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Post by dmdhiker on Jul 21, 2015 11:42:05 GMT -8
Driving to Colorado from the midwest for about a 10 day vacation. Plan to car-camp for a few days then stay in a hotel in an interesting town and do it again at another destination. Prefer something on the eastern part of the Rockies. Never been to RMNP but would be glad to miss the crowds for similar beauty elsewhere. Asking for help from you Colorado experts. Thanks.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jul 21, 2015 12:25:01 GMT -8
You didn't mention what you were driving. A high clearance vehicle (doesn't necessarily need to be 4WD) greatly expands your options.
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Post by dmdhiker on Jul 21, 2015 12:57:29 GMT -8
Good question, driving a low clearance vehicle as in Suburu Outback.
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Post by dmdhiker on Jul 22, 2015 5:14:43 GMT -8
Got some good advice on facebook bper page and it looks as if we are heading to RMNP and the surrounding areas. Any particular tips for this region?
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jul 22, 2015 6:02:10 GMT -8
I've seen stock Subaru's in some pretty rugged places, but not everyone is comfortable feeling their undercarriage scrape against rocks. For campgrounds, each National Forest has their own links. Here's a good place to start: www.fs.fed.us/r2/recreation/camping/cg-maps/colorado/co-cg-index-072510-spry.shtmlEach forest also has their own rules regarding primitive (dispersed) camping options, and there are often restrictions near the larger front range cities, but in many areas, you can drive up to 300 off of a forest service road to setup camp. |
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Post by msdoolittle on Jul 22, 2015 6:32:15 GMT -8
You want to stay East of the Rockies? Is there a reason why you don't want to go further in? In my opinion, your missing some of the best of what CO has to offer. RMNP is nice and all, but it's a mess of tourists.
I guess if you're set on that, also check out Brainard Lake Recreation Area, just down the road from Estes. They have new FS campgrounds that look fairly nice. And the moose love that area.
The Front Range is just very busy in general. If you go West of Fort Collins, things should start thinning out a bit. But, I'm not all familiar with the camping in those areas (except for Red Feather Lakes, which is really pretty cool).
Anyway, I hope you have a great trip!
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Post by dmdhiker on Jul 22, 2015 9:27:25 GMT -8
Not set on any particular area, just trying to narrow down my search. So msdoolittle what would you recommend if we travel farther west? I'm open for all ideas, thanks to everyone who responded thus far. I sure missed this forum, it's been a long time since I've been back. Glad to see many familiar names.
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Post by hikinggods on Jul 22, 2015 19:48:13 GMT -8
I just spent a long weekend in the Salida/Buena Vista area. That gets you a little away from the Front Range congestion, but is only a couple of hours from Denver. That stretch of the Collegiate Peaks from Leadville to Salida has a lot to do. The Arkansas River, the mountains, some charming small towns...
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378 
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Post by speacock on Jul 23, 2015 11:07:42 GMT -8
Get at least the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer of COLORADO and go to work on it with a highligher. hikinggods is right about that area. There are access for day hiking all along the eastern side of the Collegiates which are a long string of 14'rs.
Some interesting towns in the area, include Telluride(from Cortez on 145 loop around on 62 to Ouray to Durango), Salida, Leadville (mining/prospecting interests).
With 10 days, you can probably bracket much of Colorado including seeing the Cache Le Poure River on the north. Stay on black and grey roads, avoiding Interstates and larger routes. Generally plan on penetrating any of the ranges associated with the Rockies and spend much of your time looking UP. Small towns nestled up against a mountain at the end of a road are good candidates.
Get a book on submitting all of the 14's and use the instructions on access to the peaks as possible rubbernecking routes.
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Post by dmdhiker on Jul 23, 2015 12:41:06 GMT -8
Avoiding the crowds is important so we are leaning heavily towards Buena Vista region. Thanks for all the suggestions. It almost feels like the old board as I use to get much of my travel ideas from here.
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