Great Sand Dunes/Pagosa Springs Dec 14-17

[Roverholic]

Hey All,
Medano Pass will most likely be closed but I'd still like to explore the area. Also planning to head over towards Pagosa or maybe Creede...who knows. Since I missed my Baja trip I'm itching to get out and explore something...
If anyone has any ideas on a better (warmer) 4 day trip I'm open to suggestions.
Cheers,
Paul

 

[Pskhaat]

You live in Conifer? How long you been there? Grew up for many years in Evergreen and family still has a place there where we are often (like this last week).

Great Sand Dunes are a great time, but the San Luis Valley can get pretty chilly as you know this time of year! 4-day weekend from the front range? SE Utah is just so doable I can never resist, plus as of last Sunday, there's still no snow, mid 50s and all areas are drivable.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

if not for being in such a small company, i'd bag the company holiday dinner and come with .

medano pass is a very easy trail but looks like it could get rough right at the top if the snow is deep. if you can drive up the pass, the last campsite is #62 i think...the gate is just up the hill--thats from the park side, not the eastern face front range side. if you can drive up, you can drive down, if you're careful.

personally i'd go for utah myself as well.

 

[Roverholic]

Hey Scott,
Moved here from Oceanside CA in April. I’m off Black Mtn Rd. near the Brook Forest Inn. Gimme a call next time you’re up so we can grab a beer!

I’m thinking if we get REALLY cold weather (like this week) I may head to UT but I’ve been to Moab 4 times since April. Have not really explored anything south of Buena Vista yet…

That being said, maybe I could find a dirt road going from Fruita to Moab or even further to Canyonlands.

 

[Pskhaat]

You may also be keen on looking North of I-70 from Cisco into the Book Cliffs. Also, there's a huge amount of personally unexplored areas South of Cisco across the Colorado.

 

[Roverholic]

Right on. I think I'll just keep gathering ideas like this and then hit weather.com before the trip. 50 during the day and 30 at night in UT is sounding a lot better than 30 during the day and 0 at night in CO.
This may be influenced by the fact that I just spent an hour plowing the driveway!
Cheers.
:1888fbbd:

 

[Scott Brady]

I remember reading about a route from Colorado to Moab, completely off-highway and even through the La Sal's.

That would be a very fun trip

 

[devinsixtyseven]

I remember reading about a route from Colorado to Moab, completely off-highway and even through the La Sal's.

That would be a very fun trip

doesnt pangaea take that route? follows part of kokopelli's trail?

 

[bigreen505]

Scott, we were discussing that at our happy hour. I think Kristian (Upcruiser) knew where it was. You might want to PM him. I'm really not sure what is passable this time of year and what is not.

 

[Roverholic]

I've heard of this trail as well and that would be awesome. Just PM'd Upcruiser...

 

[Roverholic]

No word back yet from Kristian, anyone else know where I could find some info on the CO-Moab trail? All I've been able to find so far is Hut to Hut info from Durango or Telluride.
Damn, I've never had to contend w/ the "snow factor" before having had Baja as my back yard in the past.:campfire: