Colorado trip Ideas

[c20040215]

We are tossing around the idea of exploring some trails in Colorado, specifically within 2 hours west of Denver.
The current consensus is 4 trail days and the 2 trails we want to run are Holy Cross and Chinaman Gulch, but I'd like to get more suggestion from you folks to lay down a solid plan.

I want to plug in two scenic days in between the two hardcore days. My initial thoughts are: 1st and 3rd day are scenic runs. 2nd and 4th day are Holy Cross and Chinaman Gulch.

1. What are some great scenic trails that take at least 5-6 hours to run in that area?

2. All 3 Jeeps are pretty standard set up, 4-door 2.5-3.5 lift on 37s and lockers. How long would Holy Cross and Chinaman Gulch take us to complete? There are many variables that could change the duration but lets assume there are no big surprises.

3. Any other fun and challenging trails besides Holy Cross and Chinaman Gulch in the area?

4. What is the best time to visit? I am thinking either late June, or Early September.

Your inputs are much appreciated.

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[swozey]

I'm new to CO so I haven't gone to many trails but definitely check out Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pas, Imogen Pass. I'd personally never do them because I'm a wuss but if you're good with looking over the edge of a cliff I'm sure they're fun and they'll take you down to Tellrude or Steamboat Springs which are pretty towns to spend time in.

 

[Don_TLR]

Red Cone area is beautiful and later in the year will be Rocky Mountain Goats in the middle of August, lune might be too early and find snow.

 

[Krondor]

The Ouray/Telluride area is beautiful for sure, and easier trails, but they are a bit further out.

I've actually not done Holy Cross or Chinaman Gulch (let alone Carnage), because I like to explore alone and mostly go in to hike and bike those areas. Those trails are a bit harder and will require a group with a good spotter.

The vistas out by Aspen are also some of the most scenic, and could be within reach.

https://www.alltrails.com/us/colorado/aspen/off-road-driving

 

[DurangoWino]

I'm new to CO so I haven't gone to many trails but definitely check out Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pas, Imogen Pass. I'd personally never do them because I'm a wuss but if you're good with looking over the edge of a cliff I'm sure they're fun and they'll take you down to Tellrude or Steamboat Springs which are pretty towns to spend time in.

Those are all in SW CO, I think he was looking nearer Denver area.

 

[Krondor]

You can find trail status here:

https://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm#redcone

 

[ZigZag]

I was thinking Red Cone as well. Very scenic and not terribly challenging. You need to use the engine for braking on the way down. The surface is generally loose and VERY STEEP. But the sides are even steeper so you don't want to get sideways at all. When you get down from Red Cone, you can turn right or left. Left takes you back to 285 and right takes you to a network that could take you out in Keystone or Breckenridge depending on which way you go. Lots of fun to be had and will make it a day.

Chinaman is not terribly difficult and you should have no problem on 37s. I have done it many times on 33s without issue. The problem with Chinaman is that it is pretty far from Denver. There are a lot of trails in that area.

Holy Cross is very popular. It can be really hard, especially with smaller tires. How long it takes depends on traffic at French Creek. There is no bypass at French Creek because it is Wilderness Area (no motorized or wheeled vehicles) on both sides. Smaller rigs find id very challenging, larger rigs don't. The issue is that you cross the creek and get your tires good and wet and then you have to crawl over some large boulders to get out of the creek.

You might check out the books by Charles Wells here. They are a good value for trip planning and well worth the money. Chuck has been doing this for a long time (decades) so he has some street cred. Also check out Bushducks for trail status, the Colorado Gazetteer for topo maps and Trail Damage. Trail Damage used to have great trail reports as they ran about 4 trails every weekend during the summer. That has diminished some but there is still a lot of info on the page. I guess the reports are now for members only and membership costs $12 per year.

Let us know as your plans firm up and maybe some forum members would like to join you.

 

[c20040215]

I'm new to CO so I haven't gone to many trails but definitely check out Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pas, Imogen Pass. I'd personally never do them because I'm a wuss but if you're good with looking over the edge of a cliff I'm sure they're fun and they'll take you down to Tellrude or Steamboat Springs which are pretty towns to spend time in.

Las October on our way to Moab we stopped by Ouray for the weekend and did Imogene and Engineer Pass. It was definitely amazing! The Imogene pass was covered by snow already and impassable.

 

[c20040215]

Those are all in SW CO, I think he was looking nearer Denver area.

That is the dilemma. I want visit Ouray again but it is about 4-5 hours from Colorado Spring if I remember correctly. And once you are in Ouray, it is dumb not to go to a Moab since it only 3 hours away.

I want to do a shorter and more relax trip this time. And thats why I am thinking outside of Denver. There is so much Colorado has to offer! We are traveling from Indiana by the way.

