Lifestyle Trails (A.K.A. “Trails for Pusses”) — list them here!!!!!

[ParadigmDawg]

This is great for us beginners that are looking for easier trails

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[Dkretden]

This is great for us beginners that are looking for easier trails

Yep.

But it’s also a helpful resource for folks who, like me, really never want to “challenge” our Jeeps or our offroad driving skills. Rather, I just want to get somewhere fun or interesting.

for many, driving a 10-mile loop over huge boulders or deep muck is what they enjoy. That’s terrific for them. But for some, like me, it’s much more fun to drive down some “trail” to get to something that you want to see or do. That’s what “trails for pusses” is all about.

if you find and drive a good Trail for Pusses, please post it here!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep.

But it’s also a helpful resource for folks who, like me, really never want to “challenge” our Jeeps or our offroad driving skills. Rather, I just want to get somewhere fun or interesting.

for many, driving a 10-mile loop over huge boulders or deep muck is what they enjoy. That’s terrific for them. But for some, like me, it’s much more fun to drive down some “trail” to get to something that you want to see or do. That’s what “trails for pusses” is all about.

if you find and drive a good Trail for Pusses, please post it here!

I think that is what we want to do too. I beat up my new TRX and have pinstriped the heck out of it. We decided a Jeep would be so much better but now that we purchased a new one, we aren't dying to beat it up. We are thinking about Livestyling the Jeep and doing whatever we want in the TRX which seems backwards...lol...

 

[Beau Nugget]

I think that is what we want to do too. I beat up my new TRX and have pinstriped the heck out of it. We decided a Jeep would be so much better but now that we purchased a new one, we aren't dying to beat it up. We are thinking about Livestyling the Jeep and doing whatever we want in the TRX which seems backwards...lol...

That seems like a perfectly good disposition of a TRX to me.

 

[Dkretden]

It seems like it’s time for another addition to the Trails for Pusses thread.

Colorado… “California Park, Routt National Forest North west of Steamboat Springs “. Google maps: “California park, Colorado”

this is a terrific drive. Take hiway 40 north out of town (paved) to CO-70 (dirt) to CO-80 (also dirt). The drive will take about 2 hours —- especially in the fall as the Aspen turn their amazing yellow.

this is a simple maintained dirt road with one stream crossing (when there isn’t any rain) of about 6 inches.

the main draw of this drive is leaf peeping. It is nothing but stunning. But I am also told that hunting is a big activity here too.

you will likely see a few pickups on the roads for the cowboys who are working the land along the way but you’re unlikely to see anything else. It’s so quiet, you truly can‘t hear anything but a breeze blowing the grass.

the aspen groves that you will drive through have aspens that are as big (“old”) as I have ever seen. HUGE trees compared to what I typically see.

below are a couple of “panoramic” snaps. I didn’t shoot all the amazing journey through the groves.

take your jeep and go. Just go. In the fall about this time. Just go.

 

[Left Field]

Idaho (& Montana)

Lolo Motorway
Historic and scenic unpaved forest road that follows Lewis & Clark's journey through the Bitterroot Mountains following Nez Perce trails.

The road runs parallel to the original Nez Perce trail, with signage along the way describing conditions and events of the L&C journey. The eastern 40 miles between Lolo, MT and Powell is paved (US 12). The 'Motorway' (unpaved) turns off near Lochsa Lodge, which has fuel, food & lodging. This is the scenic and interesting section, running around 90 unpaved miles west to Pearce, ID.

Average road condition. Some areas are potholed or rough but nothing technical. A few sections are popular with the ATV & SxS folks, roll your windows up - can be dusty.

Indian Post Office - a sacred place for sending messages, was considered ancient even as Lewis and Clark passed through.
These are original rock pillars along the trail.

There are a number of fire lookout towers in the area that are available to stay in. We saw one that required reservations, the rest, like this one was first come - first serve.

This was an unusual fire lookout along the trip - it is in active service. The sign said welcome to visit but please respect the privacy of the ranger.

