Leadville 4WD Adventure, CO: (6/23-26/06)
- Thread starter Scott Brady
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goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
I'll vote for staying north and camping both nights. It is a simple matter of logistics for me. I am going to be tight on time anyway, and the drive down to Alpine will just add that much more time in the seat instead of visiting with friends and family.
I may not be able to make it either way on Friday though, and may instead opt to meet you guys Saturday morning somewhere near Breckenridge, which is an easy drive from Lafayette (I hope to not have to do this.....)
As for moving the hike to Monday....I'm not sure if I can swing that or not. Things are crazy at work, and I may need to be back here in Tucson to work on Wednsday...meaning I need to leave Colorado monday night. Driving the jeep that far in one day then getting up and pulling a 12 hour shift the next day doesn't sound too good to me. But if everyone wants to spend another day on the trail Sunday, I'm good with that. I'll be equally happy either way. I'm just getting excited about getting out onto the trail again.....this time in my old stomping grounds, with all you AZ guys! This is going to be a cool trip!
:jump:
I may not be able to make it either way on Friday though, and may instead opt to meet you guys Saturday morning somewhere near Breckenridge, which is an easy drive from Lafayette (I hope to not have to do this.....)
As for moving the hike to Monday....I'm not sure if I can swing that or not. Things are crazy at work, and I may need to be back here in Tucson to work on Wednsday...meaning I need to leave Colorado monday night. Driving the jeep that far in one day then getting up and pulling a 12 hour shift the next day doesn't sound too good to me. But if everyone wants to spend another day on the trail Sunday, I'm good with that. I'll be equally happy either way. I'm just getting excited about getting out onto the trail again.....this time in my old stomping grounds, with all you AZ guys! This is going to be a cool trip!
:jump:
Scott Brady
Founder
pskhaat said:
Does Thursday night work for you Scott? That might be a cool option
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
expeditionswest said:
Be advised that last year when we were pre-running trails for the 3FE Bash Radical Hill was still snowed in on July 10. It took a FZJ80 with 36" Swampers and lockers the better part of an hour of bashing (with a 34" Swamper'd and double locked FJ62 acting as the backing out tow truck) a snow field to open Radical and my little truck with 33" ATs and double lockers still needed a strap to make it through following their tracks. Just pointing this out in case the plans might assume the ability to connect US285, CO9 and US6. This early in the summer, it's entirely possible to hit an impassible section of trail, even for the super capable ExpoWest Taco. For a fun day just poking around, that is naturally not an issue and you can turn around. But, if you are planning to get somewhere specifically you need to cushion your times to include possible detours.
A Few Photos from the area
Oh, I also wanted to point out that while no where near where you'll be, the weekend of 6/24-25 is the Colorado Brewfest in Ft. Collins. They expect to tap some 300 kegs of beers native to our fair state...
:beer: Brewfest
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
Dave, thanks for the extra info. It is much appreciated.
I was under the impression that we would be meeting up on Friday in the Denver area and heading out for a Friday night camp. I was hoping to have some hours on Friday morning to make my way in to the Denver area so I didn't have to make it as far on Thursday. My plan was to leave AZ on Wed. night and try to hit some cool stuff along the way (I know I don't have much time - but I haven't crunched the numbers yet to see which route I could afford). Mesa verde was a thought, and/or the route through Durango, Silverton & Ouray. Does anyone have any time-frame (just for driving) figures for possible routes through those areas and getting to Denver?
Hiking on Monday could be tough for me. As much as I'd like to extend the trip another day, I'm not sure I can. Work is full-steam right now. But I am just fine with skipping the hike and just departing as I had scheduled on Monday if you guys would prefer to hit more 4wd trails on Sunday.
I was under the impression that we would be meeting up on Friday in the Denver area and heading out for a Friday night camp. I was hoping to have some hours on Friday morning to make my way in to the Denver area so I didn't have to make it as far on Thursday. My plan was to leave AZ on Wed. night and try to hit some cool stuff along the way (I know I don't have much time - but I haven't crunched the numbers yet to see which route I could afford). Mesa verde was a thought, and/or the route through Durango, Silverton & Ouray. Does anyone have any time-frame (just for driving) figures for possible routes through those areas and getting to Denver?
Hiking on Monday could be tough for me. As much as I'd like to extend the trip another day, I'm not sure I can. Work is full-steam right now. But I am just fine with skipping the hike and just departing as I had scheduled on Monday if you guys would prefer to hit more 4wd trails on Sunday.
Scott Brady
Founder
Ok, it is settled.
Thurs. night BBQ, Friday night camp, Saturday trails and Sunday hike. That way the AZ boys can all caravan back/camp together.
This may adjust our trail schedule for Saturday, to make sure we can get to the lakes Saturday night.
Thurs. night BBQ, Friday night camp, Saturday trails and Sunday hike. That way the AZ boys can all caravan back/camp together.
This may adjust our trail schedule for Saturday, to make sure we can get to the lakes Saturday night.
durango_60
Explorer
Sounds good to me, not sure if I'll make it to Denver for the BBQ but I'm in for the rest of the weekend.
BajaTaco, let me know if you are coming through Durango, I'll gladly caravan the rest of the way with you.
BajaTaco, let me know if you are coming through Durango, I'll gladly caravan the rest of the way with you.
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
pskhaat said:
Thanks. I also talked to Darren and he said
"...it is 5 hours from Ridgway (10 miles north of Ouray) to my home on the eastern side of Denver. The drive time is the exact same whether you head north to Grand Junction then over via I-70, or head east on Hwy 50 at Montrose, then north on 285 at Poncha Springs. I would probably recommend the latter as it is a bit more scenic.
It is about 80 miles from Durango to Ridgway and I would count on close to two hours for drive time for this awesome stretch."
So that helps a lot with my planning. Thanks guys.
Scott, at this point, do you know where/when exactly we are departing Denver for the trails?
durango_60
Explorer
BajaTaco said:
The quickest route is to take 285, but that has you skipping Silverton, Ouray, etc.. Getting to Denver usually takes 5.5-6 hrs, getting to Leadville should only take about 4 hrs from Durango, so I'm not sure if I want to go up to Denver and back down to Leadville, I guess it depends if I can make some good sales earlier in the week:ylsmoke: so I feel comfortable taking Thursday off as well.
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