Beginner Front-Range OHV Trails

Hi all -- I've searched through here as much as I can stand, as well as poured through AllTrails and other resources... but still not quite convinced I've found any "decisive" answers. I'm 40, wife, kids, suburbia. I have a brand-new 2021 Tacoma OffRoad that's not had anything done to suspension or wheels beyond stock -- but I figure even stock it's far more truck than my off-road driving experience will keep up with anyway.

We've done plenty of "graded road" type drives -- Rollins Pass from the WinterPark side, etc. I'm looking for some recommendations for trails that are within quick and easy day-trip range of home (Arvada) that will be *just* enough of an adventure stretch to be more exciting than the graded dirt road stuff, but also not terrify the wife and kids too much!

Thoughts?


Thanks!

 

https://funtreks.com/off-road-trails/

 

While that's a nice resource and site I hadn't yet discovered -- it still leaves me with the same question. While I can (and now have) drain(ed) an entire day into research and planning a zillion possible / plausible routes that start and end at the house here in Arvada, I'm more curious to know if anyone else here had found themselves in the same position at some point... and how and what trails / loops / routes they used to get moving... So, more personal experience anecdotes from the perspective of a relative beginner with an appetite for adventure (but also a wife and kids)! (and less that which I can eventually find via Google)

 

The green routes are generally pretty mellow. I’ve followed Fun Treks routes in CO, Moab, AZ, and CA, all the places they publish guide books for. The books are written for people with little experience and are an amazing resource. If I were you and off-roading in CO is something you plan to pursue having a physical copy of the book is great. There are the two current ones and a few older versions that may have more info.

Funtreks ratings definitely over grade, I’d feel comfortable taking my mom’s Crosstrek down any of the green rated trails.

For your first trip, find a trail that is close that is rated green such as Gross Reservoir, plan to spend the whole day there, don’t be afraid to turn around if you get uncomfortable, bring food and water, post up in the CO BS thread to see if anyone wants to join you. Plenty of people may say yes and then drop out the day before. Expect any mellow trail in close vicinity to a large metro area to be mobbed on a weekend/holiday.

 

i second the fun treks books. the site can be overwhelming while having a physical copy of the book while youre out there is great. there are 2 current copies as hoarder mentioned, one north of i70 one south of i70. ive done a few trails in the southern book as i live down in springs, and the descriptions are pretty spot on.

the colorado mallcrawlers youtube page has some good video guides on some trails in the book, but he drives a jeep

b roll offroad on youtube is a fun rabbit hole to go down too. as the name suggests, its more b roll stuff, but wow he goes all over colorado... but he drives an xterra.

i only say that cuz were on a tacoma forum

always remember, stay the trail, dont be a dick, clean up after yourself, and im sure there are other rules to follow too

 

I'm from Arvada, one of my favorite super-close, easy 4x4 trails is Kingston Peak. As a bonus you won't have to drive the same roads twice: head up coal creek to rollinsville, drive the trail, then come home down clear creek. If there's daylight left at the end of the trail, hit the glacier at St Marys, or go up to one of the lakes to fish. Or get some of that epic BBQ in Idaho Springs. (God I miss living in the front range!) One of the best day-trip trails in the area, not too hard, but not too easy either. Check current conditions, haven't been there in years.



Back when I was getting into 4x4 trails in the area, the best resource was Trail Damage, but they changed their model several years ago and it's no longer an encyclopedia of trails. AllTrails -- edit I mean Trailsoffroad -- can go fuck itself.

 

Geneva Creek, Devil's Canyon, Argentine Pass and McClellan Mtn (take the easy route up to Waldorf; there are two which run next to each other), Rollins Pass East (probably too easy), Fall River Reservoir and Chinns Lake, Jones Pass (too easy), Loch Lomond, most anything in the Apex area, most of the routes off of Spring Gulch Road (do not recommend Cascade Creek these days; it's gotten rough in a couple of spots), Bard Creek, Democrat Mtn... that should get you started.

 

Something to keep in mind is trails change year to year with use/ erosion etc. Some take book trail ratings with a grain of salt. This forum is a good resource to get more recent info.

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/states/CO
Also these guys/ members do a good job running trails consistently and adding comments about changes etc.

Also, at least for me, using OHV means side by side or 4 wheeler trails that trucks don't fit on.

 

Books are a good resource and I've always liked trail damage but it's not the same anymore plus you have to pay for it. Pictures and videos can be decieving so you have to be careful. Best thing is just find some people heading up and tag a long. You can learn a lot and build your confidence up a little at a time. Kingston is one of my favorites and it's never disappointing but it is a bumpy closer to the peak. It has great views as well. http://bushducks.com is another really good source on trail conditions so I would check that out too.

 

@EssTiDee drive up sunshine canyon out of Boulder and drive up to gold hill. You can access Switzerland trail from there. It is a super easy trail, but has great scenery.

 

@EssTiDee Avoid Pennsylvania gulch off of Switzerland trail. I did it 2 days ago and it is not family or new truck friendly....