Wheeling around Chama

[SteveLCetc]

Anybody know of some good (moderate to moderate hard, say Moab 3-4?) wheeling around Chama? Something to get really high up, or some other interesting destinations? We have some family coming into town in about a month and would like to get up and out of town.



Thanks...

[DanS HJ-45]

Steve:

Elwood Pass is probably in that range at the moment, especially since you have to go both down and back up (the exit towards Pagosa is closed due to a rockslide). At the top of Elwood Pass is Summitville and there's a lot of dirt FS roads and some cool stuff to check out (you're pretty much AT treeline). I'm pretty sure there's some wheeling to be had, but I haven't done it. Be forewarned that Elwood Pass is the northern boundary of the South San Juan Wilderness, so there's a pretty big area closed to wheeled vehicles. It's also the last spotting of a Grizzly in Colorado (1985) in that area, so be a bit careful. Game and Fish have seen Grizzly sign as recently as two years ago.

There's supposed to be a suitable trail that goes pretty much directly between Cumbres Pass and Osier as well. I have not driven that.

The road to Osier (pretty much from Antonito) is easy. That's the one I did last fall in the 40. But beautiful. If you don't see much in the way of wheeling, chasing the train is pretty fun.

I said I was going to scan some maps last fall for that area didn't I? I'll try tomorrow to find them.

Dan

[DirtyHarry]

There are great trails in Abiquiu, not too far from Chama.

[SteveLCetc]

Scans of the maps would be great Dan. As far as Abiquiu, there might be some unlocked heeps so wouldn't want to get too difficult and *do* want some scenery, so up higher on easier trails might be better.