Colorado South to North without being on pavement (much)

Doc_Floyd · Post by **Doc_Floyd** » Wed May 29, 2019 5:34 am

Has anyone gone from South to North, i.e. to the Wyoming state line without being on pavement, or with but a few miles on pavement? It may be one of my last trips, due to advancing age and infirmity, but we are thinking about going north of Chama, entering the San Juan's, going to Summitville, passing by the head of Elwood Pass and coming out at Del Norte. Then on pavement briefly before entering the La Garita (or La Garta, I don't know which), exiting near Gunnison, thence to Pitkin, Tin Cup and Taylor Pass (much later in the season), to Aspen. From there, I am a bit confused, but considered going on pavement over Independence Pass to Leadville and west to Hagerman Pass meandering one of two ways, north or slightly west, but coming out near Gypsum or Eagle, and thence north (this part is a bit fuzzy as well) to Steamboat - from there it is short run north into Wyoming.

Suggestions, including pithy statements that such is stupid, are openly sought.

flj

Colo.TJ · Post by **Colo.TJ** » Wed May 29, 2019 8:36 am

It's dirt from Hahn's Peak Lake to Wyoming. With several routes to choose. Sounds fun and keep us posted.

kemosabee · Post by **kemosabee** » Wed May 29, 2019 8:45 am

Keep in mind the amount of snowfall we had this past year, check before you go.

teamextreme · Post by **teamextreme** » Wed May 29, 2019 9:10 am

Motorcyclists have charted off-pavement routes they call Backcountry Discovery Routes. In Colorado it's called the COBDR. Google that and you'll find a bunch of info on north/south routes. I haven't done the route yet, but plan to on my ADV bike sometime. I'm pretty sure it's all on roads though, no single track. As said above, this year will be a very late season due to snow. The highest passes may not open til late July or even August. I just read yesterday that the San Juans are over 600% of normal snow pack for this time of year.

kemosabee · Post by **kemosabee** » Wed May 29, 2019 11:27 am

teamextreme wrote: I just read yesterday that the San Juans are over 600% of normal snow pack for this time of year.

Theres quite a bit down here.. nice signature!

Jeff Mason · Post by **Jeff Mason** » Wed May 29, 2019 12:00 pm

teamextreme wrote:Motorcyclists have charted off-pavement routes they call Backcountry Discovery Routes. In Colorado it's called the COBDR. Google that and you'll find a bunch of info on north/south routes. I haven't done the route yet, but plan to on my ADV bike sometime. I'm pretty sure it's all on roads though, no single track. As said above, this year will be a very late season due to snow. The highest passes may not open til late July or even August. I just read yesterday that the San Juans are over 600% of normal snow pack for this time of year.

X2.

Chester70-2 · Post by **Chester70-2** » Thu May 30, 2019 4:41 am

This would be a fun trip. Sounds like next year maybe better.

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teamextreme · Post by **teamextreme** » Thu May 30, 2019 12:47 pm

kemosabee wrote:Theres quite a bit down here.. nice signature!

Hey, you stole my signature!

Doc_Floyd · Post by **Doc_Floyd** » Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:52 am

It is nice to see handles of folk whose threads I have read, or with whom I have communicated on this forum, for some years. And suggestions will be taken to heart - we did not anticipate more than a narrow window this year for travel due to the late season snowpack. Heck, even Trail Ridge Road is yet closed (though close to be open) - with 30+' drifts. We are taking a granddaughter on a tour of national parks, and I fear that RMNP Trail Ridge Road won't be open on the 10th when we are scheduled to be there, but it will be close. And, finally, yes I am not particularly interested in tearing up my jeep, as I would like to drive it back home, which means some gnarly trails I used to approach with impunity are treated with more respect, and I avoid some. I will never do Blanca, though have always wanted so to do. Likely will never do Holy Cross either. But had fun once over Red Cone and Radical Hill - when the alternator went out on the way up Red Cone, and drove into Breck on the battery! Then, of course, there was the year in early Sept. when my colleague traveling with me and I rescued some bow hunter nitwits who had gone in part way up Pearl Pass, got caught in heavy early snow, and had a flat-bed trailer loaded with ORV's, and couldn't get out - I took their trailer out, having chains and lockers on all four wheels.. Oh well, good memories.