Blazer Forum Colorado Summer 2010 Trip
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 365
From: Internet Tube 375B429Niner
I will be driving 12 hrs to get there!
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 365
From: Internet Tube 375B429Niner
FYI for those interested
The majority of the trails I am considering are actually old mule trails, livestock trails, wagon roads, and railroad beds which run through the Rocky Mountains. Most were originally built between 1850 and 1900 as a means to access the mineral deposits and newly staked mining claims in the mountains. Almost 100% of the trails lead to old abandoned Gold, Silver, and precious metal/gemstone mines. (Why else would you build a road to the top of the world?) The trails/roads usually begin at an elevation of 8,000-9,000 feet and travel as high as 13,500 feet. (There are a couple of existing roads to the top of what is affectionately known as 14ers, which are 14,000 foot mountains.)
They usually start from a small town, ghost town, or mouth of a valley and travel up to the mines, past the tree line (about 12000 feet, where there is not enough oxygen for the trees to grow), then over a high alpine pass, saddle, or ridge to drop into the 'next valley over'. STEEP ledge drop offs (AKA shelf roads), hairpin switchbacks, stream and river crossings, and of course ROCKS should be expected. The black and white photo above is an EXTREME example in ONE WAY ONLY, the width of the road. You should be made aware, however, that most shelf roads like it are only about 1.5-2.5 feet WIDER than that. Plenty of room, but if you are weak stomached you will likely be getting out to walk a stretch! You can expect to back up to a safe area if encountering opposing traffic on a narrow section such as this. (Uphill traffic has the right of way)
Though established National Forest Campgrounds are present at lower elevations, I prefer to make my own campsite up the road, or rediscover a site long forgotten. It's the explorer in me! There are plenty of places to make camp along these trails and roads, even with a larger group. (There are restrictions to party size however it should not be a problem) Waterfalls, mountains, mining cabins and ruins make a great backdrop.
As far as weather is concerned, you can almost bet on a 3:00-3:15 rain shower before the sun comes back out. Temperatures can range from 80+ to as low as you would like it to be. . I personally have been snowed out on July 4th at 11,000 feet, forcing our trek back out of the sticks (It was a family and friends backpacking trip and some families were too cold!). The temp can change very quickly and summer thunderstorms can be dangerous if you are exposed on a ridge or in an open area. Generally it will be warm and sunny and the best thing ever with daytime temps in the upper 70s to lower 80s and 40s and 50s at night!
Daily activities depend on the final plan for our Rally. The more I contemplate this trip the more I think a base camp idea would be our best bet. Basically I will scout (and know of) the best places for a larger group to setup a camp. From a central camp everyone can strike out on their own little adventure each day! Besides the sightseeing you can rock hound, (I am addicted to rock hounding and have a full prospecting setup I bring!) go hiking, fishing, the obvious 4x4ing, visit an abandoned mining town (ghost town) and explore the mines that supported them. You can also rock climb, raft, kayak or sit around by the fire. Many, many of the mines were abandoned not because of the lack of minerals but because around 1900 the bottom fell out on a lot of mineral prices and so the owners simply walked away. The veins of ore still exist in horizontal and vertical mine shafts and you can even work the streams, mountain sides, and some tailings piles for gold, silver, gemstones, etc. (Some old mines exist on private property.)
Well this is a little info on what is possible, I hope to stir up some more interest with it. (My dad was a guide in the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for many years before going into the business world, in fact he and his business partner were the first to raft the headwaters of the Arkansas River, cutting barb-wire along the way! I spent every summer growing up in the moutains, anyway I am telling you that because he taught me everything i know about the mountains and now I'm sharing it with you! You can be rest assured I am not going to drive everyone off a cliff or something!)
For me it's not how long it takes to get there, it's how long i can stay!
The majority of the trails I am considering are actually old mule trails, livestock trails, wagon roads, and railroad beds which run through the Rocky Mountains. Most were originally built between 1850 and 1900 as a means to access the mineral deposits and newly staked mining claims in the mountains. Almost 100% of the trails lead to old abandoned Gold, Silver, and precious metal/gemstone mines. (Why else would you build a road to the top of the world?) The trails/roads usually begin at an elevation of 8,000-9,000 feet and travel as high as 13,500 feet. (There are a couple of existing roads to the top of what is affectionately known as 14ers, which are 14,000 foot mountains.)
