Heading to the Denver Area next week (spring break) would like some input

[Renegade_Medic]

Hi, my wife and I will be up in Denver next week to visit some friends and wanted to go do some trail /Fire service road driving. One day we are planning to go to Pike's peak. I think we are taking back roads to get there, to hopefully see some scenery. I know there are tons of trails in the area, but I don't know how they are right now. I was wondering if someone in the area knows of some decent trails or nice views to check out, and also the condition of the trails.
I know here the "winter" has been mild- 80 here yesterday, but that doesn't mean it's been warm up there.
Thanks!

 

[JayRolla]

Hi, my wife and I will be up in Denver next week to visit some friends and wanted to go do some trail /Fire service road driving. One day we are planning to go to Pike's peak. I think we are taking back roads to get there, to hopefully see some scenery. I know there are tons of trails in the area, but I don't know how they are right now. I was wondering if someone in the area knows of some decent trails or nice views to check out, and also the condition of the trails.
I know here the "winter" has been mild- 80 here yesterday, but that doesn't mean it's been warm up there.
Thanks!

Its been pretty windy. Pikes Peak usually wont let you go up when windy so try to pick a calm day before heading.

I guess the question is how capable is your rig?

 

[RonJR]

Likely not much will be open in the backcountry above 8000 feet. The USFS keeps things closed until after the spring thaw and the roads dry out to avoid damage. That limits you to mostly foothills type roads or maintained secondary roads.

There are lots of good secondary roads southwest of Denver in the S. Platte Canyon that are scenic and will be open. Head down through Sedalia into the canyon and down towards Deckers. You could then go from Deckers to Divide, then through Cripple Creek, and down Phantom Canyon southwest of Pikes Peak. Pretty cool road.

Pikes Peak is a special case - it's a private toll road managed to make $$, so they plow it out when possible. Depends on the weather as to open or not.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Thanks, I'll be sure to keep an eye on the weather.
I had viewed some roads in the Platte river area, down toward Pikes peak that I was planning on driving. Specifically Hwy 67.

As for my rig, Id say it's fairly capable. I don't have a winch (haven't gotten that far yet, waiting on a bumper) or snow chains. I do have 285/70R17s that are fairly aggressive and a decent lift. I have a several years experience wheeling, just not much in snow/ice. My last trip to Colorado in the winter we buried an F350 in the snow and walked a few miles to the cabin to stay for the week. The road was only plowed the Araya certain point, and we thought we could just drive the rest of the way....
That is disappointing to hear about the trail/service roads being closed, guess I'll have to stick to the hard pack. Thanks

 

[Co4Fun]

Likely not much will be open in the backcountry above 8000 feet. The USFS keeps things closed until after the spring thaw and the roads dry out to avoid damage. That limits you to mostly foothills type roads or maintained secondary roads.



There are lots of good secondary roads southwest of Denver in the S. Platte Canyon that are scenic and will be open. Head down through Sedalia into the canyon and down towards Deckers. You could then go from Deckers to Divide, then through Cripple Creek, and down Phantom Canyon southwest of Pikes Peak. Pretty cool road.



Pikes Peak is a special case - it's a private toll road managed to make $$, so they plow it out when possible. Depends on the weather as to open or not.

Did you see this? Constant battle. Anyway more roads gated and closed until later in the year now:

http://m.theflume.com/mobile/free_content/article_6bc0cbf8-cdf9-11e6-94af-4bc1ddaf5394.html

Gotta stay involved and just going to say it...if you like your OHV access and yet also support some of these ultra enviro groups your only hurting yourself and all of us.

 

[White Stripe]

The great sand dunes are cool to see. Their is a mild trail right near by it. Can't remember the name of the trail. Careful where you go as a single truck with no winch. It can get pretty cold at night and some areas an be pretty rural. Really if u are wheelin by yourself go to harbor freight and buy a 8000k lb winch. Cheaper than a tow bill or death.

 

[Co4Fun]

The great sand dunes are cool to see. Their is a mild trail right near by it. Can't remember the name of the trail. Careful where you go as a single truck with no winch. It can get pretty cold at night and some areas an be pretty rural. Really if u are wheelin by yourself go to harbor freight and buy a 8000k lb winch. Cheaper than a tow bill or death.

And to my point above...Medano is closed and gated until later in the year although there are some others in the area. Based on your criteria likely not Blanca (snow anyway) but you could go up part of it just call it when you get to the snow or tech.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

The great sand dunes are cool to see. Their is a mild trail right near by it. Can't remember the name of the trail. Careful where you go as a single truck with no winch. It can get pretty cold at night and some areas an be pretty rural. Really if u are wheelin by yourself go to harbor freight and buy a 8000k lb winch. Cheaper than a tow bill or death.