 

[c20040215]

I was thinking Red Cone as well. Very scenic and not terribly challenging. You need to use the engine for braking on the way down. The surface is generally loose and VERY STEEP. But the sides are even steeper so you don't want to get sideways at all. When you get down from Red Cone, you can turn right or left. Left takes you back to 285 and right takes you to a network that could take you out in Keystone or Breckenridge depending on which way you go. Lots of fun to be had and will make it a day.

Chinaman is not terribly difficult and you should have no problem on 37s. I have done it many times on 33s without issue. The problem with Chinaman is that it is pretty far from Denver. There are a lot of trails in that area.

Holy Cross is very popular. It can be really hard, especially with smaller tires. How long it takes depends on traffic at French Creek. There is no bypass at French Creek because it is Wilderness Area (no motorized or wheeled vehicles) on both sides. Smaller rigs find id very challenging, larger rigs don't. The issue is that you cross the creek and get your tires good and wet and then you have to crawl over some large boulders to get out of the creek.

You might check out the books by Charles Wells here. They are a good value for trip planning and well worth the money. Chuck has been doing this for a long time (decades) so he has some street cred. Also check out Bushducks for trail status, the Colorado Gazetteer for topo maps and Trail Damage. Trail Damage used to have great trail reports as they ran about 4 trails every weekend during the summer. That has diminished some but there is still a lot of info on the page. I guess the reports are now for members only and membership costs $12 per year.

Let us know as your plans firm up and maybe some forum members would like to join you.

Good info. I will take a deeper look! Thank you.

 

[swozey]

Not to steal your post but you'll hopefully get more ideas-

Can anyone recommend trails that aren't off the edge of a mountain/cliff? I've been trying to track down some nice forest runs, ghost towns, etc and am not having much luck. Like said, I'm new to CO so I'm not really sure where I should be looking. All of the offroading I've done have been the Gulches 1-2 hours west of CO Springs. Ideally I'd find some overlanding routes that are worth camping in but with the drought it might be hard.

signed- dude who is terrified of heights

 

[Chris1985]

I know its not "off road", BUT if you are in the Woodland Park CO area you should hit up Pikes Peak aka Americas Mountain. My wife and I hit it up twice in last week it was so amazing! To top it off our 10 month old had no issues at the top of the mountain with breathing (14,000 elevation). Its a nice drive up and down, on the way down there are off shoots with rough, unpaved, back country roads that lead to fishing holes, camp grounds and all sorts of other destinations. Just a thought. Anything you do in CO will be amazing. I live in a VERY beautiful state!

 

[Krondor]

I know its not "off road", BUT if you are in the Woodland Park CO area you should hit up Pikes Peak aka Americas Mountain. My wife and I hit it up twice in last week it was so amazing! To top it off our 10 month old had no issues at the top of the mountain with breathing (14,000 elevation). Its a nice drive up and down, on the way down there are off shoots with rough, unpaved, back country roads that lead to fishing holes, camp grounds and all sorts of other destinations. Just a thought. Anything you do in CO will be amazing. I live in a VERY beautiful state!

A must for sure!

I've hiked that hill many times, now mostly in the winter and up the back side (not as long.) Always worth the effort for the views. If you have never been up on a mountain, then it's a must see. Especially because you can take the tram or even drive to the top. Have some coffee/coco and a doughnut. Love that mountain. ?

 

[ZigZag]

Not to steal your post but you'll hopefully get more ideas-

Can anyone recommend trails that aren't off the edge of a mountain/cliff? I've been trying to track down some nice forest runs, ghost towns, etc and am not having much luck. Like said, I'm new to CO so I'm not really sure where I should be looking. All of the offroading I've done have been the Gulches 1-2 hours west of CO Springs. Ideally I'd find some overlanding routes that are worth camping in but with the drought it might be hard.

signed- dude who is terrified of heights

I would point you to the Charles Wells (Funtreks) books. They have trails of all levels of difficulty and you can see them on a map. He has an app for iOS or Android (kind of expensive) but a lot of these resources will tell you how much elevation change the trail included (with a profile). Also, Trail Damage rates the trails on a variety of factors (scenic, rocks, mud, water crossings, etc). Might be just what you are looking for.

 

[swozey]

I would point you to the Charles Wells (Funtreks) books. They have trails of all levels of difficulty and you can see them on a map. He has an app for iOS or Android (kind of expensive) but a lot of these resources will tell you how much elevation change the trail included (with a profile). Also, Trail Damage rates the trails on a variety of factors (scenic, rocks, mud, water crossings, etc). Might be just what you are looking for.

Thanks! I actually just ordered them, both Colorado options w/the gpx datacard. Not sure I needed the gpx card but I figured it'd put them all in one spot for me to import into Gaia. I liked the pictures of the trails Funtreks had.

Was pricey ($99) I hope they're good

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