Flat Tops Area

[paflytyer]

This is a little closer to your neighborhood than ours....

I'm looking at taking the family to the Flat Tops this summer. Maybe just an overnighter or two. Trying to get some info on Transfer Trail, Grizzly Jeep Trail, White Owl Lake and Adams Lake.

Seems like there's plenty to do. Exploring the spur roads, fishing, hiking, wildflowers.....

The wheeling is really secondary to the scenery and fishing for my wife and kids and it looks like the trails are pretty mild.

Jonathan, I'm guessing you've taken the girls up there? We can talk via phone/email.

Anyone input?

Stan
Rising Sun 4x4 Club

 

[RyanR]

Several of us live in Glenwood Springs, and surrounding areas so we know the area well. There is some decent wheeling to be found but there is an abundance of scenery. It is a well traveled area so if you setup camp right next to a lake expect to have 4x4's, dirtbikes, quads, mtn bikers and hikers through your site all day. If you take some of the spurs and get off the beaten path a bit you can certainly find some solitude and privacy.

Transfer Trail is fun and the scenery as you drive up is amazing but I would encourage you not to take this route. It is probably the most highly utilized access road and expect traffic. It is also very narrow most of the way so trail pinstriping and perhaps some impatient people on bikes and quads are part of the game. There are many large water bars and a real PITA with a trailer.

In my humble opinion Coffee Pot or Elk Creek are much better access roads for full sized vehicles. you won't be holding up others and the roads are wide enough to accommodate a trailer and let faster moving vehicles pass without losing your mirrors.

Coffee Pot to Grizzly Jeep Trail to White Owl Lake trail covers a good variety of scenery and gets you to some fun wheeling. Nothing difficult but you get a nice variety of dirt, mud and rocks. You can spot at the Grizzly Cow Camp (You'll see a few buildings) and hike out to the edge of the cliff and check out the waterfall.

 

[jonharis]

The Flat Tops are closed.

OK, Just kidding....

We stayed at Adams Lake last June and I hope to again this summer. Great scenic mountain lake with lots of rocks to throw. Nice mildly technical drive into it. We went up coffee pot and down transfer. Great scenery. Reminds me of the closer to GJ, Grand Mesa but with fewer trees and people.

There is a great Trails Illustrated map for the area.

 

[alpendubber]

Great area! I have spent a lot of time up there. Not to hijack but I would like to set up a club trip to Derby Mesa the last weekend of June. Let me know if there is any interest.

 

[jonharis]

Great area! I have spent a lot of time up there. Not to hijack but I would like to set up a club trip to Derby Mesa the last weekend of June. Let me know if there is any interest.

Start a Thread up! I've never been up there and if the stars align, I'd like to make it up. I am planning on camping on the 21st-23rd and have not decided on a location yet....

 

[paflytyer]

Great area! I have spent a lot of time up there. Not to hijack but I would like to set up a club trip to Derby Mesa the last weekend of June. Let me know if there is any interest.

If the Gunny is blown out, I could be in too. What's the snowpack like? We're still getting some freezing temps and snow up high here on the front range. It will be July before a lot of high trails are accessible. There are some alpine lakes in the area that might be fishable too!

 

[Alan "Ace" Brown]

I have been to the Flattops several times but only in the fall. I would expect the Mosquitos to be bad up there just like Grand Mesa is until into August. Lots of lakes = lots of skeeters.

 

[paflytyer]

I have been to the Flattops several times but only in the fall. I would expect the Mosquitos to be bad up there just like Grand Mesa is until into August. Lots of lakes = lots of skeeters.

That's good info, Ace! Thanks.