I'm in. Sounds like a good time and any trail is fine with me. The Rainbow Falls area as well as China Wall tend to get less snow than many other parts of the Rocky Mountain area. It's at a lower elevation than many trails and it just doesn't get that much comparable precipitation. That's likely going to be the best bet this time of the year.
I love the idea of campfire cooking. That makes the trip halfway worth it right there.
For those of you that don't have a CB radio yet. It's one of the best things you can invest in as a wheeler. (If you already have a CB then skip to the next section because you already know how great they are) You can pick up a new CB radio, antenna, and cable for under $200 and this is a mod where spending more money really doesn't get you much more than a base unit will already provide. If you are new to wheeling it can save you from making a costly mistake. Radios are faster and have a much better range than a guy trying to yell at you through your rolled up window or a horn honk that you are not sure what it means. It also helps to get questions answered and is far more fun since you will be part of the conversation from the meet up to saying thanks for the great day of wheeling. If you don't have a CB radio you miss out on the jokes, the talk about new mods, proven mods, new ideas of mods to come, good trails to run, ones that have changed recently, great snow bashing, great rock crawling, great camping, superb scenery. Without a a CB you also are left wondering what is going on as the rest of the group is talking about what is happening at the lead of the trail. You'll miss out on areas of the trail to watch out for. Slick spots, wash out, hidden rocks in the snow, guys sliding backward around the blind corner to your rig. Are you getting the picture? CBs are not just for redneck truckers. Although we'll no doubt pick up on some of their chatter with their ridiculously overpowered radios. IMHO if you do no other Mod the CB is still the best bang for the buck. If you want help with getting the right stuff for your CB post up. There's plenty of help out there. Of course since everyone already knows about the search feature there's also a ton of stuff already posted up
Click Here for links
To make it easy the essentials are:
CB radio - Cobra, Midland, and Uniden are a few good brands
Antenna - Firestik and Wilson area a couple of good brands
Antenna mount - get the same brand as your antenna
18' of antenna cable - Get the same brand as your antenna. You can get 9' also but it's normally too short.
You should try and get the antenna in a length that lets at least 3' of the antenna go above the rig. Avoid mounting the antenna on the top middle of your roof. It works well for range but in Colorado the branches are low and it will tend to break your antenna mount. Mag mount antennas work well if you don't want to fuss with a permanent installation. You can also get CBs that plug into the cigarette power port so you don't even have to wire it in.
If you really want to make it easy you just need these two things:
Midland CB $71
Cobra Mag antenna $27
For under a $100 you will have a trail worthy CB. I have that exact Midland and use it as a hand held when scouting the trail and as a backup unit. It's a great little unit.
THE SKIP TO SECTION FOR THOSE THAT ALREADY HAVE CB RADIOS.
The below trails are normally open all year long. By open I mean they are not gated. It doesn't mean that the trails are necessarily completable.
Rainbow Falls Area:
Illinois Gulch
Missouri Gulch
Metberry Gulch - Was clear all the way to the Platte River as of Jan 15th, 2012
Longwater Gulch
Hackett Gulch
Jefferson area off of hwy 285:
China Wall
Michigan Creek
I-70 Corridor
Yankee Hill
Bald Mtn
Apex Rd
Kingston Peak
Argentine Pass
Geneva Creek
Mount Democrat/Republican
West Boulder Area.
Bunce School Road
Left Hand Canyon
Iron Clads
Dakan Rd normally doesn't open until April 1st or when conditions allow.