New to CO - Noob with 2017 4x4 SR5 - want to test the waters

I'll just buy another Tacoma if it comes to making a hobby out of this.

 

Same. That's good, I'll steal that.

 

To answer your original question, you'll have a bit of a learning period adjusting to your new environment. It is currently spring down here. It is still somewhat winter/mud season up there. Most trails aren't going to be open yet due either to snow or seasonal closure. Often things seasonal start up on Memorial Day, but some trails aren't open until July or August (if at all) some years. A couple of the local ranger district road status pages:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5339508

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/...000000000000&ttype=detail&cid=stelprdb5300963

And the broader, state-wide, crowd-sourced status page:

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm

That said, there may be some things lower down that are open, and we have been a little light on snow this year so things may open earlier than usual. If you just want to get out there for a drive, you can do that too. You'll want to keep an eye on the events thread already mentioned and the BS thread, maybe the trip report thread to get an idea of what different things are.

 

Woo! I've been needing another stock (mostly) off roading buddy

 

INterested in this thread. Got a stock '18 DCSB OR myself and been wondering what's out there.

Friend of mine suggested the Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails books for off roading and camping locations.

 

Books are a good starting point but Erosion and such changes trails constantly.

TrailsOffroad is trying to run trails consistently and provide current feedback on trails otherwise ask around in our BS thread, etc.
https://www.trailsoffroad.com/states/CO

 

*Waves

 

<--- Also on stock suspension and looking to break shit

 

Avsfreak18,
KDiz,
[kiesster]

Interested in meeting up? I'm trying to find an experienced group to go with tomorrow morning.

 

I'd only be able to do Saturday afternoons and Sundays (damn second job) on the regular, but can't do this weekend. I'd be open for next weekend or the one after though

 

Welcome to Colorado!

I'm currently in Broomfield right next to you, but am moving down to the Highlands area in about a month or so.

If you are careful you can do a lot with a stock truck. I ran my 14' DCOR all over the west and hit most of the iconic trails people go after before upgrading to a 18' DCOR. It is also currently stock and just got back from Moab thrashing it around.

I go on a lot of trails people say you need a lift for and then normally have a Subaru or something behind me going up too. FYI, you'll see a lot of Subarus here.

Get out and explore. As mentioned a lot of the main trails are not open right now because it is still kind of winter up in the mountains. However, I feel that the National Forest Service is doing a piss poor job of adjusting trail closures for the lack of snow that happens in the mountains anymore.

It also depends on what kind of "off roading" you are looking to do. I use to do the whole rock crawler, break shit, see who can get up the biggest baddest thing when I was younger. I tend to do more exploring now or what some call "overlanding". Just depends on your style of travel.

Since you have never "off roaded" I would recommend getting out on some roads that some seem to consider trails and see what you think. Go up Flagstaff Rd in Boulder and then bust a left at the top on the dirt road that goes by Gross Reservoir and connect back to 72 to come back down to Westminster. Pretty drive and it is a VERY mild dirt road with some slight wash board. This is not off roading, but I know a lot of people that hit roads like this and think its crazy haha.

Other areas to explore this time of year could be around Rampant Range Rd South West of Denver, some good side roads you can go down there too. Also, in the Hayman Fire district outside of Bailey, CO and around Wellington Lake.

You can go up the backside of Guenella Pass right now (at Grant off of 285) and right before the pass is closed there is a road that leads to some camping on the left. If you go far back in there you can get into some stuff.

Try these little trails (roads) to get a feel for how deep you want to go down this rabbit hole and report back.

 

Speaking of your move, did you get everything sold that you wanted to?

 

No, still have tons of shit. I need to update the thread. Got tired of sitting around the city and took off for Moab to escape. I'll try to update the thread with everything this weekend.

 

@johnsoct I wouldn't be able to do to tomorrow morning as I am headed SW for a weekend getaway.

I'd be down for other weekends though. @CODOTUS has some good advice there.. Just get out off the pavement and get a feel for your truck before you get in over your head somewhere (which will happen - eventually). TrailDamage.com is full of useful information - difficulty, length, photos, etc. to get you started.

I just met another new member @Cheakub whom I've been meaning to meet up with. He might be interested in some day trips as well

 

Old Chicago has it on tap, I like it

 

Welcome to Westminster! I'm also running stock with no plans to lift it. I used to wheel a 2011 FJ Cruiser with most of the bells and whistles but don't plan on doing the same to the taco. It's going to be more of an escape vehicle to get the hell out of the city on the weekends and ditch all of the Subarus to get some relative isolation.

 

Speaking of Toyotas and Colorado beers. It's got an FJ40 so it got one go 'round. It'll be just the one, though. Meh.

 

I'm stock right now as well. At least for a few more weeks anyway. Once you get the mod bug, it's over. Picked up a set of TC UCAs and just deciding which route to go on the lift at this point. TRD Sport suspension blows, but I knew that I would upgrade sooner than later, so no big deal.

 

Speaking of weather, this weekend might be good for testing mud.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.706&lon=-105.6958#.Wv8y97FzJhE

 

Got plans to watch Deadpool 2 tomorrow morning.