Visiting Colorado? This is your Local Information Thread!

So, any of yall have any opinions on Turret, CO, Alpine Ridge, Browns Canyon National Monument, or Hunter-FryingPan Wilderness?

Only have a couple of days out there, and mostly looking for some hiking and solitude.

Thanks!

 

We were back there over Labor Day last year. Very cool area but we certainly weren't alone. It was a holiday weekend and the campground was full as we came across a bunch of hikers, horse back riders, and decent traffic on the trail. We setup camp in a clearing across the road from the campground. Just gotta watch out for the free range cattle! The parking area at the end of the trail was pretty full and there were several campers along the trail as well. Not as busy as other trails out here but still had a decent amount of folks out and about. We hiked the loop at the end which was pretty awesome. It's definitely worth the trip out. Maybe won't be as crazy on a non-holiday weekend or during the week. As stated by others, the trail isn't difficult but there are some deep ruts to pay attention to and water can make things a little slick.

On a related note, the amount of beetle kill, both standing and dead fall, is amazing. They're trying to clear some of it out but the area is one well placed lightening strike away from being the next big wildfire.

 

Is anyone reporting fuel shortages in Silverton or Ouray?

 

I drove Medano pass from the Sand Dunes over the pass a few days ago and it was in great shape. I definitely recommend a day at Great Sand Dunes. I'm now in the Frisco / Breck area for another week and would love any recommendations for a few more runs. Or if there is any pointer to a group page where I could see others going out? THANKS in advance!

 

There are a bunch of trails just a bit south from there.

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/states/CO/high-country

Use this and their Map to figure out what you want to do.

 

did you have to air down or anything?

 

High Mountain 4 x 4 Passes

• Black Bear Pass - Closed
• Imogene Pass - Open
• Ophir Pass - Open
• Last Dollar Pass - Open
• No access to Bridal Veil Falls 6/28 & 6/29. No vehicles, hikers or bikers allowed. The road crew will be coming off the switchbacks on Black Bear Pass creating dangerous conditions for anyone below the road.

But under road alerts it says Black Bear its now open?

High Mountain Pass Status
◄ Back
June 28, 2021 3:09 PM
Black Bear Pass Open
Black Bear is open. Please drive safely!

Road Conditions | San Miguel County, CO - Official Website (sanmiguelcountyco.gov)

Colorado High Country Status - Trails Offroad

 

Not completely necessary but I would recommend it.

 

Black Bear is open for the season

 

Great time to find this thread - driving up there (Littleton) in a couple days! Hoping to get a bit of fishing in over the week or so we’re there.
Thanks for compiling all this!

 

I was at 15 psi -- a few soft sand spots. And generally WAY more comfortable. I have a compressor so could air back up. If you go the other way - and end up at great sand dunes there is air right at the end of the trail in the parking lot.

 

Nice! Be sure to check out our fishing thread, plenty of decent spots near Littleton.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/colorado-river-monsters-fishing.673104/page-22#post-25896879

 

One of these days I'll get around to updating this thread a bit more lol

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/colorado-info-for-alpine-loop.582594/

Too lazy to look at first page to see if this is there.

 

Is anyone doing BB this week?

We’ve been coming to the area for several years now, but never taken the time for Black Bear when it was open.

I’m pretty comfortable with wheeling my truck, but trails are more fun (and safer) with a friend.

 

Black Bear is not difficult until you hit the downhill to Telluride. And then it's just narrow shelf with 7 point turns on the switchbacks. You'll be fine, take it slow and keep eyes on the road.

 

If running on weekend there will be crowds of vehicles around, don't think I have ever run it on a week day.

 

I will be coming up from New Mexico mid to late August to do BB and Imogene - Son and his family live in COS, will drop the wife off with the grandkids and my son and I will drive over/down to do this loop - first time and really looking forward to it.

 

Enjoy, These 2 Passes are really must due for me. Although I like to run Imogene into Telluride, thus I end up doing Ophir Pass as well.

 

Hopefully your faired better than this Texas group of jeeps. Drove waaay too close to the edge, shut the trail down until they could recover it.