Many thanks to all who responded for your lively and thoughtful input! We are opting to stay near Buena Vista and to use it as a home base for activities.

Hoping everyone here has great trips ahead of them!

You should also check out the website for Chaffee County:

http://www.nowthisiscolorado.com/?ut...fee-brand-2010

and the national forest website:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fs...anger+District

Clicking on the "+" next to "show" by the hiking link will take you to a list of hiking trails in the area. Click on a specific trail and it will bring up info about the trail and how to get there.