They usually start from a small town, ghost town, or mouth of a valley and travel up to the mines, past the tree line (about 12000 feet, where there is not enough oxygen for the trees to grow), then over a high alpine pass, saddle, or ridge to drop into the 'next valley over'. STEEP ledge drop offs (AKA shelf roads), hairpin switchbacks, stream and river crossings, and of course ROCKS should be expected. The black and white photo above is an EXTREME example in ONE WAY ONLY, the width of the road. You should be made aware, however, that most shelf roads like it are only about 1.5-2.5 feet WIDER than that. Plenty of room, but if you are weak stomached you will likely be getting out to walk a stretch! You can expect to back up to a safe area if encountering opposing traffic on a narrow section such as this. (Uphill traffic has the right of way)
Though established National Forest Campgrounds are present at lower elevations, I prefer to make my own campsite up the road, or rediscover a site long forgotten. It's the explorer in me! There are plenty of places to make camp along these trails and roads, even with a larger group. (There are restrictions to party size however it should not be a problem) Waterfalls, mountains, mining cabins and ruins make a great backdrop.
As far as weather is concerned, you can almost bet on a 3:00-3:15 rain shower before the sun comes back out. Temperatures can range from 80+ to as low as you would like it to be. . I personally have been snowed out on July 4th at 11,000 feet, forcing our trek back out of the sticks (It was a family and friends backpacking trip and some families were too cold!). The temp can change very quickly and summer thunderstorms can be dangerous if you are exposed on a ridge or in an open area. Generally it will be warm and sunny and the best thing ever with daytime temps in the upper 70s to lower 80s and 40s and 50s at night!
Daily activities depend on the final plan for our Rally. The more I contemplate this trip the more I think a base camp idea would be our best bet. Basically I will scout (and know of) the best places for a larger group to setup a camp. From a central camp everyone can strike out on their own little adventure each day! Besides the sightseeing you can rock hound, (I am addicted to rock hounding and have a full prospecting setup I bring!) go hiking, fishing, the obvious 4x4ing, visit an abandoned mining town (ghost town) and explore the mines that supported them. You can also rock climb, raft, kayak or sit around by the fire. Many, many of the mines were abandoned not because of the lack of minerals but because around 1900 the bottom fell out on a lot of mineral prices and so the owners simply walked away. The veins of ore still exist in horizontal and vertical mine shafts and you can even work the streams, mountain sides, and some tailings piles for gold, silver, gemstones, etc. (Some old mines exist on private property.)
Well this is a little info on what is possible, I hope to stir up some more interest with it. (My dad was a guide in the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for many years before going into the business world, in fact he and his business partner were the first to raft the headwaters of the Arkansas River, cutting barb-wire along the way! I spent every summer growing up in the moutains, anyway I am telling you that because he taught me everything i know about the mountains and now I'm sharing it with you! You can be rest assured I am not going to drive everyone off a cliff or something!)
For me it's not how long it takes to get there, it's how long i can stay!
Last edited by amazinnblazin; Jun 23, 2009 at 11:52 AM.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 365
From: Internet Tube 375B429Niner
Kick a$$. I haven't run any trails around Georgetown, done some hiking, of course skiing around there lol. This summer I am headed to Lake City/Ouray area, there are excellent trails there too. You Tube Poughkeepsie Gulch and Black Bear Pass...
Last edited by amazinnblazin; Jun 20, 2009 at 10:49 PM.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 365
From: Internet Tube 375B429Niner
BF Colorado 2010 - Official Info Post
This is an info and link repost, as I realized the info is spread out all across this thread.
Central/Southern Colorado: Summer 2010
Well i know it can take some major planning, but I am putting together a trip for some good 4x4 in Colorado for summer 2010. (assuming we're all still here lol!) If people are interested let me know on this thread. Off the top of my head I know of great cabins and places to stay for $50-75/night with kitchens and bathrooms, or we could do a 'camp on the trail' thing. I would prefer to camp! There are a lot of trails, many for stock rigs with fun/challenging side routes for more dedicated peeps. All high in the Rocky Mountains, a lot to see, explore, and do.. All possibilities..let me know what you are thinking guys!! We are GROWING and we should be GOING!! Get ourselves (Blazer Forum that is) in a few Mags along the way... I am thinking Central and Southern CO, (Lake City, Silverton, Ouray, Gunnison, Buena Vista) I know it like the back of my hand. I will be up there this 4th of July too. But it is up to you guys, let me know about timing, length, what you want to or don't want to spend (I don't want any of your money). My vote would be for camping on the trail. What is your vote???????????????????????
Send your suggestions and input here, I would like to get a good count of how many people are interested at least, cause I am serious about setting this up! A Blazer bombardment!!