OK I'll look into that. Yes I understand the risks, I'm not going to do anything crazy. I have thought about just getting a winch plate and putting the winch under the bumper. Maybe I'll do that. Basically I just didn't know the status of the service roads. Our friends there live in Highlands Ranch, haven't had much snow this year so want sure. Thanks for the warning.

 

[Sean K.]

Did you see this? Constant battle. Anyway more roads gated and closed until later in the year now:

Lawsuit forces seasonal road closures in Pike-San Isabel

Gotta stay involved and just going to say it...if you like your OHV access and yet also support some of these ultra enviro groups your only hurting yourself and all of us.

Reading that link boils my blood. So, ALLEGEDLY, the problem is vehicular noise and traffic so they are closing things to help large game animals....and yet snow mobiles will not be banned. Thereby proving the goal is simply to keep people out....not protect the game or environment.

 

[Co4Fun]

Reading that link boils my blood. So, ALLEGEDLY, the problem is vehicular noise and traffic so they are closing things to help large game animals....and yet snow mobiles will not be banned. Thereby proving the goal is simply to keep people out....not protect the game or environment.

You and me both man. My Dad has fought this stuff all his life through Mile Hi Jeep Club. These groups will and do use any trick in the book to close OHV. They do not compromise and honestly they will flat out lie about compromising and then slap a lawsuit on the land managers. And there are a LOT of good-willed wheelers who try to extend the olive branch, play by the rules and figure things out but it's never enough. And I get it, we do need to manage our land and resources for sure. Who hates litter and off-trail damage more than most of us? They do act like they just want it all shut off from people or open only to those that can hike in and enjoy it. But as I get older and have had some health issues I firmly just believe that's wrong. My Dad is getting older, my kids are all under 8 years old so we can't go hiking into the wilderness together but we can go on a trail run and enjoy the great outdoors together with our OHV's. Yes it has to be responsible but these resources are for all of us. It's hard not to get jaded after awhile. I'm still committed to continue to try though...

Anyway I know we're hijacking this thread a bit here but still...

Renegade_Medic, if you want to PM me some of your plans I'll let you know my thoughts. Being involved in advocacy I have been to most all of these areas and know most of the closures and what to expect at different times of the year etc. There are plenty of options for exploring and I want you to have a good trip so just lmk.

 

[White Stripe]

And to my point above...Medano is closed and gated until later in the year although there are some others in the area. Based on your criteria likely not Blanca (snow anyway) but you could go up part of it just call it when you get to the snow or tech.

Oh OK. I don't know where Modano goes. I only went about a half mile or so up it and turned around. It must go pretty high up. After doing Blanka peak Modano was not really exciting. It was cool driving at the base of the dunes.

 

[White Stripe]

OK I'll look into that. Yes I understand the risks, I'm not going to do anything crazy. I have thought about just getting a winch plate and putting the winch under the bumper. Maybe I'll do that. Basically I just didn't know the status of the service roads. Our friends there live in Highlands Ranch, haven't had much snow this year so want sure. Thanks for the warning.

When you use a winch once, you wonder how you got by without it. Even with one u gotta be careful what u tackle by yourself.

 

[Co4Fun]

Oh OK. I don't know where Modano goes. I only went about a half mile or so up it and turned around. It must go pretty high up. After doing Blanka peak Modano was not really exciting. It was cool driving at the base of the dunes.

It's actually a great trail. Not tech at all but long and cool as you saw. Blanca...ya that's the real deal.

 

[RonJR]

I can't comment on the merits of that lawsuit, although it does sound inconsistent to allow snowmobiles if the closure reason is wildlife disturbance.

Early season road damage is a big deal, however. I support locked gates in the spring until things dry out. One 4wd vehicle on a muddy road in June can cause more damage than 100 vehicles after it dries out in July. It needs to be recognized that "summer" doesn't really start in the Colorado high country until after July 4, but it generally lasts well into the fall. You're more likely to have dry trails for offroading or hiking on Oct. 15 than on June 15. You just have to shift your seasonal perspective.

March-May is the season for going to Moab, not to the Colorado high country

 

[Co4Fun]

I can't comment on the merits of that lawsuit, although it does sound inconsistent to allow snowmobiles if the closure reason is wildlife disturbance.



