sigma pi

I think I am going to try and do the whole thing next vacation on a dirt bike.

STingray1300

That sounds like fun! Make sure to make a stop at "Oh Point". (when you get there, you'll figure out the name)

Aragorn

Please for the love of $diety follow the take only pictures and leave only footprints motto. My grandpa used to run around his property in Powderhorn (halfway between Lake City and Gunnison) (BLM/parks owns most of the land around that area) picking up trash.

Other than that most of the parks have trails designated and you can travel on BLM but it is open range (IE farms run their cattle out there.) Keep in mind you may not have cell phone reception in a lot of areas. I know when I was last out at his old house (decade ago granted) I didn't have any reception till I got up to 9 mile (about halfway from lake city to powderhorn)

There are some trails off Monarch pass that are pretty easy (most of the time) but keep an eye out for alerts as conditions change constantly.

Supplies:
Food
Water
Spare tire(s) and air compressor
Good first aid kit
Planned route if not going to a hot spot (let someone that is not going with you know where you are going and when you plan to be back.)
Good winch or tow-straps
Tools
Minimum 5 gallon gas tank
Camera with extra batteries/film (if you are old school)
Jump pack is nice to have but not absolute
More water

Trail rules:
Cars going up hill have right of way! Use pullouts when possible.

johndeerefarmer

If you break down in CO this is who you can call to help you. They have a phone number that you can send a text to using a satellite messenger such as the Delorme Inreach SE

http://www.co4x4rnr.org/

Ryan...

I always kind of wondered about this, looks like a hell of a time trying to maneuver vehicles on many sections of these trails.

Aragorn

The reasoning is pretty simple, a car going up hill in snow or adverse conditions will have a much harder time starting from a dead stop than by maintaining momentum. A car going downhill has gravity to assist.

Generally trails will have spots you can pull off to get out of the way of other vehicles for this reason.

Edit: If you have never been at high elevations be aware that you can get dehydrated very easily. You may also suffer from altitude sickness. Generally if it's mild just relax and take your time. If it's severe get to a lower elevation. I've never had it so can't tell you exactly what it is like (I was born in Gunnison so high elevations don't bother me, miss living in CO though.)

Edit Redoux: Suntan lotion (unless you don't burn easily and still consider it.) Even on a cloudy day you have a very high chance of sunburn.

Edit Tres: Check for fire warnings. A simple cigarette has started quite a few brush fires in Colorado. Be very careful with fire and if there are fire warnings out find alternative heating sources like a coleman stove.

Boa Man5

I've been looking at winches and traction ramps. I will be getting new tires for the trip as well. I have a lot of experience camping and know that you pack water and food for how long you need if you hiked out. I'll probably try to stick to the more popular spots especially if they hard.

Thanks very much. I will keep this site in mind for sure.

I've been camping many times, however not in Colorado. I'll be checking for fires and other dangerous conditions. Especially rain. I've been to Estes Park and went hiking, and have also hiked a 11000 ft mountain, so I'm not too worried about altitude sickness. I will definitely need sunscreen.

Aragorn

Good deal, have fun and take lots of photos. It's some of the most beautiful country in the world IMO. (Granted I only have a limited basis of comparison but still.

STingray1300

Don't kid yourself, hiking @ 11,000 ft is different than being at 13,000ft.




Dehydration is the big surprise to people. Take plenty of drinking water... twice as much as you think you'll need.

A couple of things to bear in mind, that most of the high pass trails in Colorado are open and very traffic visible. I.e., you will generally see oncoming traffic for a pretty long time. Most of the trails have room to pass...barely. Also, no matter where you are or which trail you're on, someone is bound to come along in fairly short order. (if you have any cell phone coverage, you're really not "getting away from it all" now, are you?) Having a HAM and a PLB (or DeLorme, etc.) is all you need. Very unlikely you'll have issues if you're duly cautious.

Also fortunately, a lot of people seem to be practicing "Tread Lightly" principles (because they know that everyone could lose access if the trails are mistreated). I think we picked up maybe 1 aluminum can in all the trails we drove (almost 100 miles). No secret code stuff here, just practice trail prudence. BTW, unless you decide to do some of the really tough trails, you will NOT need a winch or MaxxTraxx. I have them, but I always have them. (and no, don't waste your money on the cheap knock offs like SmittyBuilts, e.g.) Now if you go during snow season, well then....

Oh, and as an aside, if you have an EcoBoost, you will REALLY be glad you have it at high elevations! No loss of power/torque. Really amazing

Aragorn

You can get by without a winch but I like to be prepared for the worst if at all possible. Too many years in scouts not to. If you have the winch you will probably never need it, but the way my luck runs if I didn't have it I'd need it.