3 day adv ride

Discussion in 'The Rockies – It's all downhill from here...' started by Asatrur, May 29, 2012.

  1. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    A buddy and I are planing a 3 day trip in mid-July and I am looking for advice of ideas.
    We are on KLR's and will be camping it with gear on board. I would say we a re mid-range riders, with me being more noob than him for sure. We would be leaving on Friday morning and coming back Sunday evening and we are looking for more dirt than not. We are located in the N Denver area.
    Thanks for all the info,
    Asa
    #1
  2. AKASY

    AKASY Noob

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    If it were me, I would look up Bigdog's Continental Divide Ride tracks here on ADV and either go north or south--From Denver I think I would go south and into northern NM. Tracks are good, riding in my view is easy peasy and it will be mostly dirt\gravel after you get on track off of I70.
    #2
  3. oldmanb777

    oldmanb777 Just say NO to socialism! It's a bad drug!

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    Just got back form a few days in the high country. Everything is DRY as a bone. Snowpack looks more like late August than late May. So many things are open to your plans. Try heading up to Rocky Mtn National Park, and over Trail Ridge Rd (not sure if Fall River Rd is open yet, but that would be the way to go).. Then hook up on Still Water Pass. There is nice camping spots there, especially on the West side. Next day head over Willow Creek Pass. Toward the bottom there is a nice dirt road heading west. Good place to explore and again good camping around there. That turn off isn't as far as Rand, but I can't rememeber the name. Maybe head over to buffalo Pass area. The road isn't open yet to Steamboat, but lots of wildlife in the area. I almost took out a Moose coming around a corner on Sunday. (I guess she would have won that one, but I'm not above road kil in my freezer!).
    #3
  4. Troutbum420

    Troutbum420 Adventurer

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    <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:eek:ffice:eek:ffice" /><o:p></o:p>
    Lots of options there – consider if you want to do some destination & get a lot of long days and miles in? Or, want to get away from others on hardcore 4x4 roads, take your time but don’t get as far?
    Could do a day to Grand Mesa or Moab, ride for a day there and a day back? Or plenty of places to ride around town for 3 days too; I burned 8 hours Monday with a lot of dirt, and dozens of 4x4 trail options I didn’t have time to check out - and was really never more than an hour from the city; Up Golden Gate Canyon/Crawford Gulch to Peak to Peak to Rollinsville & the Tolland road, up Rollins pass and back, then down over Mammoth Gulch to Apex valley & Central City, then rolled around the ruins and ghost towns Russell gulch, Nevadaville & Oh My God Road down to Idaho springs. You could head south over Rampart & bust west on DS roads around the springs and points SW, South Park is great this time of year too – literally dozens of options to consider for a 3 day trip. <o:p></o:p>
    #4
  5. radrak

    radrak not so n00b

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    I have been riding dirt roads in colorado for a lot of years now. If you are interested in a third rider, I would like to ride along and show you some interesting roads..
    #5
  6. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    Alright, change of plans. we are going to slab it to a central location for a campsite and then do rides from there. I am thinking of South central/SW Colorado. Does anyone have recommendations for those areas for day rides suitable for a KLR and a moderate rider?
    Thanks,
    Asa
    #6
  7. HellSickle

    HellSickle Scone Rider

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    North of Willow Creek: CR106. This is right in the middle of the Snyder Creek trail system. Set up camp, and explore nice single track in all directions.
    #7
  8. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    Done, we booked a cabin outside of Salida and doing day rides on Sat with cool routes to and fro denver on Fri/Sun. If anyone wants to join up for the weekend, day, etc. let me know. We will be on KLRs and mid-range riders, so 717, etc. are out.
    Caution lots of words ahead
    Basic route down to Salida so far is from Sedalia
    67 to rampart to
    Farn/Missouri to 67 up to
    West creek to florissant via CR 68, FR 360/Cedar mtn road, CR3/wildhorn rd
    From there we are looking for off-paved road advice on how to get to Salida, but we have this in mind. If anyone knows of better ways or if these legal/illegal, please chime in.
    CO46, CR98, CR403, CR100, CR98, CR59/Thirtynine mile rd to CR116/Black mtn road where it crosses 9. Here we pick up CR108 and wander through an area that worries me due to looking like a rural development to pick up CR53 back into the NF on CR2/175/ute trail until we hit CR181 and CR 173 into Sedalia.
    #8
  9. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    We have rented a 2 bedroom cabin W of Salida a few miles and there are only 2 of us going, so I want to throw out the official invitation to other inmates. date again are 7/13-15. Here is a breakdown of the first days ride, which may change based on what I saw on my pike NF map and gazeteer
    http://goo.gl/maps/eMs3
    Saturday is still in the planning stages, but it will be a long day in mtns. Sunday is also going to be similar to Friday in taking a long dirt ride back to the Denver area.
    Here is where were are staying. Cabin can fit up to 8 folks
    http://www.monarchspurrvcampground.com/
    #9
  10. arpioni

    arpioni Adventurer

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    I'm looking at pretty much the same route to Salida, but instead going south on 9 and then hit CR2/Ute Trail across to Salida.
    #10
  11. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    This event is officially being postponed to sometime in August due to timing conflicts and in the hope we can get some more folks to join us. Keep an eye out for more info
    #11
  12. robbie7878

    robbie7878 Adventurer

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    We have rescheduled and reserved the cabin (sleeps 6) leaving friday morning 9/14 and returning sometime sunday 9/16. Come for both nights, one night or ride for the day.

    Cabin is $140 each night divided by the number of riders staying each night, so the more the cheaper.


    Who's in?
    #12
  13. binskies

    binskies Been here awhile

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    Using our ride on Caribou Creek on Saturday as a comparison, how would rate the routes you are planning for this trip?
    #13
  14. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    Unknown right now, but I anticipate steering away from hard stuff and sticking mainly to passes, etc.
    #14
  15. robbie7878

    robbie7878 Adventurer

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    I agree. Let's tone it dowyn a bit. No way I can do two consecutive days of last Saturday.
    #15
  16. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    Neither could I :huh
    #16
  17. binskies

    binskies Been here awhile

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    Then I may be in if I can get Friday off, if that's okay with you.
    #17
  18. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    That would be awesome and you are most welcome! I can learn a ton from someone who rolls like you do!:D
    #18
  19. binskies

    binskies Been here awhile

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    That's a highly developed skill. Not just anyone can do it with skill and precision.
    #19
  20. Asatrur

    Asatrur KLR adv rider

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    That I know. I for one would have ended up wrapped around a tree.
    #20