Hey CLC I'm planning first offroad trip to Denver Area. Help, Suggestions Please

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krice118

krice118

10 Year
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Hey yall,
I frequent the MS CottonLand Cruisers forum mostly as i go to Ole Miss. Me and some friends are planning a trip to the denver area to do some trails and camp. My rig: 98 uzj100 with rear locker, waiting to install winch, before the trip I plan to throw on OME Torsion bars and rear spacer with OME 865s sitting on Gen Grabber AT2 285s.

My goal is to do some trails to get to great views to camp for the night or 1-2 nights and then go somewhere else to camp! We are into fishing kayaking/canoeing as well. I am hoping to get some suggestions from you on trails to run for a beginner, trails that have camp sites and other cool things you think we should see. I will be traveling from St. Louis to denver area. I would like to go to ouray but the extra distance might kill it.

Thanks,
Kyle

LCsunset SARDIS.webp
 
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A good source/document for Colorado trails is the book by Charles Wells, "Colorado Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails".

You can buy the paperback version at the authors' website, funtreks.com, or use the GPS waypoints (free download) from that site. Link to funtreks waypoints: http://www.funtreks.com/suv-4x4-book-waypoint-downloads/free-gps-waypoint-downloads

Websites and forums will provide some detailed info on trails, too. For example, traildamage.com provides trail-head maps and trail descriptions (categories/ratings) with photos. http://www.traildamage.com/google_colorado.php
 
Good info from SAS above - you might also check with the Rising Sun club in Denver. We're in Colorado Springs, about an hour south of Denver - Rising Sun will probably have better advice for Denver area trails.
 
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thanks guys. wouldnt mind a drive through Colorado Springs. Am looking to work/live in Denver/CO Springs area after graduation.
 
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Depending on when you come, I'd suggest Red Cone. It's gonna give you an amazing view from the top and it's a fun, but not too difficult trail. Later in the season is best due to snow. It's southwest of Denver, but definitely worth the drive.
 
Your trails are limitless and amazing out here...pretty much you can't go wrong. A lot depends on the time of year you'll be here. June is still pretty limited in the high country, but July-Aug are awesome! Ouray is worth the extra miles...from Springs its about 5.5 hours. There are some trails you can take to cut the distance...but time is about the same. If we know dates you'll be out, we may be out ourselves playing on the trails!
 
What type of fishing are you looking for? Lots of great water near here.
 
We are planning for July thru early august! i will know for sure dates in May.
Honestly looking for a trail with place to camp where we can fish also! any fishing would be amazing. We are so land locked in St. Louis I can wait to get out to CO
 
@Hillhippy haha! IF you want to to swim in that thing close to East St. Louis be my guest!

We are 12hours from any beach south or east. 12-14 from the mountains. Not how I want to live the rest of my life when I could be an hour from the mountains, 8 hours from Jackson Hole- that is gods country
 
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krice118 said:
Hey yall,
I frequent the MS CottonLand Cruisers forum mostly as i go to Ole Miss. Me and some friends are planning a trip to the denver area to do some trails and camp. My rig: 98 uzj100 with rear locker, waiting to install winch, before the trip I plan to throw on OME Torsion bars and rear spacer with OME 865s sitting on Gen Grabber AT2 285s.

My goal is to do some trails to get to great views to camp for the night or 1-2 nights and then go somewhere else to camp! We are into fishing kayaking/canoeing as well. I am hoping to get some suggestions from you on trails to run for a beginner, trails that have camp sites and other cool things you think we should see. I will be traveling from St. Louis to denver area. I would like to go to ouray but the extra distance might kill it.

Thanks,
Kyle
Click to expand...
Hi Kyle, When are you planning to come out to Colorado. With snow in the high country trail recommendations will sometimes depend on the time of year you plan on wheeling. Ouray area passes in the San Juan Mountains open up end of June. Check out some books and website to get an idea of which trails you might want to take. One of the best book is
Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails by Charles Wells. You can purchase on Amazon. A good website is http://www.traildamage.com.
 
I know the experience you are looking for. Some of the high lake trails around Buena Vista could give you that experience such as Grizzly or Papoose Lakes. There are some others in the area as well. Fish will be on the small side. Given the below average snow pack this year I suspect the trails may open bit early this year unless we get some storms in the next couple of weeks.

If you want to take a day and concentrate on fishing and not mix in the wheeling there are some great waters such as Arkansas River, Antero, Spinney Reservoirs and close to the Springs are South and North Catamount reservoirs where you could take your canoe, great views. Rampart is an option as well. Rocky Mountain Natl. Park has some decent waters as well from what I understand up north of Denver. These are just a staring point, there are some other trophy waters but unless you are a skilled fly fisherman I wouldn't try those on this trip, big but finicky fish.

I like it all, depends on the experience I am looking for. Local fly shops can get you dialed in on the particulars of what is going on at the time.

Speaking of Jackson Hole



fish Jenny Lake Anniv trip.webp



Just reread your original post about beginner trails, may want to elaborate as to your skill/comfort level.

Alpine tunnel is cool and easy.
 
Thanks for all the responses!
I think I am going to try to get registered for 100sinthe Hills!
 
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