Question for those in Colorado

[killallninjas]

Dispersed Camping

Is dispersed camping pretty easy to come by in this area? I've found a lot of talk about along South Mineral Creek. Any other areas to check?

 

[Jeremy556]

Is dispersed camping pretty easy to come by in this area?

Yes, very. Best way to camp out here.

 

[Gunslinger-13]

Enjoy. Beautiful area that time of year.

Yep, there are more dispersed/primitive campsite in Colorado than there are houses...

Just find a dirt road, travel as far as you care to go and find a good spot. Be aware of private property signs.

Have fun on your trip and clean up the site so it looks better than when you got there, please! Too many folks leave campsites a mess out here and it is disgusting and rude.

 

[HOJeepster]

Thanks for the tip. It's good stuff to know. I've decided on middle September, though.

Agreed, better yet, just stay out of Colorado all together

This past weekend at 10k elevation:

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Yep, there are more dispersed/primitive campsite in Colorado than there are houses...

Just find a dirt road, travel as far as you care to go and find a good spot. Be aware of private property signs.

Have fun on your trip and clean up the site so it looks better than when you got there, please! Too many folks leave campsites a mess out here and it is disgusting and rude.

The amount of bud light cans, cigarette butts, and Cheetos bags in the more heavily traveled areas really makes me feel like I'm back in Baltimore sometimes.

 

[killallninjas]

Yep, there are more dispersed/primitive campsite in Colorado than there are houses...

Just find a dirt road, travel as far as you care to go and find a good spot. Be aware of private property signs.

Have fun on your trip and clean up the site so it looks better than when you got there, please! Too many folks leave campsites a mess out here and it is disgusting and rude.

Thanks. Will Do. Unfortunately, not cleaning up seems to be happening everywhere. I always carry out more than I bring in.

 

[atalarico]

Yeah, sounds like you're the kind we like having visit then! It blows my mind that people think it's OK to just leave trash and litter around, whether they're born and raised here or are just visiting.

Even as a person who really enjoys target shooting in the backcountry, I am amazed at how many people don't clean up their shell casings, clay pigeons, and targets.

Sigh. I guess we're just weirdos who like keeping the wilderness pristine.

 

[Powder_Hound]

Agreed, better yet, just stay out of Colorado all together

This past weekend at 10k elevation:

Oops!!! WOW! I was at 12,000 and didn't see any of the white stuff?!?!?!?

 

[HOJeepster]

Oops!!! WOW! I was at 12,000 and didn't see any of the white stuff?!?!?!?

This was in Wyoming, but Webster Pass was snow covered at 10,200 feet last weekend. I think the Alpine Loop gets plowed by now in fact.

 

[knomadic]

Have to agree with others who have said the weather will be better in September for camping. But if you're prepared for it, it's less crowded and still beautiful later in the fall. But, yea, you could get dumped on.

 

[Jeremy556]

This was in Wyoming, but Webster Pass was snow covered at 10,200 feet last weekend. I think the Alpine Loop gets plowed by now in fact.

Depends a lot on shade. The Alpine loop was plowed and open a month ago. These pics are from 5/14

 

[dogojoe96]

This was the top of engineer pass on 7/2 the next day there was not a cloud in sight.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bob22222]

More Evacuations Pending For Wildfire Near Nederland « CBS Denver
Yes conditions here in Colorado, have changed. Smoky says if you come be careful with your fires. These guys, if found guilty, will likely do time .

 

[Twan]

It's close enough that I've noticed ash falling at my house and the entire area smells like a camp fire. Hopefully they get it under control soon.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

We were getting the same from the North Park fire, but that has stopped for now despite the fact that it will probably burn until October.

 

[atalarico]

Sigh, yeah, we got lucky last year, but it's official since the venerable Denver Post has their "Colorado Wildfires" section on their site back up again. Meaning, there are enough active wildfires to warrant a section...

Colorado wildfire news, warnings, maps, help |The Denver Post

Be safe out there, all. Yes, huge PSA to out-of-state visitors...PUT OUT YOUR FREAKIN' CAMPFIRES...COMPLETELY. Although at this point, there are fire-bans posted in I think most, if not all, national forests, so no fires allowed now except camp-stoves.

 

[atalarico]

You ever go camping with a new group of guys and have to have that awkward conversation about cleaning up their crap? Seriously blows my mind sometimes.

Yes! It's so tough to do it in a way where they won't just do it because they know you'll be "annoying" about it if they don't and so they'll pick up even when you're not around. You know, because, it's the right thing to do.

I will say I've noticed it happening less in the past few years, so the few times it does it really stands out. Hoping that's a trend that keeps going!

 

[CO4running]

Is dispersed camping pretty easy to come by in this area? I've found a lot of talk about along South Mineral Creek. Any other areas to check?

If you end up staying in this area you should make the quick 4 mile or so trip up to Clear Lake. My family and I were up there 7/22 and it was great.

 

[atalarico]

Just wanted to report that half moon creek is a bit...monsoony right now. Whew! https://vimeo.com/177184791

The puddles are fun, but the water crossings got deep and we had to cut our camping/climbing trip short by a day. I was too worried they would be too deep to get back out and they almost were. Water kissed the bottom of the chrome on my bumper.

 

[Bob22222]

A good site for Colorado Mountian Pass Trails current condition reports.
Don't be scared off by the "j" word.
Bushducks - Jeep Trail and Backroads Trip Reports<BR>Colorado Jeep Trails and Passes - Opening Dates
Sorry if this is redundant.