Snow near Leadville

MountainMark · 06-23-2009, 04:18 PM

I'm planning on doing a moto-camping trip over the fourth weekend. Thinking about camping outside of leadville near half moon creek/twin lake area. Anyone know how the snow/mud level is faring over there? This is where I'm thinking of going:

[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']http://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.154325,-106.403403&t=p&sll=39.22855,-106.350205&sspn=0.017288,0.032015&ie=UTF8&ll=39.161213,-106.401558&spn=0.092905,0.153809&z=13&iwloc=near>[/FONT]

Thanks for the intel

Mark

chtucker · 06-23-2009, 06:02 PM

There is no snow around town. Most of the snow is gone below tree line. Hagerman and Mosquito are not open. I heard that Weston Pass is, and it looks like it from both sides. The whole east side (the mining district of Leadville) is clear of snow. Be aware that most of the are directly around Halfmoon is designated wilderness... There are very few legal trails. The Halfmoon road does go up the Champion mine, but I would guess that the creek is impassible. I know some others went up Mosquito to the turn off from Birdseye Gulch (based on their photos) I think you could complete that loop from Mosquito down to Highway 91.....

There has been talk of Hagerman being plowed for the fourth. Last year the pass was not plowed at all. I could not get to the top in a 4 wheel vehicle till early August. Looking at the snow level, I would really say that Hagerman will not be open.... but you can go look for me

Where else where you planning on riding?

MountainMark · 06-27-2009, 12:31 PM

Planning non going from ft collins up poudre, into wyoming and down into steamboat, then down towards that leadville area for some camping and fishing. The off towards crested butte, redstone, and up towards glenwood, then back over the park to fort fun. 4 days camping and a hotel night (glenwood). All with hot girlfriend who is a rider but hasnt done any adventure style stuff! Woohoo!

MountainMark · 06-27-2009, 12:34 PM

Anyone have thoughts on places to camp somewhere in the leadville/cottonwood pass areas? We have backpacking tent and good gear, but bikes are not built for heavy single track stuff (1200RT). Sounds like the place I was thinking of is porbably still snowy.

chtucker · 06-27-2009, 02:25 PM

No snow where you where thinking.... but there are plenty of forest areas to camp...

Lost Canyon, Clear Creek drainage, Granite, are all places I'd recommend...

The other side of Cottonwood in the Taylor park area is really nice..

My favorite loop is Leadville to Aspen over independence, over Mclure pass to Paonia, down to Cimmaron area over to Gunnison, on a dual sportish up to Cottonwood pass through Taylor Park, Buena Vista and back to Leadville...

You do know that Cottonwood is not paved?

Sludge · 06-27-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainMark

Anyone have thoughts on places to camp somewhere in the leadville/cottonwood pass areas? We have backpacking tent and good gear, but bikes are not built for heavy single track stuff (1200RT). Sounds like the place I was thinking of is porbably still snowy.

I was just camping over cottonwood pass on wednesday, by taylor resivoir. There are alot of campsites that are easy to access in that area. We found a great and free site just a little off Texas Creek Rd. Bring lots of bug spray, the mosquitoes are as big and plentiful as they were in Minnesota when I was growing up.

Have fun it is a great place.

MountainMark · 06-27-2009, 05:24 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Yes I've ridden cottonwood on my RT several times. No problems there. I figured half moon area was first choice taylor resv as a good second option. Looking to do some fly fishing in the eves so water is good.

That is a great loop you mentioned. I've done most of that a few times now, but I want to look around again on some of the dirtier roads.

Mark

OUtback UFO · 06-28-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainMark

Planning non going from ft collins up poudre, into wyoming and down into steamboat, then down towards that leadville area for some camping and fishing. The off towards crested butte, redstone, and up towards glenwood, then back over the park to fort fun. 4 days camping and a hotel night (glenwood). All with hot girlfriend who is a rider but hasnt done any adventure style stuff! Woohoo!

if you are staying in GS.... i would suggest not bothering with the Hot Springs pool unless the HGF wants to go for a soak... it is over priced and very busy this time of year.. Instead... go to the Yampha Vapor Caves... just east of the pool at where the bike path in the canyon starts... more resonalbaly prices and cooler for having a HGF... it is asweat vapor cave... you do need to take some bottled water with you but is so much better after camping and everything... and then she will be in more of a nudge nudge say no more mood... plus in Carbondale, there is two gourmet pizza.. White House Pizza on Main street 1.5 blocks east of the Stoplight (7/11) is great... plus in Glenwood there is the brew pub for beet and Juicey Lucy's for a great steak (family style) no reservations.. .so get there early... all walking from the caves.

doc_ricketts · 06-28-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chtucker

No snow where you where thinking.... but there are plenty of forest areas to camp...