If you are interested in a BF 2010 rally in Colorado, please register with Blazerforum.com or sign in and let me know here!! Currently taking suggestions for everything so we can see what kind of interest there is! There WILL NOT be any dues or registration fees, etc. Just a show up and put up kind of affair! If you have a Blazer we would love to see you there! If you don't have a Blazer you are bringing the beer! LOL
FYI for those interested
The majority of the trails I am considering are actually old mule trails, livestock trails, wagon roads, and railroad beds which run through the Rocky Mountains. Most were originally built between 1850 and 1900 as a means to access the mineral deposits and newly staked mining claims in the mountains. Almost 100% of the trails lead to old abandoned Gold, Silver, and precious metal/gemstone mines. (Why else would you build a road to the top of the world?) The trails/roads usually begin at an elevation of 8,000-9,000 feet and travel as high as 13,500 feet. (There are a couple of existing roads to the top of what is affectionately known as 14ers, which are 14,000 foot mountains, but if you drive up a 14000 foot mountain it doesn't count! I've climbed 21 of Colorado's 14ers.) Most roads are rated 4x4, however you will find relatively tame sections with good obstacles sprinkled between the tamer sections.
They usually start from a small town, ghost town, or mouth of a valley and travel up to the mines, past the tree line (about 12000 feet, where there is not enough oxygen for the trees to grow), then over a high alpine pass, saddle, or ridge to drop into the 'next valley over'. STEEP ledge drop offs (AKA shelf roads), hairpin switchbacks, stream and river crossings, and of course ROCKS should be expected. The black and white photo below is an EXTREME example in ONE WAY ONLY, the width of the road. You should be made aware, however, that most shelf roads like it are only about 1.5-2.5 feet WIDER than that. (Think garage door) Plenty of room, but if you are weak stomached you will likely be getting out to walk a stretch! You can expect to back up to a safe area if encountering opposing traffic on a narrow section such as this. (Uphill traffic has the right of way)
Though established National Forest Campgrounds are present at lower elevations, I prefer to make my own campsite up the road, or rediscover a site long forgotten. It's the explorer in me! There are plenty of places to make camp along these trails and roads, even with a larger group. (There are restrictions to party size however it should not be a problem) Waterfalls, mountains, mining cabins and ruins make a great backdrop.
As far as weather is concerned, you can almost bet on a 3:00-3:15 rain shower before the sun comes back out. Temperatures can range from 80+ to as low as you would like it to be. . I personally have been snowed out on July 4th at 11,000 feet, forcing our trek back out of the sticks (It was a family and friends backpacking trip and some families were too cold!). The temp can change very quickly and summer thunderstorms can be dangerous if you are exposed on a ridge or in an open area. Generally it will be warm and sunny and the best thing ever with daytime temps in the upper 70s to lower 80s and 40s and 50s at night!
Daily activities depend on the final plan for our Rally. The more I contemplate this trip the more I think a base camp idea would be our best bet. Depending on where peeps wanted to go, a base camp idea might be appealing, where we all come to one campsite and make daily runs from there. Basically I will scout (and know of) the best places for a larger group to setup a camp. From a central camp everyone can strike out on their own little adventure or we can wagon train it on different trails each day. Besides the sightseeing you can rock hound, (I am addicted to rock hounding and have a full prospecting setup I bring!) go hiking, fishing, the obvious 4x4ing, visit an abandoned mining town (ghost town) and explore the mines that supported them. You can also rock climb, raft, kayak or sit around by the fire. Many, many of the mines were abandoned not because of the lack of minerals but because around 1900 the bottom fell out on a lot of mineral prices and so the owners simply walked away. The veins of ore still exist in horizontal and vertical mine shafts and you can even work the streams, mountain sides, and some tailings piles for gold, silver, gemstones, etc. (Some old mines exist on private property.)
Well this is a little info on what is possible, I hope to stir up some more interest with it. (My dad was a guide in the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for many years before going into the business world, in fact he and his business partner were the first to raft the headwaters of the Arkansas River, cutting barb-wire along the way! I spent every summer growing up in the mountains, anyway I am telling you that because he taught me everything I know about the mountains and now I'm sharing it with you! You can be rest assured I am not going to drive everyone off a cliff or something!)
If you have 4wd, gas money and 4 or 5 days that's all you really need.
For me it's not how long it takes to get there, it's how long i can stay!
Anyway here is a some pics of what I'm talking about... And no, none of the pics are from an airplane, they're all from the trail! (All are my pics) This is why i want to put together a trip for summer 2010! Each picture is from a different area, all of which are great places to go.
