Up for some exploration this weekend?

nensha · 09-21-06, 09:32 AM

Anyone interested in doing some exploration around Rampart Range this weekend? There's a couple of trails in the Rainbow Falls area that I'm looking to explore on Sunday (although I could be talked into Saturday). Just thought the weather will be nicer on Sunday.

None of the trails are that difficult (though they might be more challenging than normal because of the recent weather). One of the trails does have a couple of 18-24" rock ledges (with a by-pass).

I'm open to meeting places depending on where everyone comes from (I'm on the way south end of town). I was thinking either the Western by Woodland Park or at the intersection of Rampart Range Rd. and Mount Herman Rd. Oh yeah, I was planning on something like 9:00 a.m. for a meeting time.

So anyone interested? There's a slight possibility that we might see some of that white stuff.

Man Jerk · 09-21-06, 01:16 PM

I might be up for it on Saturday. If it's too cold I may opt out as my heater is on the fritz.

Isotel · 09-21-06, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Jerk

I might be up for it on Saturday. If it's too cold I may opt out as my heater is on the fritz.

Baby

i dont even have a top!

i need to put that sucker on soon

ill think it over.. i was thinking somthing a little more challenging..

nensha · 09-21-06, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotel

ill think it over.. i was thinking somthing a little more challenging..

I know a trail that I'd love to see someone attempt. The last time that I was on it, I'd swear that I was about a half a degree from flopping my truck (and that was in the snow). It is a designated trail and it probably much worse than the last time that I saw it.

Man Jerk · 09-21-06, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotel

Baby

i dont even have a top!

i need to put that sucker on soon

ill think it over.. i was thinking somthing a little more challenging..

What did you have in mind?

Isotel · 09-21-06, 09:32 PM

ok, id like to cheack that out.. i havent been to rampart in a while.. What day?

sunday looks nicer.. http://www.weather.com/weather/tenda...ink_undeclared

nensha · 09-21-06, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotel

sunday looks nicer.. http://www.weather.com/weather/tenda...ink_undeclared

That's what I thought too. But Mark is wanting Saturday.

Man Jerk · 09-21-06, 09:52 PM

Jeez, odd man out eh..

I'll see if I can make sunday.

Hants · 09-22-06, 05:59 AM

I'd be interested... have to do a Mother-May-I, though.

If so, Mt Herman & Rampart Range would work great for me (I'm basically in Monument).

Hants · 09-22-06, 03:15 PM

Sorry, guys, I'm out.... :( I just remembered I don't have a spare right now... and I have family committments in the afternoon.

Next time...

Isotel · 09-22-06, 03:38 PM

hmm.. whats the easiest way to get to the trail.. Ive only been in the Woodland Park side..

looks like i gota either put on the Hardtop of Bundle up!

Plan a time to meet and a place.. Me and my roomate will try and make it!

Man Jerk · 09-22-06, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hants

Sorry, guys, I'm out.... :( I just remembered I don't have a spare right now... and I have family committments in the afternoon.

Next time...

Gee, I've got 3 6 lug rims with bald tires sitting in the garage right now. Work good as spares

I'm in for Sunday for sure. I live right off of 24 next to Manitou if anyone wants to meet here. Otherwise any other place is fine by me.

2badfjs · 09-22-06, 05:27 PM

you guys goin to the southside of rampart?

is this anywhere near the Dakar trail?

Isotel · 09-22-06, 05:30 PM

im not sure about that trail.. i dont know rampart at all!!..

Whats the trail like Jim??
Wanta go..

Yea we should meet at marks.. Time?? Sunday

2badfjs · 09-22-06, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotel

im not sure about that trail.. i dont know rampart at all!!..

Whats the trail like Jim??
Wanta go..

Yea we should meet at marks.. Time?? Sunday

yea, what time?
my mornings are taken on sunday.i may be able to make it late in the morning
the afternoon works best for me

why yes, yes i do want to go

nensha · 09-22-06, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2badfjs

is this anywhere near the Dakar trail?

I think you mean Dakan Rd.

The area that I was planning on exploring is several miles south of Dakan. Although, there is a road that gets pretty close to Dakan.

nensha · 09-22-06, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isotel

im not sure about that trail.. i dont know rampart at all!!..

Whats the trail like Jim??
Wanta go..

Yea we should meet at marks.. Time?? Sunday

The normal meeting place the club uses for trips heading up this way is the Western Gas Station just before Woodland Park.

If we want to meet at Mark's, I will need an address or directions since I have no idea where he lives.

Dakan Road really isn't that interesting (at least the last time that I was on it). It is maintained by a motorcycle organization. What is more interesting is the Hidden Valley Road that connects to Dakan. Although, Dakan Road does have an overlook with a spectacular view of the Larkspur area. Dakan Road is a way to get from Rampart Range Rd. to Castle Rock, and travel on Dakan is not permitted after dark.

Man Jerk · 09-22-06, 10:42 PM

Woodland park is fine with me for meeting up. Would we be hitting the trail up there or on the south end at garden of the gods?

Here is some good trail info

Rampart range http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=154
Dakan Road http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=152
Long hollow http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=153
Winding stairs (this one looks cool) http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=153

Man Jerk · 09-22-06, 10:44 PM

What time are you busy until Jim? I'm sure we could coordinate some kind of rendevous to hook up with you. I'm cool with some easy wheeling, but some hard obstacles thrown in would be fun!

