Colorado Wheel/Camp/Fish/Hike Summer 2013

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In the process of planning a summer trip to Colorado. Currently running 265/75/16 Silent Armor tires, 3 inch lift (toytec spacer front, ome 890's rear), Elocker +5speed. Hoping to have a sleeping platform/drawer system in place prior to the trip.

My mom and her man will be tagging along for the trip but skipping the 4wheeling sections, as that is not the strong suit of Chevy Astro vans.
I currently have 2 options for departure dates from Texas. We can leave around June 4th, or August 4th. I would like to do some wheeling in the high country. When are the passes clear of snow usually? How about night time temps for those months? When are the flowers on the tundra in bloom? Looking for advice from locals on which month would be better suited for a 2 week adventure.

4wd trail, fishing and camping spot suggestions would be welcome too. The more lonely the better for camping, as noisy neighbors drive me nuts. Maybe some activities to keep mom busy while I wheel the peaks too. Hot tubs in Ouray maybe?

Some company on the trail rides would be welcome as well. I am not very experienced yet in offroad adventures.

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June is really too early for the high passes so August would be preferable. Ouray is an excellent choice as it has some of the most scenic high passes you'll ever see and nearby Telluride would provide you mom with nice shops to browse if she enjoys that kind of thing. If you went in August the odds would be very good that you would find people to run the trails with quite easily.
 
I would second the August time frame if you want to check out mountain passes--many of the higher ones are only clear a few weeks per year. I also agree with the suggested areas around the Ouray/Telluride/Silverton triangle--I have done a lot of research on that area, and there is a lot of fun for everyone (trails, views, picturesque old towns). Also plenty of camping in the area, including remote spots. I would recommend Sidekick Offroad info and DVD on the area if you choose there, and also Charles Howell's awesome guidebook for the trails and facilities info. Have fun!

EDIT: As those keen eyes have noticed, I wrote the wrong author's name--Charles WELLS is the correct name. See following posts. Oops!
 
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CXS, you are very correct--I was distracted and wrote the wrong name. Charles Wells is definitely who I was thinking of--I didn't have the book handy and was going by memory...and it obviously failed me (LOL)! I love this guy's books--I have both north and south Colorado, plus Moab, UT, and I have the Silverton, CO DVD and specific map from Sidekick Offroad.
 
Southwest Colorado in August it is then. I the Northern California book by Charles Wells, I will pick up a Colorado book as well. Planning the next trip helps make life more bearable here in the dusty plains.
 
Maybe I am missing something but the photo I posted was taken in late may from the top of Imogene. We didn't have any issues with snow and didn't see any places where there could have been any. As you can see though. I am not local. It might have been a light year.
 
Hey man,

Me and some friends are doing a trip for the week of the 4th of July. IDK if you can swing that. But the more the merrier!

We'll be in the San Juans, (Telluride, Ouray, Durango, and Silverton)
 
T4rman said:
Maybe I am missing something but the photo I posted was taken in late may from the top of Imogene. We didn't have any issues with snow and didn't see any places where there could have been any. As you can see though. I am not local. It might have been a light year.
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Last year was a super low snow year. I did all the passes with little to no snow. It was slightly heartbreaking.

This year though is a different story from what I've been hearing so far.
 
SoAZ4Runner said:
Last year was a super low snow year. I did all the passes with little to no snow. It was slightly heartbreaking.

This year though is a different story from what I've been hearing so far.
Click to expand...

Good to know there is snow somewhere! It seems like winters are getting weaker and shorter everywhere else. :(
 
1blink said:
Southwest Colorado in August it is then. I the Northern California book by Charles Wells, I will pick up a Colorado book as well. Planning the next trip helps make life more bearable here in the dusty plains.
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if you were going two weeks sooner, then I would join you on some of the trails
 
My trip is not working out as planned; a few things have come up. I may be able to do a shorter 1 week trip later in the summer I hope. We'll see what remains of my vacation time after I handle my responsibilities
 
Looks like I have a trip! Not as long as I wanted, but I'll take what I can get. 8/18-8/22 in Ouray/Telluride area, then 8/23-8/25 near Colorado Springs. This will be my first time in Colorado, if anybody plans to hit some trails I wouldn't mind some company
 
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