Whats the best trail for camping?

[Demodave]

Whats the best trail for spring/summer camping? Looking for 5 or lower rating, as the wife and kids don't like the harder stuff.....


Looking for 2-3 day camping...

Northern Colo, and also down by Ouray

Need to start planning this years events!

Thanks

[jimfoo]

There isn't really camping allowed on the Ouray trails other than up towards Yankee Boy, and possibly on Poughkeepsie, just past where it starts off of Engineer Pass. I don't know if it is allowed there, but I have seen people at one place on the right several times. I think they don't allow it as so many people go there, if they all camped where ever they wanted, the place would be totally trashed. Silver Dollar, a rather easy trail between Dallas Divide and Telluride looks like it has some nice camping spots on it. There are probably trails further out that you could camp on as well. I'd suggest calling the FS down there as they know best. I haven't done many N Colo trails, so someone else will have to pipe up. Also if you plan on Ouray in the spring, there probably won't be many trails open.

[Demodave]

sorry, looking for N Colo in Spring/summer

Ouray we are planning for August. Want to drive trails and Camp in the area.
Telluride will work well also

[jimfoo]

One place off Yankee Boy is pay, but it is nice, and has a shi**er as well.
http://forum.solihullsociety.org/cphoto/albums/userpics/normal_PICT0633.JPG
The sites aren't close to each other, and it is rough enough to keep passenger cars out.

[Colin]

Up North, Sevenmile by far. Tons and tons of excellent camp sites.

I go there every summer.

[rubbersidedown]

There is Kingston Peak on the north side (late spring) and Jenny Creek is right there too. Some good camping all around that area.

[Demodave]

7 mile was on our "list" already, as we have been up there before and it is a fun trail, with lots of spots....

thanks

[MountainJeep]

not exactly in your preferred area, but my two favorite spots to camp and wheel are Metberry Gulch (adjacent to Lost Creek Wilderness), and Holy Cross (adjacent to Holy Cross Wilderness).

[Demodave]

actually we are planning weekend trips anywhere within 3-4 hours of Ft Collins.

Thanks

[Oscar]

Yea Mettberry is great its only 20 minutes for the house

[Friscokidd]

dont know if this is north enough for ya or not, but try grand lake area. GREAT camping, but not sure of what trails there are out that way? We try to go out there at least 2-3 times each summer. Good for trail riding, 4wheeling and camping.

[jredmond]

sevenmile and greenridge are where I like to go camping

[Matt]

Probably a little harder than you'd like, but Lake Como on Blanca is always epic camping.

[zoriloco]

No that I wanna hijack the thread, but how's Bilmore Lake for camping.

[ni0h]

There're a couple pretty spectacular spots along Johnny Park. That's the only place I've camped along a trail.

[jimfoo]

No that I wanna hijack the thread, but how's Bilmore Lake for camping.
Bill Moore has some spots.

[zoriloco]

I did some camping around Cripple Creek Rd. Right past the entrance to Eagle Rock. It was pretty Sweet.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/zoriloco/APRIL16045.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/zoriloco/APRIL16051.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/zoriloco/APRIL16049.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/zoriloco/Campsite.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/zoriloco/APRIL16038.jpg

[Shakey]

I did some camping around Cripple Creek Rd. Right past the entrance to Eagle Rock. It was pretty Sweet.



While those are great pictures and make me want to visit the area, you do appear to be off trail.

It appears that the trail is in the background and you should have stayed parked on the trail in an appropriate area instead of driving to your campsite.

However, it appears that way, to me, from only those pictures. I could be incorrect and if so I apologize.

[Big Dave]

What's he suppsoed to do then? Move his rig everytime someone else comes by? To my knowledge, you are allowed to park your vehicle off a designated route when you are parking there to camp at an existing site, which that looks to be.

[Shakey]

What's he suppsoed to do then? Move his rig everytime someone else comes by? To my knowledge, you are allowed to park your vehicle off a designated route when you are parking there to camp at an existing site, which that looks to be.

I don't know, is that how it works? It's hard to keep up with all of these rules. I assumed that you were never supposed to go off trail, regardless of purpose. Is it now OK to drive off trail as long as you are "parking there to camp at an existing site."

I'm not trying to argue, just clear it up. I already admitted I could be wrong in my post above.

I always find a place on the trail where someone will be able to get around me. That way I don't have to move because I'm not blocking the trail. Of course, it does add the inconvenience to me of lugging my equipment to the campsite. But that's just how I assumed it was to be done and that's how I've always done it.

[JeepWheelin02]

You could always go camping in Buena Vista, lots of trails and its gorgeous. And it is within 3-4 hours of FOCO.