What is your guys preferred type of communication? CB or FRS? My CB isn't hooked up, but I have a couple of FRS radios at my disposal.

2badfjs · 09-22-06, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nensha

The normal meeting place the club uses for trips heading up this way is the Western Gas Station just before Woodland Park.

If we want to meet at Mark's, I will need an address or directions since I have no idea where he lives.

Dakan Road really isn't that interesting (at least the last time that I was on it). It is maintained by a motorcycle organization. What is more interesting is the Hidden Valley Road that connects to Dakan. Although, Dakan Road does have an overlook with a spectacular view of the Larkspur area. Dakan Road is a way to get from Rampart Range Rd. to Castle Rock, and travel on Dakan is not permitted after dark.

oops, we did a night run up there this summer.
why can't you run Dakan at night? you can camp up there.

i'll see whats up, i probably could'nt get that way till 1pm or so.
i should probably work and get some things done (i'm a bit behind right now)

nensha · 09-23-06, 07:58 AM

Rampart range
...is just a graded road (well sorta, there's a LOT of washboard sections) that is great to connect to all the smaller Forestry roads.

Dakan Road and Long hollow
...these two connect Rampart Range with Hwy 15 by Castle Rock. Long Hollow is the more interesting of the two with a some times deep creek crossing at one end (I had water come over my hood once).

Winding stairs (this one looks cool)
...I'm pretty sure that this one is actually closed. There was a recent discussion about this trail at www.colorado4x4.org (it appears to be down right now). The last time that I looked at the connecting intersection at the top of the trail, it looked like the Forestry had removed signed and tried to block the trail. I

I wouldn't mind checking out the start of the trail from the Rampart side to see what's going on.

nensha · 09-23-06, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2badfjs

oops, we did a night run up there this summer.
why can't you run Dakan at night? you can camp up there.

Yeah, I didn't notice the sign saying no night travel until I was driving back down Dakan in the dark. I'm not sure way the signs are up. It could be an agreement between the motorcycle group and the Forestry since most dirt bikes don't have lights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2badfjs

i'll see whats up, i probably could'nt get that way till 1pm or so.
i should probably work and get some things done (i'm a bit behind right now)

Well, if you know how to get to Rampart Range Road, we could see about setting up some place to meet you. Do you have a CB?

nensha · 09-23-06, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Jerk

What is your guys preferred type of communication? CB or FRS? My CB isn't hooked up, but I have a couple of FRS radios at my disposal.

The club normally uses CB radios. Well, at least if most people have them. I've been on a run or two where the leader's radio or mic was broken. So we did things the old fashioned way--stop the trucks, get out and talk face-to-face.

I suppose if we are going to set up a meeting place with 2badfjs, we should probably pick a CB channel here. Normally the club uses 4; however, with my radio I usually pick up all the other wheelers (and farmers) in the area.

nensha · 09-23-06, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Jerk

Woodland park is fine with me for meeting up. Would we be hitting the trail up there or on the south end at garden of the gods?

Ooopsss! Just remembered that I forgot to answer this.

I was planning on hitting the trail about 10 miles north of Woodland Park. The area is called Rainbow Falls and is on the west side of Rampart Range. I am open to other ideas in the area and heading south.

Man Jerk · 09-23-06, 09:50 AM

I don't know the area so I'm counting on you guys.

2badfjs · 09-23-06, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nensha

Yeah, I didn't notice the sign saying no night travel until I was driving back down Dakan in the dark. I'm not sure way the signs are up. It could be an agreement between the motorcycle group and the Forestry since most dirt bikes don't have lights.

Well, if you know how to get to Rampart Range Road, we could see about setting up some place to meet you. Do you have a CB?

i'll have to try to dig up a map today and see whats up.
we usually go up jackson creek road outside of castle rock and drop in from there.
i'm kinda familiar where dakan and rampart range road meet up, but only know how to get there from dakan

lookin at a map, it looks like jackson creek road will take me right to r/r rd due west of larkspur.

let me know if i need to head south from there

yes i have a cb, not sure of the range it has.

i'll know more later if i'll go, gotta see what i can get done today.

nensha · 09-23-06, 02:22 PM

2badjfs,

Where are you coming from?

2badfjs · 09-23-06, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nensha

2badjfs,

Where are you coming from?

castle rock,

but i've just found out i wont be able to make the run

to much work and not enough $$$

jim

Man Jerk · 09-23-06, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nensha

Ooopsss! Just remembered that I forgot to answer this.

I was planning on hitting the trail about 10 miles north of Woodland Park. The area is called Rainbow Falls and is on the west side of Rampart Range. I am open to other ideas in the area and heading south.

Lets meet in woodland park at the normal meeting spot. I just talked to Trevor and we were kinda thinking 9am.

Why don't you give me a call at 612-269-6327 (haven't switched my cell to a local # yet) and we'll talk about it.

Isotel · 09-23-06, 07:18 PM

cool, don't eat, lets grab some grub at Mc Donalds on the way up.. 9:00 sounds good @ the Western, If your Late, we may be at the Mc Donalds till 9:30 or so