The perfect campsite back in there somewhere...
See our road?
The reason I want to be there
Very near a secret gemstone mining spot.
Speechless. (Notice: 4wd access does exist to Heaven!)
Lower elevation access road headed to the sticks
Road on Continental Divide, 12500' - Central Colorado
13000 feet near Tincup, CO
Yes it exists! The road below is Rated 5 (Extreme), that particular stretch is known as "Pucker Hill", the road is Black Bear Road/Pass, it is periodically 'fixed' (cleared of rock slides) with a bulldozer, the road is between Ouray/Silverton and Telluride. You Tube has several good videos of this road. It is one of the more extreme roads due to the many thousands of feet down vertical cliffs. The road is a bit wider at this point now, but still not for the faint of heart. I though the picture was great! It also is near where i will be this summer...
Here is a video (not mine) of one area from a passenger POV. The road is leaving Animas Forks, heading up over the continental divide toward Lake City. Excuse the flat tire at the end of the video, this old couple is funny too. There are hundreds of 'unknown' roads leading from this 'main' road over a HUGE area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKK85...e=channel_page
This guy actually has a whole series of videos of the same area (Alpine Loop). If you are interested check this one out, it is very near where i am going this summer and a very good video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIPxLQUMuG4
*BEST VIDEO* And another from a Jeep girl showing some cool things along a few trails in Yankee Boy Basin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftG2Q...eature=related
A good video showing the rougher, rockier parts and drivebys of even bigger and better stuff for more serious drivers on a road between Ouray and Telluride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvpfu...e=channel_page
Central/Southern Colorado: Summer 2010
Well i know it can take some major planning, but I am putting together a trip for some good 4x4 in Colorado for summer 2010. (assuming we're all still here lol!) If people are interested let me know on this thread. Off the top of my head I know of great cabins and places to stay for $50-75/night with kitchens and bathrooms, or we could do a 'camp on the trail' thing. I would prefer to camp! There are a lot of trails, many for stock rigs with fun/challenging side routes for more dedicated peeps. All high in the Rocky Mountains, a lot to see, explore, and do.. All possibilities..let me know what you are thinking guys!! We are GROWING and we should be GOING!! Get ourselves (Blazer Forum that is) in a few Mags along the way... I am thinking Central and Southern CO, (Lake City, Silverton, Ouray, Gunnison, Buena Vista) I know it like the back of my hand. I will be up there this 4th of July too. But it is up to you guys, let me know about timing, length, what you want to or don't want to spend (I don't want any of your money). My vote would be for camping on the trail. What is your vote???????????????????????
Send your suggestions and input here, I would like to get a good count of how many people are interested at least, cause I am serious about setting this up! A Blazer bombardment!!
If you are interested in a BF 2010 rally in Colorado, please register with Blazerforum.com or sign in and let me know here!! Currently taking suggestions for everything so we can see what kind of interest there is! There WILL NOT be any dues or registration fees, etc. Just a show up and put up kind of affair! If you have a Blazer we would love to see you there! If you don't have a Blazer you are bringing the beer! LOL
FYI for those interested
The majority of the trails I am considering are actually old mule trails, livestock trails, wagon roads, and railroad beds which run through the Rocky Mountains. Most were originally built between 1850 and 1900 as a means to access the mineral deposits and newly staked mining claims in the mountains. Almost 100% of the trails lead to old abandoned Gold, Silver, and precious metal/gemstone mines. (Why else would you build a road to the top of the world?) The trails/roads usually begin at an elevation of 8,000-9,000 feet and travel as high as 13,500 feet. (There are a couple of existing roads to the top of what is affectionately known as 14ers, which are 14,000 foot mountains, but if you drive up a 14000 foot mountain it doesn't count! I've climbed 21 of Colorado's 14ers.) Most roads are rated 4x4, however you will find relatively tame sections with good obstacles sprinkled between the tamer sections.
