Off Road Trails in Colorado

ptung07

ptung07

New member
Hi,
My friends and I are planning to go on a road trip to Colorado this friday. We will be staying at Copper Mountain, Colorado and plan to do some off roading. My 2003 4Runner Sport Edition is completely stock with the original dunlop tires. It has the Toyota Front Skid Plate though :)
However, people that are in Colorado, what is the most easiest trail that my stock 03 4Runner can handle? I am new to this off road thing (We're from Kansas, 'nuff said) and any tips/suggestions?
Thanks everyone! Paul
 
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Here is a link with a ton of trails in CO. There are a lot that aren't near you but the trails out of leadville are pretty close as well Vail Pass. I didn't get to look at too many of them and there weren't any listed on vail pass but I used to live up there and if you head west on I-70 from copper mountain you will start going up the hill and there is an exit near the top. There is a big parking lot on the left, there should be some vehicles there. I used to snowmobile up there a lot on trails that are definitely 4x4 trails in the summer. That is the closest to you, but here is the link with a lot of other spots.

http://4wheeldrive.about.com/od/col...aps_GPS_Coordinates_Where_To_Go_4Wheeling.htm

Hope that helps. Have fun.
 
You could also try to find 4 wheeling shops in the area, or some outdoors stores sells map books that explain the trails and rate their difficulty.

I was out there a few years ago and purchased a book and it was very helpful. I have a stock Silverado and was able to ride a trail that was a 3. I would imagine that your 4Runner would be able to handle that much.

Have fun......:D
 
RonMAIDEN turned me on to this website. Good list of trails and information with user ratings and reviews.

http://www.traildamage.com/

I've been on a couple of trails outside of Breckenridge with my old, stock Grand Cherokee. Breckenridge is about 20 minutes from Copper Mountain.

You take CO-9 for about 8 miles from I-70 towards Breckenridge. A couple of miles before Breckenridge you turn left on Tiger Rd. (It's a stop light). You take Tiger Rd. past the golf course for a couple of miles until the road turns to dirt. You stay on that for another couple of miles next to the river bed then the road splits. If you vear to the left you can take a couple of trails, one leads up past an old mining hut to the Continental Divide. If you stay to your right, you should be able to go up Georgia Pass to the Continental Divide. Bring some O2. ;):

Hopefully that doesn't get you lost. It's pretty hard to get lost because you can always turn around and get back to where you came from.

Have fun! Post some pics when you get back!
 
Woah! thanks guys!! I will defiantly take pics of my 4Runner, maybe it can be T4R of the month? ;)
Anyways, I was worried that my 4Runner in its stock condition cannot handle any trail greater than a 1 because most of the 4Runners here are all modded with lifts, spacers, brush guards, and all sorts of nice stuff :) But thanks again everyone!!! Does anyone have any suggestions in general and things to bring for this road trip?
 
ptung07 said:
I was worried that my 4Runner in its stock condition cannot handle any trail greater than a 1 because most of the 4Runners here are all modded with lifts, spacers, brush guards, and all sorts of nice stuff :) Does anyone have any suggestions in general and things to bring for this road trip?
Click to expand...

Nothing modded on my 4runner either (or on my Jeep GC that I just traded) so you should be fine. The trails I mentioned were pretty rocky and I bottomed out a couple times on small/medium size rocks but nothing that would cause and serious damage. I was followed by one of my friends in his stock Xterra and he said he didn't bottom out once. stock GC's just have sh!tty ground clearance to begin with. You should be fine with your stock 4runner.

I would just bring some basics with you like food, water, flashlight, letherman or some kind of tools, etc. I bring a backpack with me with some of those things as well as engine oil, gear oil, tranny fluid etc. A tow strap is never a bad thing to bring either. People with a little more experience will probably have some better suggestions.
 
Mosquito Pass

If you're staying at Copper Mountain, you could easily take Hwy 91 south to Leadville and then head up over Mosquito Pass (check it out on the Traildamage.com website). I think most of the snow is gone by now (can anyone verify this?). There's some cool old mines along the way and the scenery is pretty cool. Keep in mind that most of the old mines are private property so I don't recommend going inside and climbing around (not to mention that some of them are more than 100 years old).

If you have a chance when you drive through Denver, stop at REI and pick up a National Geographic topo map for the area around Copper. They're pretty decent in showing the roads, passes, and trails. Certainly not 4x4 style maps but they'll get you started.

Take lots of pics and enjoy!
 
Koz said:
http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Colorado-Backroads-4-Wheel-Trails/dp/0966497600

Koz
Click to expand...

That is the exact book I bought.....they sell different versions that have the state broken down into sections.

As for what to bring, the items GIG said are good along with a cell phone, CB radio (if possible), GPS (if possible), tools are a must, plenty of water, warm clothes, blanket, saw, matches or lighter, items to start a fire if needed. Think of thing you would need if you got stuck and needed to stay there for a night.

But if you careful and take your time, you should make it home safely and with no broken parts....:biggrin2:
 
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