Early season road damage is a big deal, however. I support locked gates in the spring until things dry out. One 4wd vehicle on a muddy road in June can cause more damage than 100 vehicles after it dries out in July. It needs to be recognized that "summer" doesn't really start in the Colorado high country until after July 4, but it generally lasts well into the fall. You're more likely to have dry trails for offroading or hiking on Oct. 15 than on June 15. You just have to shift your seasonal perspective.



March-May is the season for going to Moab, not to the Colorado high country

So I agree with you fully...the problem though is that they lock them for a set period every year regardless of the current weather/conditions.

For example slaughterhouse is now on that list. But during dry winters like this one there's no reason it can't be run from a trail damage or resource management perspective. But now it will simply be gated until late spring regardless.

Also having watched this for years if they get a seasonal closure they'll eventually push for full. So even if we support the spirit I have seen their promises of a seasonal closure become full closure. Any excuse will do. Lefthand Canyon comes to mind....how long ago were the floods? How many OHV groups have been willing to help do the necessary work? How many meetings have there been with empty promises to reopen? The lock went on in 2013 and remains to this day. So enough of those situations and you start to have a hard time trusting even when you want to believe in the spirit of it all.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

I can't comment on the merits of that lawsuit, although it does sound inconsistent to allow snowmobiles if the closure reason is wildlife disturbance.

Early season road damage is a big deal, however. I support locked gates in the spring until things dry out. One 4wd vehicle on a muddy road in June can cause more damage than 100 vehicles after it dries out in July. It needs to be recognized that "summer" doesn't really start in the Colorado high country until after July 4, but it generally lasts well into the fall. You're more likely to have dry trails for offroading or hiking on Oct. 15 than on June 15. You just have to shift your seasonal perspective.

March-May is the season for going to Moab, not to the Colorado high country

Gotcha. I really wanted to go to Grand Canyon, but my wife couldn't take enough time off work. I want to go to Moab one day, I've always wanted to go. Maybe I'll drop her off in Denver and I'll just.....

 

[RonJR]

So I agree with you fully...the problem though is that they lock them for a set period every year regardless of the current weather/conditions.

For example slaughterhouse is now on that list. But during dry winters like this one there's no reason it can't be run from a trail damage or resource management perspective. But now it will simply be gated until late spring regardless.

I hear you, and ideally they'd do some "real-time" decision making on road conditions and open/close the gates accordingly. But, in the 40 years I've lived in Colorado, I've seen the USFS staffing just get cut more and more every year, such that they really don't have time to send a ranger out to check out the roads every week. And, since at this time of year conditions can change so rapidly, it's easier for them just to shut things down until June when they can then open the road and be pretty sure it will be OK until fall unless a major flood happens.

I'd love to see the Forest Service staff double in Colorado. I'd gladly chip in more taxes for that. But, instead we're stuck with most of the federal budget going to entitlement programs nobody can do anything about, and other stuff just gets short-changed. But, this is getting political now, so I'll get off my soapbox.

 

[Co4Fun]

I hear you, and ideally they'd do some "real-time" decision making on road conditions and open/close the gates accordingly. But, in the 40 years I've lived in Colorado, I've seen the USFS staffing just get cut more and more every year, such that they really don't have time to send a ranger out to check out the roads every week. And, since at this time of year conditions can change so rapidly, it's easier for them just to shut things down until June when they can then open the road and be pretty sure it will be OK until fall unless a major flood happens.



I'd love to see the Forest Service staff double in Colorado. I'd gladly chip in more taxes for that. But, instead we're stuck with most of the federal budget going to entitlement programs nobody can do anything about, and other stuff just gets short-changed. But, this is getting political now, so I'll get off my soapbox.

I'll get on that soapbox with you though buddy. And you are right USFS has limited resources and I don't make them the bad guys any longer...Boulder excepted. They really do usually just get caught in the middle. It's the ultra enviro groups that know the game...make it hard enough on the land managers that are already spread thin and voila you can close vast areas to the most of the taxpayers who own them. Entitlement sums it up nicely.

 

[RonJR]

OP, if you're not familiar with this resource, it's the best compendium of Colorado trails out there.

TrailDamage.com

("trail damage" refers to vehicle damage, not damage to the trails. It's a very responsible club.)

 

[Co4Fun]

OP, if you're not familiar with this resource, it's the best compendium of Colorado trails out there.



TrailDamage.com



("trail damage" refers to vehicle damage, not damage to the trails. It's a very responsible club.)

+1. Know a few people in this. Never liked the name due to that confusion but yes great club and resource.


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