Good road for wildlife too, deer and moose are not uncommon.

The trail is at fairly high elevation and snow can persist late in the summer - verify the trail is open when making your plans.

LF

 

[Left Field]

Washington

Bethel Ridge Trail aka FS325
This is a trail east of Mt Rainier, running from near Rimrock Lake along US 12, north, then dropping down to WA SR410. It is around 6000' elevation along the ridge with expansive views across the valley below. Mt Adams is seen to the south, Mt Rainier to the west.

The road is generally in good conditions with a few areas of potholes and washboards. A few areas are deeply rutted in the mud but have bypasses.

Mount Adams in the distance

A viewpoint along the ridge

Access to/from the north end of the ridge is from WA SR410, which goes over Chinook Pass and past Tipsoo Lake. Mt Rainier in the background.

East of Chinook Pass, near the access point to Bethel Ridge are a couple of nice places to pick up a good meal - Whistliin Jack's and Gold Creek Station. Fuel is available also.

LF

 

[whitechocolate]

Yep.

But it’s also a helpful resource for folks who, like me, really never want to “challenge” our Jeeps or our offroad driving skills. Rather, I just want to get somewhere fun or interesting.

for many, driving a 10-mile loop over huge boulders or deep muck is what they enjoy. That’s terrific for them. But for some, like me, it’s much more fun to drive down some “trail” to get to something that you want to see or do. That’s what “trails for pusses” is all about.

if you find and drive a good Trail for Pusses, please post it here!

Thanks for the thread, exactly what we're looking for

 

[stephanadams]

Excellent thread ! I'll contribute one of my many favorite easy trails, Highland Lakes. Being in California, it is not a secret place and there are plenty of videos ...

Tutuapp 9Apps​

 

[Dkretden]

Colorado
Poudre Pass to the headwaters of the Colorado river
about 80 miles Northwest of Fort Collins with About 14 miles on a nice/easy dirt road.

Take the family to this pass, park, and walk the quarter mile to the headwater (A meadow). Don’t be confused by the Grand Ditch (google it) that Colorado built to ‘grab‘ water out of the mountains BEFORE it makes it into the Colorado River and pitch it over the Pass and into the La Poudre River which flows out to the farmlands on the eastern side of the divide.

Walk into Rocky Mountain National park down, over the Grand Ditch, and back to the divide. Maybe a total of a quarter mile.

in this picture the meadow is ahead of you. All water hitting it will become the Colorado River and flow west. Behind you is another meadow. All water hitting it will flow east. You are standing on a little rise that IS the continental divide.

if you want to geek out about water, continental drainage, water rights, etc. this is a great place to do it. Quiet, stunning, and not a soul around. Open seasonally only as this area can get a couple of dozen feet of snow per year.

 

[Beau Nugget]

Colorado
Poudre Pass to the headwaters of the Colorado river
about 80 miles Northwest of Fort Collins with About 14 miles on a nice/easy dirt road.

Take the family to this pass, park, and walk the quarter mile to the headwater (A meadow). Don’t be confused by the Grand Ditch (google it) that Colorado built to ‘grab‘ water out of the mountains BEFORE it makes it into the Colorado River and pitch it over the Pass and into the La Poudre River which flows out to the farmlands on the eastern side of the divide.

Walk into Rocky Mountain National park down, over the Grand Ditch, and back to the divide. Maybe a total of a quarter mile.

in this picture the meadow is ahead of you. All water hitting it will become the Colorado River and flow west. Behind you is another meadow. All water hitting it will flow east. You are standing on a little rise that IS the continental divide.

if you want to geek out about water, continental drainage, water rights, etc. this is a great place to do it. Quiet, stunning, and not a soul around. Open seasonally only as this area can get a couple of dozen feet of snow per year.

Thanks for the tip on this place. You had me at the part about geeking out over water. I’ll have to check it out.

Consequently, my brother in law has a half baked idea to pack inflatable kayaks in to the grand ditch and float down it. I’ve declined his invitation should he ever decide to execute this plan

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