The Barbara Whipple Trail is named after a local artist and is accessible from the Buena Vista River Park Bridge, the Midland Railroad and Four Mile Trails, the Arkansas River Trail and the Whitewater Trail. From the traffic light in Buena Vista, take Main Street east until you reach the dirt parking lot at the boat ramp.
The Barbara Whipple Trail is a grouping of several trails on the east side of the Arkansas River. It is the most popular hike in town and hiking this trail is easily combined with any biking or boating experience nearby. Looking back across the valley, you will see great views of the Collegiate Peaks. The trail runs through pinions and one section follows a portion of the old Midland Railroad grade. Several kiosks along the way provide current and historical information about the area.
The trail is steep beginning at the Arkansas River trailhead, but becomes much easier with some elevation gain. Total elevation gain for the trail is approximately 600 feet.