Lost Canyon, Clear Creek drainage, Granite, are all places I'd recommend...

The other side of Cottonwood in the Taylor park area is really nice..

My favorite loop is Leadville to Aspen over independence, over Mclure pass to Paonia, down to Cimmaron area over to Gunnison, on a dual sportish up to Cottonwood pass through Taylor Park, Buena Vista and back to Leadville...

You do know that Cottonwood is not paved?

And sometimes Cottonwood is a little greasy after a rain since they oil it to keep the dust down.

FatChance · 06-29-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc_ricketts

And sometimes Cottonwood is a little greasy after a rain since they oil it to keep the dust down.

Technically, I think it is probably mag chloride, not oil, but that is just an educated guess.

out rider · 06-29-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatChance

Technically, I think it is probably mag chloride, not oil, but that is just an educated guess.

And if you get that crap on your bike you better get it off A.S.A.P. as it will eat your paint and chrome. Nasty stuff...

06-23-2009, 04:18 PM	#1
MountainMark ^OP N. Colo adventure rider Joined: Jul 2005 Oddometer: 92	Snow near Leadville I'm planning on doing a moto-camping trip over the fourth weekend. Thinking about camping outside of leadville near half moon creek/twin lake area. Anyone know how the snow/mud level is faring over there? This is where I'm thinking of going: [FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']http://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.154325,-106.403403&t=p&sll=39.22855,-106.350205&sspn=0.017288,0.032015&ie=UTF8&ll=39.161213,-106.401558&spn=0.092905,0.153809&z=13&iwloc=near>[/FONT] Thanks for the intel Mark MountainMark screwed with this post 06-23-2009 at 04:25 PM

06-27-2009, 12:31 PM	#3
MountainMark ^OP N. Colo adventure rider Joined: Jul 2005 Oddometer: 92	thanks for the intel Planning non going from ft collins up poudre, into wyoming and down into steamboat, then down towards that leadville area for some camping and fishing. The off towards crested butte, redstone, and up towards glenwood, then back over the park to fort fun. 4 days camping and a hotel night (glenwood). All with hot girlfriend who is a rider but hasnt done any adventure style stuff! Woohoo!

06-27-2009, 12:34 PM	#4
MountainMark ^OP N. Colo adventure rider Joined: Jul 2005 Oddometer: 92	places to camp Anyone have thoughts on places to camp somewhere in the leadville/cottonwood pass areas? We have backpacking tent and good gear, but bikes are not built for heavy single track stuff (1200RT). Sounds like the place I was thinking of is porbably still snowy.

06-27-2009, 05:24 PM	#7
MountainMark ^OP N. Colo adventure rider Joined: Jul 2005 Oddometer: 92	thanks guys! Thanks for the info guys. Yes I've ridden cottonwood on my RT several times. No problems there. I figured half moon area was first choice taylor resv as a good second option. Looking to do some fly fishing in the eves so water is good. That is a great loop you mentioned. I've done most of that a few times now, but I want to look around again on some of the dirtier roads. Mark

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06-23-2009, 06:02 PM	#2
chtucker Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: sunshine state Oddometer: 735	There is no snow around town. Most of the snow is gone below tree line. Hagerman and Mosquito are not open. I heard that Weston Pass is, and it looks like it from both sides. The whole east side (the mining district of Leadville) is clear of snow. Be aware that most of the are directly around Halfmoon is designated wilderness... There are very few legal trails. The Halfmoon road does go up the Champion mine, but I would guess that the creek is impassible. I know some others went up Mosquito to the turn off from Birdseye Gulch (based on their photos) I think you could complete that loop from Mosquito down to Highway 91..... There has been talk of Hagerman being plowed for the fourth. Last year the pass was not plowed at all. I could not get to the top in a 4 wheel vehicle till early August. Looking at the snow level, I would really say that Hagerman will not be open.... but you can go look for me Where else where you planning on riding?

06-27-2009, 02:25 PM	#5
chtucker Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: sunshine state Oddometer: 735	No snow where you where thinking.... but there are plenty of forest areas to camp... Lost Canyon, Clear Creek drainage, Granite, are all places I'd recommend... The other side of Cottonwood in the Taylor park area is really nice.. My favorite loop is Leadville to Aspen over independence, over Mclure pass to Paonia, down to Cimmaron area over to Gunnison, on a dual sportish up to Cottonwood pass through Taylor Park, Buena Vista and back to Leadville... You do know that Cottonwood is not paved?