Trip: Shadow of the Rockies Trail

Hi all, I am stationed currently at NAS CC in Corpus Christi, TX. My wife and I are adventure seekers in our trail limo (Tacoma long bed).

I wanted to pitch an idea of organizing a small group of 3 or 4 vehicles and tackling the Shadow of Rockies trail that starts out near El Paso, TX and crosses the border in Wyoming. I have the GPS maps from Sam at Trans-America-Trail store and for our back route I've gathered another series of trails from a fellow overlander at lifestyle overland.

The dates of this trip have not been set yet, however, I am planning on around late January or early February.

If anyone is interested please post here and maybe we can get together and discuss more details.

Thanks!

 

i could be in pending dates

 

I'm not familiar with this trail but won't snow be a factor?

 

That is one of my concerns, hence the discussion. Besides, snow means more fun?

 

Haha I love snow bashing but a lot of trails are gated during the winter. I'll have to look where the route actually follows.

 

I cant find any details on the trail but a very vague map. I would definitely say this is impassable during the winter. Unless you have tracks?!

 

now that you mention it, that will be something to consider by the OP.

Don't want prep for something and have the roads closed when we get there

 

Yeah the maps have to be purchased, which I did. Very good point on trail closures during winter. I'll have to get in touch with local authorities in the areas we're the route takes us and investigate some more.
And no, don't have tracks lol

 

Here's a short trip report:

https://expeditionportal.com/trans-american-trail-shadow-of-the-rockies/

If a stock chevy can do it, we can!

 

Granted, it was dry out, but yes!

Another article: http://flatwateroverland.com/cdr-2011-shadow-of-the-rockies/#cdr-day-14

 

I did a little digging around and Colorado in winter months is quite dangerous driving wise. From the past the CDOT had issued several warnings to motorists, and since the trails encompasses many hwy passes, I think I'll post pone the trip until later dates.

I don't want to risk anyone's rig or be stranded out on some trail with limited or non-existing recovery options (talking about a tow truck).

 

This sounds awesome! I want to sign up, I am currently stationed NM but am PCSing to TX, not sure I will have the time in Jan/Feb with training to go. Any chance for a possible summer trip?

 

It will likely be pushed out a few months.

 

This sound cool, want to join the conversation and see how things go.

 

The trails seems promising. But I'll have to reset the departure date for a later time, weather permitting.

 

I think you would be better off waiting to at least mid to late April, if there is any snow closed roads they should be open by then and water levels down. It will still be muddy but it should be more passable by this time frame.

 

Yes, I was thinking around that time too. And that gets me to wrap up some small projects for the rig.

 

That's still pretty early. The trails that run through the high country usually have huge drifts that don't completely melt out until June. If you figure out what trails this follows you can get on Bushducks.com and see when they have opened in the past.

 

I agree on the June time. We go to Colorado regularly and it's nothing to see snow at Ike pass in June. I would wait til mid July at earliest

 

I did a little rocky mountain tour breaking in my stock 17 TRDOR this last July. There were several roads and passes still closed. The year before I had no issues in late July on my motorcycle. I would love to do a trip like this, but would need at least a year to get the time off and finances ready for such a venture. I look forward to reading the ride reports.