Family cruiser trip from Norcal to boulder,CO-next week-need your suggestions!

[sethro]

Hello there cruiser collective!

Loading up the HZT62 with the family, the mountain bikes and heading out to see relatives in Boulder, CO next week. Got about 10-12 days, looking for suggestions on trails/stuff/camping not to miss.

Wife and 8 year old son are new to mountain biking, hoping to hit some scenic (and not too tough) trails for fun, some light wheeling, camp in some cool spots (we have an xl maggiolina and are veteran cruiser campers) and see some stuff. Going to have to avoid Nat'l parks since our old dog will be with us.

I had originally planned on making this trip in early spring so we could take a more southern/desert-ey route and avoid the summer heat, but life has a way of getting in the way...so-here we are. Maybe a more northern/higher elevation route? I definitely don't want to just drone out on I80 all the way out...

People have suggested Fruita,CO and Park City, UT for being fun MTB destinations...years ago we drove right by Hells Backbone Grill in Boulder,UT on a wheeling trip from the Bay Area to Moab and we have never forgiven ourselves-definitely going to plan a stop there this trip...we are complete food/coffee nerds/snobs, so factor in that to your recommendations too!

Open to suggestions, looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks in advance!


cool,

seth
sonoma,ca

 

[Jason hansen]

Heat will be a problem, better to stop at the higher elevations. I looked at the weather channel and it said it was going to be 106 in moab the Tuesday after next.

 

[dcx13]

Park City has tons of groomed trails for all abilities. There's a great network of xc trails that are accessible by riding up from the main lodge, or by taking the lift. There's also the Historic Union Pacific Trail, that runs from the middle of PC out to Coalville. It starts as a paved path as it heads through/out of town, winds across the open fields on the edge of town, then down along the river canyon that parallels the highway. Nothing really technical, but definitely worth doing just for the history alone.

If you're looking for something a tad more technical, but not "OMG I'm gonna die!" for the family, Heil Ranch in Boulder is a great spot. Well laid out, maintained without being dumbed down, nothing that a new rider couldn't handle but not so tame that an experienced rider would be bored.

Fruita is AMAZING!!! But, as previously stated, heat will be an issue. If you go, go early and bring plenty of water. "Lunch Loops" is a popular trail network, and the Kokopelli trails system starts not far from town. As incredible as it is, it may be far more than the family wants to try and tackle. Plenty of opportunity for injuries, even for the experienced rider (that last drop on Horse Thief is an ambulance ride for sure!)

I'll be wrapping up/heading back to SF on the 18/19th, so we may cross paths. Either way, the white FZJ with snorkel, tent, General Red Labels, and 2 bikes on the back is me.