Looking for experiences

I think May will be kind of early for the Alpine Loop.

You might check for trips in the foothills of the Rockies in May. Maybe Canyonlands or Capitol Reef National Parks?
Big Bend NP and Big Bend Ranch State Park here in Texas also have many 4WD roads and camping, though probably not much fishing or fires.

Keep in mind that most of us in this forum are backpackers, so many of us may not be familiar with 4WD routes (self included).

The Colorado high country will be snow packed, with the valleys wet and buggy, in mid May. Nights will be frosty in many cases. Days could be sunny and 60, or blustery and snowy. Winter does not leave the high country until June/July.

Consider a trip to the Shawnee region in southern Illinois. There are some nice lakes that you can drive to. The area gets very little visitation (mainly hunters and horse packers) and some spots are surprisingly rugged and very scenic, with pour-off waterfalls, deep hollows, and rock formations that look like they belong out west. There is a nice lake at One Horse Gap. Dutchman is another nice lake.

If you want more mountains, you might consider the Ouachita Mountains in eastern Oklahoma. They have a ton of hiking trails and a few lakes.

If you do hit the Rockies, northern portions in New Mexico are stunning in the areas around the eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristos near Taos. These peaks reach nearly 13,000 ft but tend to melt out sooner. You might have a better chance of a high alpine adventure in this part of the country.

I am guessing you don't know the difference between heat in Illinois and Utah. People that say "it's a dry heat" generally aren't expending too many calories. I'm pretty sure 100* in Utah is considerably deadlier than your humid 80s or 90s. Don't !@#$ around if you haven't properly educated yourself.

It is shaping up to be an EARLY season in the Sangre de Cristo which IMO is the glory of Colorado. Google Medano Pass, Blanca Road, Brush Creek Lakes, etc. I'd think about boondocking near the South Crestone Trailhead; in 1996 a year like this I saw ice off on Willow Lake May 15. It was amazing, full of cuts at the outlet.

The Snotel Link below shows Medano Pass at *0%* of normal and so does Cochetopa Pass on the Eastern San Juan. I have hiked high to lakes many Mays in the Snagres and this looks like one. Don't expect to go over any passes but you never know. Don't attempt the Phantom Terrace UNLESS YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT IT IS CLEAR. Beware icey mornings. Don't !@#$ with anything you don't know about. IF you wonder whether you need an ice axe you probably do and if you don't know how to use one learn or be prepared to turn back before it gets too sketchy. This is some of the best car camping/day hiking on the planet.

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Some teasers:

S. Zapata Trail in April:

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Willow Lake in July. Look closely for my friend to the right of the top of the falls:

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Here is the Bison McCurdy Massif of the Lost Creek Wilderness, Tarryall Mts.. Just saw a pic of this view that is current with NO SNOW:

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I have an album of the Sangres on my facebook if you message me.

I'd suggest the Beartooths in southern Montana but there's so much freaking snow up there that we plan on skiing there well into July. A lot of high lakes will be frozen over until then. Besides it won't be warm at all. Good luck in your quest.

Don't climbers use the S Zapata trail to get to the fun west ridge of KC? I am not a technical climber (I stop at class 4), but I know there is a route one valley over from Willow Creek that has a trail up there.

Have you spend much time at Bear's Playground?

The best places you can't drive to. The best advice I can conjure up is to search US Forest Services Campgrounds near regions you are interested in visiting. Some have very close proximity to great fishing lakes and have campfire pits and picnic tables on sight.

You did not provide a date/season window so it's hard to make a suggestion. Also much of the best fishing in the west is in rivers and streams. One of the best is the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam. I would research Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. It is located in Wyoming and Utah in very close proximity to Colorado.

I think based on your input this would be your best option. Also plenty of authentic 4-wd roads.