Chubb Park Trail - FS 309

Trail Overview

This trail connects Chubb Park Ranch State Wildlife Area to the Fourmile recreation area. The trail is mostly dirt with small rocks, making it completely passable by any vehicle and RV. Towards Highway 285, the trail is mostly open fields with lots of easy pull-offs. When passing Forest Service Road 309A, the trail becomes more wooded with aspen groves and pine trees following a small water source with marshes. The last quarter mile has a slightly steep grade going up a hill to connect with FS 436, which would be the last turnaround point for large campers or RVs. Camping is only allowed in designated spots within Chubb State Park.

Photos of Chubb Park Trail - FS 309

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Difficulty

This dirt trail is easy to follow, with only light ruts and a few scattered rocks. It remains manageable for most vehicles and offers a smooth, low-challenge drive overall.

History

Chubb Park is named after Robert Bass Newett, better known as "Chubb" by his friends. He decided to settle in this area in 1867 when he came west from DeKalb, Illinois. Chubb built a hotel, established a ranch, and platted a town called Newett. Today, there is nothing left of the old town of Newett, but Chubb Park offers impressive views of Buffalo Peaks and is connected to the numerous trails in the Fourmile Management Area. Chubb Park also provides access to trails leading to the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness area. The Lenhardy Cutoff was built in 1872 by George Leonhardy, an early Chaffee County Commissioner, from Chubb Park to the farmlands along the Arkansas River north of Buena Vista. This toll road and mail route bypassed Buena Vista to take a slightly shorter route to Leadville's mines. Stage coaches carried passengers and mail, and freight wagons hauled mining supplies, as well as hay and vegetables from Leonhardy's own ranch north of Buena Vista.

Technical Rating

Chubb Park Trail - FS 309 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike