Basecamp Colorado is Glenwood Springs Colorado

Mt. Thomas trail offers panoramic views to the south of Maroon Bells - Snowmass wilderness and to the North of the Gore range. The views of the Fryingpan and Eagle Valley are fantastic. Water is nonexistent for the entire length of the Red Table. This trail makes an excellent loop trail connecting with Ruedi Trail #1912. It is a very challenging and long trip.

Directions from Highway 82: Travel east on Hwy. 82 to Basalt and turn left at the stoplight. Turn left into downtown Basalt and follow the Fryingpan River Road about 22 miles towards Reudi Reservoir and turn left onto road #400, just past the bridge above Meredith. After a steep climb the road goes through Lime Park. Continue on road #400 to the top of Crooked Creek Pass, turning left onto a 4WD road just before the cattle guard. The road comes out to the power line and on the ridge top the trailhead sign is visible on the west side of the power line.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Summer Season: Memorial Day Weekend through October (NOTE: Road #400 is not maintained during the Winter and Spring months due to snow.) . Normal Winter Season: November through March (NOTE: Snowmobile travel, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are popular forms of travel on road #400 during the Winter months.) .

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Posted by Brett at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This trail accesses some of the finest deer and elk habitat in the country. It also provides scenic views of the Fryingpan Valley and Rocky Fork Creek. The first part of the trail is steep but flattens out on top with a short downhill to Rocky Fork Creek. It is hard to follow on top.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale, drive east on Hwy. 82 to Basalt. Turn left into downtown Basalt and follow the Fryingpan River Road to the inlet of Ruedi Reservoir (about23 miles). Turn right onto the dirt road just after the bridge that crosses the river. Drive past the campground entrance and take the first dirt road to the left. Drive past the house, take the right fork and follow the road to the gate. Park here and be sure not to block the road or gate. This trail is restricted to non-motorized traffic only. The first part of this trail crosses private property, please respect their rights.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Memorial Day Weekend through October (NOTE: Snow at high elevations prevents access to the Miller Divide Trail in the Spring, Fall, and Winter months.) .

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Posted by Brett at 04:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sellar and Diemer Lakes are near the west end of Forest Road #532. There is fishing and some dispersed camping opportunities at both of these lakes. A good place to view alpine scenery is at the eastern end of Mid Cunningham Creek Road.

This route provides a challenging side trip from the Hagerman Pass Road. It has some narrow, steep and rocky sections that will provide a challenge suitable for many four-wheel drive vehicles with adequate ground clearance.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel east on Highway 82 to Basalt. Turn left at the stoplight and travel through Basalt following the main street through town. this road is the Fryingpan River Road and travels out of Basalt following the Fryingpan River. From Basalt travel 27 miles until the pavement ends. turn left at the fork in the road, sta;ying on road #105 (Hagerman Pass Road). Travel on the all-weather road for four miles to Sellar Meadow, and take a left on to road #502. This will bring you to Sellar Lake.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through September (NOTE: A snow closure gate prevents automobiles from traveling this road in the Spring and Winter months.) .

Continue reading " Mid Cunningham Creek Four-Wheel Drive Road" »

Posted by Brett at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This route also makes a great loop for bicycles. For a bike loop, turn left at the end of the pavement and follow the road to the left towards Hagerman Pass. Before the pass you will turn right towards Ivanhoe Lake. Follow the road around Ivanhoe Lake and down to Lily Pad Lake. From here the trail becomes single track and leads back to the Fryingpan Lakes trailhead. From the trailhead follow the gravel road back to the pavement. The views from the trail are great with lots of open meadows.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel east on Hwy. 82 to Basalt. Turn left into downtown Basalt and follow the Fryingpan River Road about 32 miles to the end of the pavement. Most people like to park here and ride their bikes to make a loop ride, or if you are hiking the trail, you can continue to drive to the beginning of the trail. For a two and a half mile hike, turn right at the end of the pavement and drive to the end of the gravel road. The trail starts from the Fryingpan Lakes trailhead.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Winter Season: November through March (NOTE: The Lily Pad Lake Trail provides Winter access to the Betty Bear Hut in the 10th Mountain Division Hut system.) .

