Visiting Colorado? This is your Local Information Thread!

I’ll check it out. Not concerned about a ton of driving as that’s pretty much all I’ll be doing this entire trip anyways

 

Moving this over here.

Rampart Range would offer camping south of Denver.

Go check out Needle Eye Tunnel up near Rollinsville.

 

@Rbeezy3636

Check out the first post it should be helpful.

 

Great, thank you... I still regret moving away from Colorado and now that I own a 4x4 truck I’ve come across this thread and its making me want to move back even more... hmm, It might just happen In 2021.

Formerly Allenspark.

 

Hopefully my 8 year old son and I will be out in SW Colorado next week. We're probably going to camp in the bed of the taco at night and do trails doing the day. Anybody up for hanging out?

 

Can anyone recommend some trails in the Leadville or Buena Vista areas?

I'm going on a trip with a group of guys next week. They haven't decided yet if we are going to Leadville or Buena Vista. One day during the trip I'd like to hit a trail or two. I'm going in an all stock 2020 DCSB OR, so I'm not looking for anything super difficult but something a little challenging would be fun.

Thanks!

 

There is a dirt road that starts at 39°04'04.3"N 106°30'17.4"W. Its between Leadville and Buena Vista by Twin lakes. Some patches of the trail are fun, water crossing or two. No mods needed really.

 

Now that's pretty cool. Wonder how many times that operator has done that. Or do they need to find a new guy each time - "One and Done!"

 

Hello, I'm planning on heading up to Colorado next month for some hiking and to explore the some of the mountain passes. Looking at an Air BnB in either Silverton or Ouray. I know they are pretty close to each other and allot of the activities we want to do but curious where locals would stay and why?

Thanks!

 

Somewhat dependent on what you want to do. I've stayed in both, neither is bad. Silverton is a bit more rural/spread out/not a lot of trees/feels a bit more touristy. Has the train, more directly accessible to Alpine Loop (the easier legs anyway). Ouray is a bit more 'resort-like', denser, lots of trees around town, has a loop trail around town and some interesting things to walk to, can be touristy but... higher-end I guess? More directly accessible to Imogene Pass/Telluride. Personally, I liked staying in Ouray more, but if it's just a basecamp for area activities and not hanging around town much either is fine. Could always stay in both.

 

PSA: Gov. Polis issues statewide 30-day ban on open fires as crews battle 4 major wildfires.

The new ban, which is effective statewide starting Thursday morning 8/20/20, prohibits open campfires and fireworks.
Home barbecues, camp stoves and some covered fire pits are allowed.

https://kdvr.com/news/local/gov-pol...open-fires-as-crews-battle-4-major-wildfires/

 

Anyone know if the smoke from wildfires is bad in Ouray area? Some news articles I read suggested it is.

 

gov website says so too https://www.airnow.gov/fires/ and here is the map https://fire.airnow.gov/

 

Thanks.

 

Smoke has been pretty heavy all throughout SW Colorado for the last several days. A weather system moving through Utah pushed the smoke from the Grand Junction and Glenwood Canyon fires south last week, and even down here in Durango it's been pretty gross. Further north (Silverton/Ouray) seems to be worse, being closer to the source. Today is a little better down here, hoping the wind shifts back to the normal SW pattern and drives this crap outta here... even if it does bring us California-origin wildfire haze.

 

Thanks....nice to have a first hand account of what it's like there currently. Was considering a socially distanced trip West but will probably wait for that.

 

How difficult are the switchbacks for a DCLB Tacoma? I've been told by a couple people that it may be pretty difficult on the switchbacks due to my wheelbase, but the pictures I've seen make it seem like only a couple would require a 3 point turn. I don't have sliders, but it is lifted (6112's/dakars) and I have a detroit tru-trac locker in the rear. I made it through Camp 5 trail in the Black Hills when I had no lift, went in and couldn't turn around. Still made it through with only 1 scratch!

Figured this would be a good place to ask. Possibly headed that way for Labor day weekend if our plans work out right.

 

You mean on black bear? you'll be fine. sliders and skids don't really matter on this trail unless you're doing the optional ledge on the way up before coming down the back side. even then it can be done without risk of damage with proper tire placement. or go around. that's the only place I ever used lockers on that trail and i've seen others go up open-open.

on the back side going down, just go slow over ledges but keep rolling and don't STOMP on your brakes, especially going over off-camber ledges. That's where the rollovers happen. When you get to the switchbacks, pay attention to where your tires are and don't drive off the edge. Back up and pull forward 10 times if you have to. Take it slow. Relax. Breath. Enjoy the view but once again...don't drive off the edge.

 

good point with the brakes.. don't do this..
https://youtu.be/x6icPNHXKY0

 

and pay attention so you don't do this
https://youtu.be/UxcYOxG0fDY