[Shakey]

I was bored, so I did a little research.

All of this could be wrong, but here's what I found.

Whether or not an individual can ever drive off of a trail is based on the status of the land. One, is the area classified as "open," "limited," or "closed" for purposes of the travel management plan.

If it's "open," more or less you can drive wherever you want. If it's "limited" or more specifically "limited to existing roads/trails" it means just that. "Closed" is self explanatory.

Then you have to look at the forest specific travel management plan. Those pictures were taken in the Pike National Forest (I assume based on the trail name). The Pike NF plan is here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/recreation/travel_management_rule.shtml

According to that:

"All of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests have been closed to cross-country motorized travel since the early 1990s.

In May, 2005, a new order (UFC-01-05) was established. The new order covers all of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and prohibits the possession or use of a motor vehicle off of National Forest System roads. It also prohibits the use of vehicle types except for those allowed by signing on any specific road or trail."

So I stand by that he is off trail. Unless I missed something with the caveat that one can drive off trail to get to an established campsite. Unfortunately, I don't have time now to look into it more. Let me know what you come up with.

[OdiN]

Anywhere with some decent hiking nearby up in northern CO?

Also - Greenridge looks good - however anyone know how hard that area has been hit by the pine beetle? Not fun camping in pines if they are all dead - not safe either.

[zoriloco]

I did speak with the Stay the Trail people and this is what was explaind to me.

If you are wheeling and get off trail there is a problem, if you pick a spot that has already a fire pit or campsite that is already there, you can park no further then 100 feet from the trail. Preferably 100 feet from any creek, river, etc. So no I was perfectly fine in that spot.

I did ask if this rule applies to all counties and they said "YES".

[Shakey]

I had no idea. Thanks for the heads up!

[zoriloco]

For sure, Yeah I had that same doubt a couple of weeks ago but Stay the trail was at the KBPI give away this Sat and got to talk to them. Cool people.

They gave me a sticker too, hahahahha:D

[jimfoo]

I did speak with the Stay the Trail people and this is what was explaind to me.

If you are wheeling and get off trail there is a problem, if you pick a spot that has already a fire pit or campsite that is already there, you can park no further then 100 feet from the trail. Preferably 100 feet from any creek, river, etc. So no I was perfectly fine in that spot.

I did ask if this rule applies to all counties and they said "YES".
I read a similar statement on th FS's sign down by Antero. However as new forest management plans go into effect, this may change, so it's always best to ask if you aren't sure. I seem to remember reading new regulations, which may or may not be in effect in certain districts that would change it to 1 car length off the trail.

[RJsfun]

I can't believe this post!!!
This is Colorado!!! Anywhere west of the front range is good. Listening to other city slickers advise on the same 10-20 well documented and heavily travelled trails sounds like a bad start.
Get out a map book, look for something that suits YOU, then ask for advise and go explore.

[jimfoo]

LOL, yeah, it's easier listing places not to camp.

[zoriloco]

Ok, just dont ban us from the forum please. hahahaha :D

I can't believe this post!!!
This is Colorado!!! Anywhere west of the front range is good. Listening to other city slickers advise on the same 10-20 well documented and heavily travelled trails sounds like a bad start.
Get out a map book, look for something that suits YOU, then ask for advise and go explore.

[Volcom]

Medano Pass near the Sand Dunes always has some great camp sites. Just watch out for the bears :eek:

[Dotcom]

I like camping near holly cross

if you can call what i do camping :bbq: :beer:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/nmwheeling/DSC04474.jpg

[zoriloco]

Medano Pass near the Sand Dunes always has some great camp sites. Just watch out for the bears :eek:

Ive been wanting to check out the sand dunes since last year. Anyone has pics of the place. Just to get an idea of how they are?

[jimfoo]

Big and sandy.:flipoff2: And when I went there, the CG in the park had the worst mosquitoes of anywhere in Colorado that I went that summer.

[Alpine Spirit]

There are some SWEEET camping spots out there... but that is like asking where your favorite fishing hole is.

[toxicware]

Medano is really nice, just a bit far to drive down to from up north.

Heres some pics.

http://ryangreene.net/galleries/Offroad/060107/index.html

[zoriloco]

Very nice pics!! Ill have to visit the spot. Thnx.

[Funrover]

Places I have camped/Planed to shortly:
Around Eagle Rock/Mt. Baldy
Sand dunes(Medeano Pass)
China Wall Area/trail
Lake Dillion(yeah this is an actual campground)
Rowdy Lake (outside of Montrose)


That is a good started list