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Posted by Brett at 09:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This trail travels mostly through lodgepole pine and open meadows. The first 2 miles follow old logging roads with carsonite posts with arrows marking the route. There are two overlooks into Cattle Creek in the first mile with nice views. At the end of the trail you have two options: you can turn north onto Cattle Creek Trail which is 4 miles of rolling decent to Forest road #509 and 2 miles of road to the Basalt Mountain road. Your other option is the Red Table Trail. It is 1.6 miles to Toner Reservoir. The trail crosses the dam to the east side, then north with the grass growing over the trail making it difficult to see. After the reservoir it is a steady 3 mile climb of 2000 feet elevation gain to a road on Red Tables with a couple of great views on the way. Cattle graze in the area making lots of trails, so carry a compass and map to find your way. Please leave gates in the position that you found them. For safety, bicycles must yield to hikers, who in turn yield to horses. Keep your speed down and ride safely. To protect wildlife please leave your dog at home, this is an important wildlife area for elk. This trail should not be ridden prior to June 21st to avoid disturbing calving elk. Water is nonexistent, so plan accordingly. Enjoy.

The Cattle Creek Trail
THis is the end of the Basalt Mountain Trail going the other way.
The trail travels through aspens and meadows with patches of spruce and fir. It is hard to follow at times so be sure and carry a compass and map. Cattle graze in the area making lots of trails. Please leave gates in the position that you found them. For safety, bicycles must yield to hikers, who in turn yield to horses. Keep your speed down and ride safely. To protect wildlife please leave your dog at home; this is an important wildlife area for elk. This trail should not be ridden prior to June 21st annually to avoid disturbing calving elk.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale take Hwy. 82 east to El Jebel and turn left at the Texaco and head up through El Jebel and Missouri Heights for approximately 6 miles past Spring Park Reservoir. Here the road forks. Take the right fork onto forest road #509 for approximately 2 miles to the intersection of Cattle Creek and Basalt Mountain Roads. Turn right on road #524 and go 6 miles to the top of Basalt Mountain. The Trail starts by a locked gate and the bulletin board is 300 feet past the cattle guard on the top.

Continue reading "Basalt Mountain Trail - Cattle Creek Trail" »

Posted by Brett at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Basalt Mountain Road is accessible to two wheel drive vehicles to the top of the mountain. Two miles up the road it forks. The left fork is Cattle Creek Road, which is a four wheel drive road. The right fork is Basalt Mountain Road #524. There is a parking area at this junction for people that want to ride the Basalt Mountain-Cattle Creek bike trails or a loop. Go six miles to the top of Basalt Mountain. The bike trail starts by a locked gate and the bulletin board is 300 feet past the cattle guard on the top.

Directions from El Jebel: Travel east on Highway 82 to El Jebel. Turn left at the stoplight and follow the road past Spring Park Reservoir. Turn right after the reservoir on to the Basalt Mountain Road (FDR #524).

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through September (NOTE: Closed due to snow Nov- April) .

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Posted by Brett at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

From Aspen to Emma, this trail has been built from an abandoned Denver & Rio Grande Railroad railbed, hence the name, as many of Colorados trails are. This ensures gradual inclines and declines. This is a well-loved trail for hikers, bikers, in-line skaters and joggers and parallels the Roaring Fork River. It’s primarily flat, and the first couple of miles out of Aspen are on pavement, before it turns to crushed gravel to Woody Creek. An easy place to pick it up is across from the Aspen post office; from there you can go beyond Basalt. Eventually, it will connect with Glenwood Springs. The scenery runs the gamut: from views of the ski areas to small canyons and waterfalls. A popular outing is to bike to the Woody Creek Tavern for lunch. And don’t worry: You don’t necessarily have to walk or bike back. Buses to Aspen stop near the trailhead at the Upper Woody Creek Bridge, or you can call a taxi from the tavern.

Posted by Brett at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)