They usually start from a small town, ghost town, or mouth of a valley and travel up to the mines, past the tree line (about 12000 feet, where there is not enough oxygen for the trees to grow), then over a high alpine pass, saddle, or ridge to drop into the 'next valley over'. STEEP ledge drop offs (AKA shelf roads), hairpin switchbacks, stream and river crossings, and of course ROCKS should be expected. The black and white photo below is an EXTREME example in ONE WAY ONLY, the width of the road. You should be made aware, however, that most shelf roads like it are only about 1.5-2.5 feet WIDER than that. (Think garage door) Plenty of room, but if you are weak stomached you will likely be getting out to walk a stretch! You can expect to back up to a safe area if encountering opposing traffic on a narrow section such as this. (Uphill traffic has the right of way)
Though established National Forest Campgrounds are present at lower elevations, I prefer to make my own campsite up the road, or rediscover a site long forgotten. It's the explorer in me! There are plenty of places to make camp along these trails and roads, even with a larger group. (There are restrictions to party size however it should not be a problem) Waterfalls, mountains, mining cabins and ruins make a great backdrop.
As far as weather is concerned, you can almost bet on a 3:00-3:15 rain shower before the sun comes back out. Temperatures can range from 80+ to as low as you would like it to be. . I personally have been snowed out on July 4th at 11,000 feet, forcing our trek back out of the sticks (It was a family and friends backpacking trip and some families were too cold!). The temp can change very quickly and summer thunderstorms can be dangerous if you are exposed on a ridge or in an open area. Generally it will be warm and sunny and the best thing ever with daytime temps in the upper 70s to lower 80s and 40s and 50s at night!
Daily activities depend on the final plan for our Rally. The more I contemplate this trip the more I think a base camp idea would be our best bet. Depending on where peeps wanted to go, a base camp idea might be appealing, where we all come to one campsite and make daily runs from there. Basically I will scout (and know of) the best places for a larger group to setup a camp. From a central camp everyone can strike out on their own little adventure or we can wagon train it on different trails each day. Besides the sightseeing you can rock hound, (I am addicted to rock hounding and have a full prospecting setup I bring!) go hiking, fishing, the obvious 4x4ing, visit an abandoned mining town (ghost town) and explore the mines that supported them. You can also rock climb, raft, kayak or sit around by the fire. Many, many of the mines were abandoned not because of the lack of minerals but because around 1900 the bottom fell out on a lot of mineral prices and so the owners simply walked away. The veins of ore still exist in horizontal and vertical mine shafts and you can even work the streams, mountain sides, and some tailings piles for gold, silver, gemstones, etc. (Some old mines exist on private property.)
Well this is a little info on what is possible, I hope to stir up some more interest with it. (My dad was a guide in the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for many years before going into the business world, in fact he and his business partner were the first to raft the headwaters of the Arkansas River, cutting barb-wire along the way! I spent every summer growing up in the mountains, anyway I am telling you that because he taught me everything I know about the mountains and now I'm sharing it with you! You can be rest assured I am not going to drive everyone off a cliff or something!)
If you have 4wd, gas money and 4 or 5 days that's all you really need.
For me it's not how long it takes to get there, it's how long i can stay!
Anyway here is a some pics of what I'm talking about... And no, none of the pics are from an airplane, they're all from the trail! (All are my pics) This is why i want to put together a trip for summer 2010! Each picture is from a different area, all of which are great places to go.
The perfect campsite back in there somewhere...
See our road?
The reason I want to be there
Very near a secret gemstone mining spot.
Speechless. (Notice: 4wd access does exist to Heaven!)
Lower elevation access road headed to the sticks
Road on Continental Divide, 12500' - Central Colorado
13000 feet near Tincup, CO
Yes it exists! The road below is Rated 5 (Extreme), that particular stretch is known as "Pucker Hill", the road is Black Bear Road/Pass, it is periodically 'fixed' (cleared of rock slides) with a bulldozer, the road is between Ouray/Silverton and Telluride. You Tube has several good videos of this road. It is one of the more extreme roads due to the many thousands of feet down vertical cliffs. The road is a bit wider at this point now, but still not for the faint of heart. I though the picture was great! It also is near where i will be this summer...
Here is a video (not mine) of one area from a passenger POV. The road is leaving Animas Forks, heading up over the continental divide toward Lake City. Excuse the flat tire at the end of the video, this old couple is funny too. There are hundreds of 'unknown' roads leading from this 'main' road over a HUGE area. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKK85...e=channel_page
This guy actually has a whole series of videos of the same area (Alpine Loop). If you are interested check this one out, it is very near where i am going this summer and a very good video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIPxLQUMuG4
*BEST VIDEO* And another from a Jeep girl showing some cool things along a few trails in Yankee Boy Basin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftG2Q...eature=related
A good video showing the rougher, rockier parts and drivebys of even bigger and better stuff for more serious drivers on a road between Ouray and Telluride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvpfu...e=channel_page
Last edited by amazinnblazin; Jun 23, 2009 at 12:14 PM.
