden in the woods. 

With so much to see on the St. Elmo Jeep trail, you’ll want to dedicate a full day for the adventure. 

Cottonwood Lake: From the BV Jeeps parking lot, this trail requires about 3-4 hours and is a nice half-day Jeep trail outing.  The Cottonwood Lake trail highlights include an optional but scenic hike to Mineral Basin, some old mine shafts, a gulch for some technical off-roading, and another alpine lake. The climb to Ptarmigan Lake is the end portion of the Grassy Gulch section and is the most technical with tight and rocky switchbacks. The road eventually ends just beneath the summit of Jones Mountain at 12,000 feet. This is an in-and-out trail meaning you’ll turn and go back the way you came from Buena Vista. Spotting things you missed on the way in is part of the fun when traveling an in-and-out trail. 

Lost Canyon: Another great half-day trip which takes approximately 3-4 hours out of the BV Jeeps parking lot and back is the Lost Canyon Jeep trail. The first leg of this adventure passes through the tiny town of Granite, Colorado which sits on the banks of the Colorado River. If you like solitude and quiet trails, you’ll love this hidden-gem area of Chaffee County where the roads are less traveled once you leave Hwy 24. Lost Canyon is an easy-to-moderate trail with intermittent rocky and steep sections. Enjoy stunning vistas of Mt. Elbert, Twin Lakes and Clear Creek reservoir. Along this trail you will also stumble upon more of Colorado’s rich mining history and some old log cabins. The panoramic overlook of Clear Creek Reservoir is a great stop for a picnic, photos and shore fishing. 

The Rocky Mountain Adventure Rentals guides live, work and play in Colorado and always have the best insider tips to make the most of your adventure. We have 35+ years of traveling the Rocky Mountains in Jeeps. Our guests head out equipped with knowledge and a well-maintained vehicle. You likely won’t need a rescue, but if you do, RMAR/BV Jeeps will always have your back. The fall months are some of the very best to get out on the trail and we hope to get you out there soon! 

Buena Vista, CO July 2022 

RMAR is pleased to announce that we have been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travelers’ Choice award winner. The award celebrates businesses that are in the top 10% based on great traveler reviews from travelers from around the globe over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, RMAR stood out by consistently delivering  positive experiences to its customers. 

About RMAR:

RMAR started out as a business adventure between two brothers  and has grown to become an established leader in the Colorado outdoor recreation industry with 4 locations throughout Colorado ranging from the Vail Valley to Buena Vista.

What sets us apart from other outfitters is our focus on safety, premium  performance machines and a more personalized experience for our clientele. The RMAR team of local experts with diverse backgrounds give adventurers, tourists, and individuals a trusted  source for location-specific information and a highly curated backcountry experience. We  continue to strive to create new and exciting adventures for our customers whether you desire  to go out on your own or prefer a private guided tour.

Supporting Our Communities:

From local fundraising events for fire crews and childrens hospitals to military events and more. We do what we can to be an active and positive member of the communities we operate in. Over the years, we have proudly supported the Wounded Warriors Project by hosting multiple events throughout the year. For those with disabilities, our staff has come up with innovative ways to modify our machines to allow all individuals to enjoy the outdoors and outdoor adventuring.

Thank You!

On behalf of the RMAR team, we would like to thank our customers for their loyalty and trust in  our product and employees. We are proud of how far our company has come and are excited about what the future holds for  RMAR. The growth and success of our company would not have happened without our  dedicated employees, support from our local communities, and most importantly support from  our valued customers. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to assisting you in  creating lasting memories with your friends and families.  

Thank you  

The RMAR Team

Rocky Mountain Adventure Rentals continues to evolve to provide our customers with bigger and better adventures year after year. As a leader in the Colorado outdoor recreation industry, our mission has always been to provide our customers a highly-curated and safe backcountry experience. We are proud to announce that our guests can now take their adventure seeking even further through our new partnership with BV Jeeps & ATVs in Buena Vista, Colorado.

RMAR continues to set the bar

Since 2014, RMAR has grown from our original winter-season-only, single location near Vail, Colorado to year-round rentals in three locations- Red Cliff, Minturn and Buena Vista. We have been setting the bar for what a rental experience should be with premium-performance machines and a highly knowledgeable staff who focuses on safety first. We want guests of all abilities to have the opportunity to experience what Colorado has to offer.

Through our partnership with BV Jeeps, our guests will now have more trails and yet another mode of transportation in which to explore the Colorado backcountry and mountain passes. In addition to the ATVs, Polaris Slingshots, dirt bikes and motorcycles we already offer, our guests can now take out well-maintained 4WD Jeep Wranglers for a summer spin. This partnership takes RMAR to an unmatched level of activity options available to Colorado visitors in a one-stop shop.

BV Jeeps has an excellent reputation in Buena Vista with a history of delivering a high level of customer service and care. From the beginning, RMAR has taken great pride in providing a high quality product to our customers. We believe that BV Jeeps aligns perfectly with our commitment of excellence as an adventure sports outfitter.

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What does this mean for past and current customers of RMAR and BV Jeeps?

All customers will now have more equipment options, more trail options, and more activity options, enabling us to get more guests of varying levels of ability on the trail for an outdoor adventure. Combining the RMAR and BV Jeeps’ tremendous resources of US Forest permits, knowledgeable staffs and inventories of high quality vehicles and machines, we will continue to set the standard for outstanding service to Colorado visitors and local residents.

New packages will also be offered through RMAR this summer. Guests can combine an ATV or Jeep rental with a camping trip in the Buena Vista area that includes gear, insider tips and maps. Throw in a stand-up paddleboard and check another sport off the bucket list! We’ve also got photo tour packages in the future works to help you step up your Instagram game.

Book your trip today!

With a good 3 months of warmer temps left in the alpine desert of Buena Vista, there is still plenty of time for offroading adventures before the snow flies and we transition to our winter snowmobiling season. Call us today to plan your customized ATV or Jeep rental adventure near Buena Vista or Vail. Our guides have ideas to help you plan a new activity for every day of your vacation or weekend getaway.