Basecamp Colorado is Glenwood Springs Colorado

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.) .

Continue reading " Lily Pad Lake Trail" »

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

This road is not a four wheel drive road, but is very dangerous and slippery when wet. Do not drive on it if rain is in the forecast or it has recently rained!

It is a beautiful drive through aspen forests and some meadows with wildflowers. People use this road to access the National Forest land between Eagle and Ruedi Reservoir. Many excellent hiking trails and fishing streams are located in this region.

Crooked Creek Reservoir was recently acquired by the National Forest and is open for fishing and public use. From Crooked Creek Pass you can continue on to Sylvan Lake State Recreation Area and the town of Eagle. Users can also access the Eagle Lake Trail, Burnt Mountain Road and Lime Park. From Burnt Mountain road you can access Tellurium Lake and Last Chance Gulch Trails.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel east on Highway 82 and turn left at the stoplight at Basalt. Follow the Fryingpan River Road out of Basalt and towards Reudi Reservoir for 20 miles. Turn left on to road #400 just past Thomasville.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through September (NOTE: Snow closes the road during the Spring, Fall and Winter months.) .

Continue reading "Eagle/Thomasville Road" »

Posted by Brett at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Hagerman Pass area is a relaxing ride packed with lots of beautiful scenery. There are campgrounds at Turquoise lake and Ruedi Reservoir that provide convenient camping and fishing. The pass is close to leadville which has gas, food and lodging.

From the end of the pavement on the Fryingpan River Road is an all weather road until you reach the Lyle Lake Trailhead, three miles before the pass. Along this road there are two short sidetracks to some smaller lakes in the region. Forest road #502, near Coke Oven State Wildlife Area, takes you to Diemer and Sellar Lakes, and forest road #527, the right fork three miles before the pass, takes you to Ivanhoe Lake. All of these lakes are worth exploring. Continuing over the pass will take you to Turquoise Lake and the town of Leadville.

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 and then left again, staying on road #105. Travel on the all-weather road for 11 miles and take the left fork to Hagerman Pass. Here the road becomes suitable for high clearance vehicles only.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through September (NOTE: Snow and mud may obstruct the road during the Spring, Fall and Winter months.) .

Continue reading "Hagerman Pass Four-Wheel Drive Road" »

Posted by Brett at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

3.5 miles round-trip (Petroleum)
2.5 miles round-trip (Anderson)
If you want good fishing, wildly profuse wildflowers and a fun four-wheel-drive access road, then these easy trails are for you. A bonus: you’ll enjoy views of the beautiful Collegiate Wilderness peaks. Take Hwy. 82 east of Aspen 11 miles to Lincoln Creek Road. Turn right and drive 6.5 miles on the rocky, rutted road to the Portal Campground. From the campground, the road gets even rougher. Either drive or hike the last 3.3 miles to a fork in the road. Take the right fork, cross the creek and park on either side. This is very high-alpine area and will have snow late in the year. There is abundant fishing here.

The trail follows Anderson Creek, gradually ascending an old Jeep road as it passes through thick stands of fir before emerging into alpine tundra. You’ll see some privately owned log cabins at this point. About a mile in from the start, the road forks. The left fork goes to Anderson Lake, another quarter-mile. To access Petroleum Lake, retrace your steps from Anderson Lake and take the right fork. Petroleum is about .75 mile farther. Climb through some alpine meadows and tundra, and cross the lake’s outlet stream. Keep climbing; the lake is just ahead, beyond the rise on the left. Even more adventures await if you keep going uphill on the trail: an alpine pond and additional breathtaking views.

Continue reading "Petroleum & Anderson Lakes" »

Posted by Brett at 03:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1.5 miles round-trip
This is probably the busiest trail in the Aspen area, but it does afford an awesome view of the distinctive Maroon Bells, two pyramid-shaped twin peaks. Just be prepared for lots of company. (To access the Bells, see the directions for Buckskin Pass, above.) The trail follows the northwestern side of Maroon Lake and then leads to several beaver ponds. It’s great for families and lots of picture taking. From the far end of the lake, you can continue on to Crater Lake (see above).

Posted by Brett at 03:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

1.2 miles round-trip
Nearly all the way up Independence Pass, this high-alpine lake (with decent fishing) can be reached from a moderate, fairly short trail. Take Hwy. 82 east from Aspen to the last switchback before the pass (about 18 miles). The parking area and trailhead are on the left side.

From the parking area, the trail begins to the left of the Roaring Fork River. This also is the upper trailhead for the Lost Man Trail. In 200 yards, the trail forks; take the left fork to go to Linkins Lake. The trail ascends to a glacial cirque that shelters the lake, at 12,000 feet. Expect great views of the Continental Divide. And don’t mess with the 3-foot trees along the way — they may be up to 200 years old.

Posted by Brett at 03:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)