April 27th Run - Shelf Road area

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

That's a good question. I took a road trip to see the family in milliken last weekend, tried to do some wheeling, but there's a whole lot of stuff still snowed in. Going to have to go south. I picked up a map for the Texas creek area while I was at the ATV place the other day, I've always heard the area was closed. Curious to know what's out there. Nothing listed on traildamage.com. Anyone know the scoop on that area? I'm sure there's nothing very challenging out there, but thought it might be fun to head over shelf road and down into canon city, then north to Texas creek.
 
Sounds good to me. I've been wanting to get down to that area (Shelf Road, Phantom Canyon, Canon City).

If there are no objections, I'd also ask that we go out the weekend of the 27th. Jess is off that weekend and after she saw the Swell pics, she really wants to get out for some dirt cruising.

What do the rest of you guys think? Sound like a plan?
 
Last edited:
THats my old stomping grounds! I grew up in Canon and taught myself to drive dirt on Shelf Road. The is a little know back way From the south end of Shelf west to the Royal Gorge area, mostly double track rolling path. It also goes through Red Canyon Park (think mini/remote garden of the gods without gawking tourists and crowded lots) which would be great for lunch since they have a pit toilet and picnic tables with BBQ grills. I can look up some options if that sounds agreeable to everyone.
 
Sounds like an interesting trip. No way I can do 27th, spring lacrosse season for my daughter. 20th is the only option for me this month, maybe I'll try to think of an option and post under another thread.
 
Count my Wife and I for the Shelf Road on the 27th. Might even be able to bring along my 5 yo granddaughter.
 
What are we thinking for a meeting point? West in woodland then down to cripple creek, or south on Nevada and head up to canon then home through cripple creek? Suggestions on time?
 
Kyle, what I think we were planning was to start up north and make Canon the halfway point. I've found shelf to be more scenic going south and phantom is nicer going north. Also I was kicking around the idea of a backroad cutoff from shelf to up by the royal gorge that would bypass Canon altogether. Thought I would present a few different options at the meeting and taylor it to the group, kids, interests, etc. Will you be able to make the meeting?
 
It doesn't matter to me either way. I could see the springs group heading down 115 to canon, then run Texas creek, and wind our way back through canon and home on shelf road.
Or meeting in woodland and going to cripple creek and down shelf road, then Texas creek in canon. I really do prefer to run shelf road from cripple creek south to canon, maybe even coming back shelf road as phantom canyon is a little on the bland side except for the bridges, and is a bit washboard-y.
 
I've heard rumors of a side road off shelf that takes you to a canyon area, or picnic area, or something like that. Ryan if you know where that is, then going to cripple creek and down definitely gets my vote.

I will have a grill that anyone is welcome to use, and I have the club air tank as well.
 
Last edited:
Luke, you might be thinking of red canyon park. That is what I was thinking of for a lunch stop. There are also lots of rock formations to climb on and pit toilets for those who need them. If anyone has kids who are into dinosaurs, Garden Park is just south of there a few miles and is one of the first dinosaur dig sites on Colorado. This would be a great family run as there aren't any large obstacles to congregate around. Texas creek is new to me and seems to be billed as an ATV area but I guess there are some scenic full size trails as well. It will be about 30 mi. Further west than canyon if timing allows.
 
I'm not picky about what you bring. I usually bring some kind of sausage, hot dogs, or bratwurst because its convenient. Hamburgers are fine. Chicken usually takes forever to cook full, so I'd avoid that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom