Colorado guys enter! Weekend trip questions.

[joesrcool]

Hey guys, my girlfriend and I are planning a really short notice trip to Colorado this weekend. I just wanted to get some tips/advise on where to go and what to see while we're there. We're only going to be there for two days so our time is limited.

The plan was to leave Kansas on Friday night and arrive in Canon City on Saturday morning aprox. 0700. We're planning on meeting someone in Canon City on Sunday, so we'll be staying there Saturday night. On Saturday morning I was thinking of heading up to Cripple Creek on Phantom Canyon Rd. and back down on Shelf Rd. After that, I'm not really sure what to do. We may have some free time on Sunday too, before it gets dark.

So my questions are:
-Are those two roads worth visiting given their proximity to where we're staying?
-Are they passable this time of year? (I'm not familiar with CO weather)
-Anywhere else nearby that I should check out?
-Anyone want to meet up a tag along?

My 4Runner is a mostly stock 5th gen LE with BFG AT's so I'm not looking to do anything too extreme.

Thanks guys!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Looks like you picked a good time to visit. Weather currently sucks for travel, but by the weekend it's looking like it will be nice again. I have not been on the roads you have mentioned, but my guess is anything in that area is going to be a whole hell of a lot different than Kansas and will be currently covered in snow. If you get bored, you might check out the Royal Gorge. I'm not actually sure if it is open this time of year but, it has some pretty cool scenery where you wont have to go off road(although much of that may have burned down a little while back). Sorry I'm not too much help, but I will say this, don't spend tooooo much of your time in the casinos of Cripple Creek! Enjoy your trip and travel safe.

 

[snivilous]

I don't know how much experience you have in the snow, but regardless be careful driving. Where I live on the eastern slope had over a foot of new snow a few days ago and seems to get a few more inches every night and was -20F when I left the house this morning at 10am. Even the roads in the cities have lots of snow on them, let alone getting into the mountains the roads are all packed snow assuming they're plowed. Just a heads up. There still seems to be plenty of traction, but if you aren't super experienced with snow driving being cautious. Otherwise I have no recommendations! Have fun

 

[Volcom]

If you had more time, I'd suggest driving to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs near Salida and Buena Vista.

Shelf Road might be iffy with the recent snow we've gotten.

 

[piccrazy30]

On Saturday morning I was thinking of heading up to Cripple Creek on Phantom Canyon Rd. and back down on Shelf Rd.

So my questions are:
-Are those two roads worth visiting given their proximity to where we're staying?
-Are they passable this time of year? (I'm not familiar with CO weather)
-Anywhere else nearby that I should check out?
-Anyone want to meet up a tag along?

My 4Runner is a mostly stock 5th gen LE with BFG AT's so I'm not looking to do anything too extreme.

From my understanding Shelf Rd is a one way road from Canon City to Cripple Creek, its too narrow for two way traffic. Phantom Canyon is a nice drive but don't get stuck gambling in Cripple Creek too long

Have you heard of Bishops Castle? You could go sledding, my parents live in Canon, I can loan you some sleds in you want. Westcliffe is gorgeous when the Sangre de Cristo Range gets a lot of snow!!

 

[hounddogman]

Howdy , I live between Canon and Cripple Creek and normally the Phantom/Shelf loop is a nice drive but not in January. The upper elevations of Phantom can drift over in a couple of hours. But Bishop's castle is a fun day ( if you don't spend too long talking to Bishop ). The Royal Gorge Railroad is great. If you want a longer highway loop to see more of the state I can suggest a route . And btw Shelf Road is two way.

 

[LandCruiser]

I live in Woodland Park, which is down the road from Cripple Creek.

The roads are pretty ****ing scary for vehicles not running dedicated winter tires, studs, or chains.

It's also cold as hell, but this weekend should warm up.

 

[hounddogman]

Agreed ! This is my driveway about 4pm today that I plowed yesterday . The other one is the Cripple Creek mine ( the top of Shelf Road is right below that. ) from my front door.

 

[joesrcool]

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm glad I checked with you guys, otherwise I'd probably end up stuck somewhere. Bishops castle does look pretty neat so I'll add that to the list. It doesn't sound like we'll be doing the Shelf/Phantom loop unless it clears up, especially not solo. I'd be willing to give it a shot if others tagged along.

We may end up taking a longer, more travelled, loop to sight see. We've got all day Saturday and I'm not opposed to long drives.

Thanks guys!

 

[hounddogman]

Hear is a fun loop. MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

 

[joesrcool]

We made the trip and had a great time. We ended up heading north on Phantom Canyon Rd., stopped for lunch in Cripple Creek and headed back towards Canon City on Shelf Rd. By Saturday those roads were fine and I didn't have any trouble in the 4Runner.

hounddogman - I took your suggestion and headed north on the route you suggested from Bishop's Castle on our way out of Colorado on Sunday. Great views and very scenic! Thank you!

I'll create another thread in the 5th gen forum eventually, but in the meantime here are a few pics....

IMG_5196 by jplynch87, on Flickr

IMG_5275 by jplynch87, on Flickr

IMG_5335 by jplynch87, on Flickr

 

[hounddogman]

Nice pictures . I'm glad the weather cooperated for you. I can actually see my place in the second picture.