Colorado Trip Reports

It's not just those (and I had to think about it for a second to figure out what you meant, I usually hear them called Razors though I know that's just one specific brand), but I do think they facilitate a wider group of people who are... less educated about trail use. Pretty much ALL atv types lead to bypass trails from what I've seen, particularly with rocky obstacles or water crossings/mudholes. With bikes you don't notice as much because it's no different than pedestrian or game path, but four wheels and it quickly becomes apparent.

On the Green Ridge trail this was super apparent at one time. Coming from the 14/Chambers end, the first major water crossing is usually pretty deep though not actually muddy on the bottom (see my avatar). However I remember one year visiting it a few times over the summer/fall. The second time I noticed a clear atv 4wheeler bypass trail that had been freshly created on the right side since my first visit. It tore up grass and went through a 'hummocky' wet area where the actual water crossing was narrower but the ground was swampy all around. The next time I came back, it had turned into a full-size vehicle bypass. Which is stupid because taking it was worse than the actual trail and a much greater stuck potential. There are also numerous places along that trail and on into the Bald Mountain section where you'd come to a puddle (yes, a PUDDLE) in the trees where things were so tight with trees even a bike couldn't take the edge or just a rocky spot and you'd find the same little atv width track bypassing around it.

And it only gets worse once it's there, because then people assume they need to take it, particularly with the water ones where you're not sure how deep it is or what rocks are down there. I watched some atvs go around a puddle in the trees and was like, are you just trying to not get muddy or what? Then they get to the Green Ridge/Bald junction and start tearing through a big mudhole that was off the trail, kind of fenced off, and clearly in recovery from earlier abuse. I said something to one of the party members, who was polite and basically said ok (time has made my memory of the exact response hazy), but just continued to watch a few and then joined in.

 

This really bums me out. I consider myself an outdoorsman in general, so I have no problem with balancing ideals of both access and pristine wilderness. Unfortunately, this behavior goes a long way toward negating a lot of hard work and awareness by other enthusiasts. And I have no idea what to do about it.

 

Hey @NaZRaQ I think I passed you and family on Mineral Creek (I was heading to Ouray, you up to Engineer pass) this weekend during the FJ trail Parade (we had no clue that was going until hitting trails and they had those stickers) and Full Size Truck off-roading fools.

 

California Gulch



Can someone tell me if its possible to remove the info below the image? thanks

 

used to be much easier...but when you paste the link, leave only the text between and including the [IMG.........IMG]

 

took a road trip from Texas out here to the Denver Colorado area. Looking for advice on where a good place to camp is within 2 hours of Denver?

Looking for a spot that you can take a dirt road to and isn't crowded and has dispersed camping where I can pull my truck over wherever and set up my truck tent. Looked at jones pass and winter park area. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Head over to the Montezuma area near keystone, or swan river newr breck. There was mention of bears up near Montezuma earlier in the week so maybe check with the ranger station. Go to trail damage and look up Webster pass, St. John's, swan river north/middle.

 

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2016/06/28/bears-camping-ban-forest-service-summit-county/

 

There you go, don't go over there to camp I guess LOL.

Swan River road is still an option, and you can drive to those other areas, fantastic trail(s) up there.

Other options would be all of the trails in the Georgetown and Idaho springs area, or up around Nederland. Note that there is a fire ban in quite a bit of CO right now as well.

http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html

 

Don't try to camp in Winter park. The pine beetle has killed so many trees up there that from my recent experience, isn't the best thing to look at when you want to get up with a view and camp. Looks right now the only places you can go without fire bans are around keystone and breck or all the way down into Telluride.

 

I ended up camping off Guanella pass. Great views!

 

Yeah it was definitely crowded with the FJ summit going on the first couple days there. Good to see a few Tacomas there! Thinking about hitting Argentine pass next weekend if you're interested in joining.

 

Hit another mall yesterday

 

After the CopperKettle meet, about 6-7 trucks headed up to Twin Cone (Peak?)/Kenosha (Pass?). A good time for sure with a few difficulties going up & back down including a lesson for me about blue loc-tite on every bolt of anything with vague sentimental value.

Such. A. Dumbass.

 

Ended up with a 3 day weekend last minute and decided to meet up with @BDN for some impromptu wheeling fun.

After a burger at K's, we headed over Cottonwood pass and then up Cumberland:

IMG_0637 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Brett showed me around some of the endless amount of old mining roads and ruins up in the area he use to explore around:

IMG_0643 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

IMG_0647 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

In a roundabout way we ended up at an awesome camp site. I left a decent pile of split wood for the next group to enjoy:

IMG_0651 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Next day was down the other side of Cumberland, and up the old train grade to the Alpine Tunnel. As per our previous discussion in the BS thread, we found the short out and back down the palisades to the tunnel was closed. No idea on reopening, so I'll continue to have to wait to run Williams Pass.

Anyways, I conviced Brett the shelf road wasn't that bad, and we ran out and back to the top of Tomichi:

IMG_0656 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

View from the top looking towards Hancock:

IMG_0657 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

And back towards the Alpine Tunnel:

IMG_0668 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Quintessential Hancock pass poser picture:

IMG_0680 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Pika at the top:

IMG_0687 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Through the countless tourists in St. Elmo and up Tin Cup Pass. Then Old Tin Cup in the rain:

IMG_0691 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Then turned around and went back up

IMG_0693 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Camped in Taylor Park last night, and headed up to the top of Taylor Pass this morning. Incredible view from the top:

IMG_0706 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

And an even better view a little ways down the Richmond Hill Road:

IMG_0717 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Flowers everywhere:

IMG_0720 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr

Richmond Hill/Aspen Mountain was all new trail for me and lots o fun. Pretty cool heading all the way from the top of Taylor down into downtown Aspen:

IMG_0727 by brettbjorgum, on Flickr


Anyways lots of fun was had on quick last minute trip.

 

Met up with Young Brett for a trip to Tincup.

Copper Mtn in the background.








That was all on Friday.

 

Saturday.
Section of the Palisades on Alpine Tunnel.






On the way to Tomichi Pass.

Top of Tomichi with Hancock in the background.




Starting up Hancock.

Top of Hancock looking at Tomichi Pass.



Tin Cup Pass from the St. Elmo side.

Impromptu brake job at the top of Tin Cup Pass with a lightning storm approaching.

 

Sunday.

Near the top of Taylor pass...

Richmond Hill Rd.
This trail spend most of it's time above 11,000' and some places over 12,000'.






Aspen.


Tired dog.


Great trip. Taylor Pass was prolly the best part.

 

Old Tin Cup trail. We ran up this afterwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvvYFHVf-dw

Taylor Pass obstacle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRK6Gjx2lp8

 

Hey! we ran the same trails this weekend! I stopped by you guys on the St. Elmo side of Tincup when you were pulled over wrenching on something. I asked if you guys were all good. I saw your guys' rigs a couple times before and after