Mountain Town Magic

Photo courtesy of Chaffee County Visitors Bureau

"Everyone called it a hidden gem but I didn't expect to fall in love with it this fast."

When 34-year-old outdoor enthusiast Jake Mercer first rolled into Salida, Colorado, he figured he’d stumbled onto just another quiet mountain town. But by the end of the weekend—after whitewater rapids, high-alpine hikes, and a few craft beers shared with strangers-turned-friends—he realized Salida wasn’t just a stopover. It was a wild, magnetic blend of small-town charm and big outdoor energy.

“I’d heard whispers about Salida from climbers in Moab and paddlers in Durango,” Jake said. “Everyone called it a ‘hidden gem,’ but I didn’t expect to fall in love with it this fast.”

Where the River Runs Wild

Tucked in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley, surrounded by the Sawatch Range and San Isabel National Forest, Salida is a small town with a huge backyard. It sits at about 7,000 feet, with endless access to trails, peaks, and water—making it a basecamp for all things outdoors.

Jake, an avid kayaker and mountain biker from Bozeman, Montana, came to town chasing the legendary whitewater of the Arkansas River, one of the most rafted rivers in the country.

“I hit the Bighorn Sheep Canyon stretch my first morning with a local outfitter. Class III rapids, canyon walls, and actual bighorn sheep—like, what more could you ask for?”

After a heart-pounding half-day trip downriver, Jake wandered the historic downtown, a district filled with Victorian-era buildings, independent coffee shops, art galleries, and gear outfitters.

“I found a local spot called Howl Mercantile that sold camp coffee and knives. That pretty much sums up Salida.”

Pedals, Peaks, and Hot Springs

The next morning, Jake traded paddle for pedals, renting a hardtail from a bike shop and hitting the Arkansas Hills Trail System—a local favorite for flowy singletrack with stunning mountain views. The high-desert terrain outside town makes for almost year-round riding.

“I rode up Frontside Trail and dropped into Sweet Dreams,” Jake said. “Fast, dusty, and just technical enough to keep you honest. Plus, the views of Mt. Shavano? Unreal.”

Later that afternoon, aching legs took Jake to Mount Princeton Hot Springs, about 25 minutes away, where he soaked in naturally heated mineral pools with the Chalk Cliffs as his backdrop. “It’s hard to feel stressed when you're sitting in a hot spring staring at a 14,000-foot peak,” he said.

Small Town, Big Soul

What struck Jake most wasn’t just the adventure—it was the vibe.

Salida’s population hovers around 6,000, but it pulses with creativity and community. From the indie bookstore hosting live bluegrass to the bike rack-packed brewery pouring hazy IPAs, it’s a town that feels both lived-in and alive.

“I was sitting at Soulcraft Brewing, just off Highway 50, and I ended up talking trails with this older guy who’d lived here since the ‘70s,” Jake said. “He told me, ‘People come here for the mountains, but they stay for the people.’ I think he’s right.”

The Peaks Beyond

On his last day, Jake tackled a bucket list hike: Mount Yale, one of Colorado’s many “14ers” (peaks over 14,000 feet). The trailhead is only about 40 minutes from Salida, and while the 9-mile round trip is no easy stroll, the summit rewards are otherworldly.

“You’re standing on top of the world, wind in your face, and you can see forever,” Jake said. “It’s humbling and addicting.”

Coming down from the peak, Jake made one final stop at Elevation Beer Company in nearby Poncha Springs before heading out of town. “It felt like the perfect full circle—trail to river to town and back again.”

"I came here for the adventure, but I’m leaving with a second home in mind."

For more, visit https://www.colorfulcolorado.com