Colorado: Medano pass? Recommendations for light trails?

[03Limited]

May be taking a trip to Colorado this summer, and I'm wondering if it wouldn't be fun to take the T4R on some light off road trails... Something more than gravel roads, but somewhere I won't have any trouble in a stock 03 Limited. This will be done on a long road trip vacation, so I don't want to break anything.

Anyway, has anybody run Medano pass in Great Sand Dunes National Park? From what I can see on YouTube, it looks doable. Any other recommendations?

 

[JB.]

That would be a good choice. It's very doable in a stock 4th gen but will provide enough challenge to make it fun without risking damage. Also, it should be one of the more interesting trails for passengers, as well. Might as well play it safe and air down the tires a bit for the sandy parts. Assuming it's still there, there's air at the end of the trail (in the direction of coming from the pass into the dunes).

 

[03Limited]

That would be a good choice. It's very doable in a stock 4th gen but will provide enough challenge to make it fun without risking damage. Also, it should be one of the more interesting trails for passengers, as well. Might as well play it safe and air down the tires a bit for the sandy parts. Assuming it's still there, there's air at the end of the trail (in the direction of coming from the pass into the dunes).

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'll shoot for that one.

 

[jgedmond]

I did this trail a few years ago in my stock '04 SR5 4WD. Nice ride to the top from the sand dunes side with just a few rough spots. My first real off-road adventure and no problems. As said above, air down, but don't forget to air back up (like I did). It didn't take too long to realize something was wrong once back on the pavement!

Colorado Byways (Wilderness Press, Tony Huegel) and Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails (FunTreks, Inc., Charles A. Wells) rate the west side moderate with numerous stream fordings that can deep early in the season. There some mudholes and rocky narrow areas meandering through the trees. Usually open in mid-June. I think I went in mid-July, everything was dry and fordings were no problem at all.

Also in the area is Hermit Pass out of Westcliffe, rated easy (but rocky and rough) by Wells. I have never done this one, but sounds interesting with hiking, camping and fishing along the way, however, you have to return the way you came in. 9 miles and 2 hours one-way.

Have fun and be safe.

 

[jsmarine]

The town of Montezuma above Keystone has a ton of trails that take off from there, easy to moderate. It is very pretty and a great place to have some fun wheeling. There are so many trails you could spend a few days there. When I lived in Colorado and had people visit who wanted to get up into the mountains thats where I would take them, very pretty and enjoyable.

 

[jgedmond]

The town of Montezuma above Keystone has a ton of trails that take off from there, easy to moderate. It is very pretty and a great place to have some fun wheeling. There are so many trails you could spend a few days there. When I lived in Colorado and had people visit who wanted to get up into the mountains thats where I would take them, very pretty and enjoyable.

Not real close to Medano Pass, but as jsmarine said a great area with lots of trails. I spent a couple of days there doing several of the trails. Deer Creek / Saint Johns is an awesome ride, terrific views, mountain goats. There are some difficult trails in this area (like Radical Hill), so choose carefully.

 

[03Limited]

You guys are great. Thanks for all the info!

 

[jsmarine]

Yeah I guess there are a few difficult ones, if you don't like shelf roads staff off Websters pass, especially the back side. Saints John is a small ghost town, not much left anymore, but its a good trail ride and great scenery.