Trail recommendations for a CO newb

[Speedwagon]

Hey all, I just moved here to Colorado in February. I don't have a 4x4, but I do have a Ranger 4x2 with a slight lift(add-a-leaf in rear, soon to raise the front to level it out). Being new to Colorado, I was wondering if anyone could recommend some easier trails near Denver that I could go out on with this truck. Don't want to get in over my head, but I do want to start learning the basics until I can afford a good 4x4 trail type rig.

And I'm from Chicago, so even if I had offroaded back there, it'd just be mud.

[Big Dave]

Bunce School Rd should be doable in a 2WD once the snow melts. I wouldn't go any harder than that.

[zoriloco]

Once the snow melts there should be plenty of trails you can run. Mid June maybe. We've had tons of snow this year.

Welcome to Colorado :beer:

[Colin]

Post up in the staging area in the summer, get some expierenced people to come with you and have a blast.

I've drove both moody and sevenmile up north in 2wd, not bad at all if you take the right lines.

[jeeplvr79]

There's plenty of trails near the Springs that are 2wd... as well as west of Denver

Welcome to CO!!! :flipoff2: :beer: :flipoff2: :beer:

[MountainJeep]

just take some trips out to the "regular" forest service dirt roads. Buy a few maps from the USFS and go exploring.

have fun!

[Speedwagon]

Thanx for the suggestions guys. Are the lower roads safe to travel yet? Or is it still risky for snow/ice?

I suppose some good gear to have with me is a high lift jack, shovel, water, oil, etc... just in case. Anything else?

[ZappBranigan]

I drove plenty of roads in CO and WY in my 2wd Ranger. I did have an LSD (Auburn) so that helped a little. Helps to have some weight in the bed (I had a shell and carpet kit so this wasn't a problem.)

From my limited exposure it seems like many of the roads over 8000' are still pretty snowy. You can probably drive on packed/plowed roads but be careful and don't take any unneccessary risks. You will probably have to wait until mid-May before a lot of the higher roads even start opening. Also, we have had well over 100% of our normal snowpack this year so some of the higher trails might not open at all this year.

Get yourself Pike NF, White River NF, Arapahoe NF and San Isabel NF maps and take a look at the FS roads there. Most of the "main" roads are passable by 2wd vehicles most of the year. Some fun 2wd-accessible roads include Gold Camp Road to Cripple Creek, Boreas Pass between Breckenridge and Como, and quite a few roads in the Rampart Range area, which is close to the Metro area.

Also, if you are willing to drive a bit, once you are over on the Western slope there are lots of open areas that are easily accessible by a 2wd vehicle in good weather - the whole area around Craig and Meeker, for example.

[Colin]

In a 4x4 some roads are fine but to be perfectly honest your not going anywhere if there is snow or ice on the road. If you want to go out you need to find somewhere completly dry IMHO.

Good Advice Zapp.

[Funrover]

Mt. Herman/Rampart Range/ Old Stage Rd all these are good in 2WD

[Speedwagon]

I drove plenty of roads in CO and WY in my 2wd Ranger. I did have an LSD (Auburn) so that helped a little. Helps to have some weight in the bed (I had a shell and carpet kit so this wasn't a problem.)


I actually have an Auburn LSD that is going to be put in the truck soon. Had the dang thing for over a year, just haven't had the time or money to get it put into the truck. So that is on the list of things to do in the near future, after I replace my headgaskets on the truck.

[otisdog]

The biggest problem now is the snow - blocking most all trails including the easier ones that you could do. See if you can get in on some runs as a rider. That will give you an idea of what kind of vehicle you want etc.
Jim

[FORMULA51]

The biggest problem now is the snow - blocking most all trails including the easier ones that you could do. See if you can get in on some runs as a rider. That will give you an idea of what kind of vehicle you want etc.
Jim



x eleventy brazilians!

[chad]

Come join Denver Off-Road club. we don't require you to pay dues for the first couple of runs. Our club focuses on those new the the community.

www.denveroffroadclub.com

[rubbersidedown]

www.traildamage.com (http://www.traildamage.com) . . .for great info/pics/vids/maps of (most) all the trails around CO.

[74BuckinBronc]

www.4x4trails.net is also a great source.

J.D.

[pdrhound]

mt saxon should be doable. i saw a honda civic up there once

[ColoradoXJ]

the passes off the 285 corridor are fun/scenic and doable in 2wd. weston pass, boreas, guanella. :thumbsup:

[jimfoo]

Not as close, but probably a lot of the Fourmile area roads, and they will melt off a lot sooner than most front range roads.

[Bongo Boy]

Thanx for the suggestions guys. Are the lower roads safe to travel yet? Or is it still risky for snow/ice?I just discovered an incredibly fun, easy trail...just got home and of course, I'm sure it's a heckuva lot more fun at 11:45pm that during the day, but...

You'd take I-25 south to the Monument exit, and I think it's 2nd street (Hwy 105) in Monument that takes you west to a T, with Mitchell Ave being the north-south street. Turn south on Mitchell--there'll also be a sign that points to Mt Herman Rd. Take Mt Herman Rd (east from Mitchell) and keep your eyes open for FS 318, one of the dead-end FS roads off of Mt Herman Rd.

Now, dead-end forest service roads are seldom all that exciting and are usually fairly short, in my experience. But 318 has got to be one of the most fun dead-ends I've had the pleasure of driving--what a flippin' blast. Up, down, left, right...lots of 'waves' and swoops, etc. Fairly tight, twisty and steep in places, but nothing a 2wd can't handle now. I didn't hit any snow or water this evening...just a nice cruise. Try it, I found it exceptional.