Where to Wheel in So. Co.

[Stouttrout]

Another nationwide Group that I belong to, CJ-8.org, is looking to hold our National event in Southern Colorado or may the New Mexico area. I have been to Colorado once and really want to go back. Awesome area. Last year we had it at Hot Springs. That area was perfect. Here is what we are looking for:

1. The location would need to offer a variety of trails for the stock to built rigs.

2. The location should offer possible attractions and points of interest other than trails for the non-trail riding owners and Family members that may not ride. Things for kids, wives, etc.

3. The location should have both hotels and camping available within a reasonable distance.

Any suggestions? This is a National group and the place would need to be accessible to that.

If you have a suggestion could you please list other things the area has to offer. I would really appreciate any help you can offer.

Dan

 

[YELLAHEEP]

What time of year? That can make a huge difference in choosing between So. Colorado and New Mexico.

The areas of Telluride, Silverton, Ouray offer a great selection of easy to moderate trails with excellent scenery and history. The majority of trails in these areas are within short distances. All 3 towns offer attractions like hot springs, rail road museums, mine tours and the like. Telluride is big on cultural events, music festivals and such. Hotels can be found in Telluride, lots of campgrounds with amenities are near to those areas.

Buena Vista is another good location, but maybe not as south as you might like. Some good hard-core trails along with easy and moderate. A few trails are close to town, but the majority require driving up to an hour to the trailhead. Group runs generally center around Old Chinaman's Gulch trail for moderate rigs, and Carnage Canyon is right next to it which caters to the very hard core rig (gatekeeper obstacle at the entrance, winch out only exit) Hotel selection is very good in town and Chalk Creek Campground / RV park has hosted us for 2 events, an excellent place! Buena Vista doesn't hold a whole lot of attractions, but white water rafting is big out there.

Check out the event forums and look in "Colorado Fest" for specifics as to trails and campground info. You'll also find lots of photo links to get an idea of what to expect on the trails.

Hope this helps!
Troy

 

[Stouttrout]

Big help. We are looking at Mid June. i will need to line up trail guides for the weekend too. I will be in my XJ as my CJ-8 is my Daily/ show jeep. Hope we can get some XJ's to guide

Thanks for all the advice. Searching for Colorado fest now.

 

[Rock Yacht]

Mid June is a bit early for any trails with altitude.

I agree with Troy, BV would be the best all around base camp area. Lots to in a 60 mile radius.

P.S. the other Jeep is a Scram, gotta have a taildragger.

Bob

 

[drifto77]

The areas of Telluride, Silverton, Ouray offer a great selection of easy to moderate trails with excellent scenery and history.

June might be a little early, but here's a link to the area of Telluride/Silverton/Ouray...........
All the trails in this area can be run with a stock 4x4 except Poughkeepsie Gulch.
http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html
(scroll down & click on a trail name for info & pics)

Here is a link for weather & trail conditions...........
http://www.soajeep.com/home.html
(jeep rental & tour place)

I have been to the area the last 2 years in a row and LOVE it! !
Here are some pics if you wanna look.........
July 04
http://www.Photobucket.com/albums/v455/drifto77/
Sep 05
http://photobucket.com/albums/a140/whitecherokee/

 

[Stouttrout]

I live in South East Texas at sea level. Explain why it would be early for a trail with altitude. Thin air or Cold? Also would any mods have to be made to carbed vehicles?

Rock Yacht, You got a Scram? Do you go to the CJ-8.com board? Did you make the Colorado Scramble this year?

 

[YELLAHEEP]

I live in South East Texas at sea level. Explain why it would be early for a trail with altitude. Thin air or Cold? Also would any mods have to be made to carbed vehicles?

Rock Yacht, You got a Scram? Do you go to the CJ-8.com board? Did you make the Colorado Scramble this year?

Colorado gets snow pack that sticks around until mid to late spring. We get most of our snow from January thru April. So, at higher elevations, the snow is deep, heavy and takes quite a while to melt off. Some passes / trails may still be impassable in June. But for a Buena Vista based trip, I'd imagine there'd be more accessible trals since that area is lower in altitude than Telluride/Silverton/Ouray.

Certainly any trip anywhere in Colorado is going rob power from flat-lander vehicles. Thin air combined with carb'd vehicles usually results in colorful words from the driver. Especially on off camber or nose-up obstacles. Do mods have to be made to carb'd vehicles? Not necessarilly but some adjustments to timing and a good flowing air intake will be a big help. Couldn't hurt to swap out the mechanical fuel pump with an electric one as well.

As far as trail guides, I'm sure you'd find plenty of help from us. Just pass on your event dates to us and we all could help with establishing a trail schedule and then add trail guides as needed.

Be sure to have a few people pick up "Guide to Colorado Backroads and 4-wheel Drive Trails" by Charles A. Wells (published by FunTreks, Inc.) His books are absolutely the best guide around and covers alot of necessary information about public land use requirements, camping locations, and each trail has a map with detailed directions. There's two books, Vol 1 and Vol 2. Vol 1 has the information on Southern area trails.

 

[Fred]

Black Bear pass, outside of Ouray, doesn't open until mid-July or August. Sometimes it doesn't open at all due to the snowpack.

Fred

 

[planefixer]

I was wheeling around Silverton and Ouray back in June (21st-26th) and every trail I tried to do was still snowed-in at tree line, although the Alpine Loop was open but thats about it.

 

[Stouttrout]

I passed this info on to the event comittee and think we decided that for this time year we may be looking in the wrong area. I may start looking into Moab. Would anyone like to comment on that .

Dan

 

[YELLAHEEP]

Moab would be a good choice. Mid June will be fairly nice overall for weather. Not too hot yet, and some possibility of rains which will keep the dust and temps down. I've been to Moab in May and it was nice, but the mornings were friggin' cold - frost on everything, but by 9AM, it was beautiful out - until the rain. I spent my very first experience in Moab in July..... REALLY hot and dry.

Anyone will tell you that Moab makes a great location for a National event. Lots to do in town, great restaurants have moved in in the last 3 years. Good and helpful 4X4 shops and two auto parts places that are good about carrying the common 4X4 related parts. Trails are very close to town and there's a very wide variety of hotel, motel and camping choices.

Slick Rock RV / Campground has been the "headquarters" for our national events for the past 5 years and it serves a large group very well.

I hate to turn you away from Colorado, but for an early June event, I think you're better off looking to Moab. Colorado is better suited for July thru November 'wheeling.