Basecamp Colorado is Glenwood Springs Colorado

South Canyon Rapids are at the entrance of South Canyon on the Colorado River, 6 miles west of Glenwood Springs. They can be accessed via car by getting off at the South Canyon exit on I-70 and Crossing the bridge to park. This is a popular place with kayakers as the rapid has a powerful eddy that allowers kayakers to access the bottom part of the rapid over and over again with ease, and one of the highlights on an all day raft trip through Glenwood. There is a nice boat ramp here on the North side of the Colorado River and this can be and is a departure site for a lot of trips. There are fishing holes along here that can be accessed via the banks but they are fairly steep and most fishing through here is done on boats via guides. South Canyon in recent years has been the setting of two major fires, the Storm King Fire which originated across the river and the Coal Seam fire which started 4 miles up South Canyon. There are Hot Springs 1 mile up on the right hand side of the road. Park and follow the trail to the west over the creek and up the other bank. These have been destroyed a couple of times over the years but keep reappearing. Two pools able to hold about 10 people. The proximity to I-70 makes for a lot of diversity.

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Glenwood Springs Geography is defined by the two rivers that flow through, the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River. And like everywhere the confluence is a great place to fish. One can usually see the difference in the waters where they merge as the Roaring Fork flows clear and cold and the COlorado is usually not as clear and warmer. This is right down town and a popular place for fishing,and with multiple bridges in a couple hundred yards access to any side is easy for walkers. Follow the bike path west off of the 8th street bridge and you will see the confluence on the left hand side.

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Schofield was an old mining town and is now a ghost town with a number of old buildings still standing in a large, open meadow surrounded by the Majestic Peaks of the Elk Range. The first portion of the road passes through a narrow, steep canyon which contains a number of picturesque water falls. The Devil's Punch Bowl is a series of water falls ending in a deep pool of water. The East Fork Trailhead into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness can be accessed from this road.

This route should be attempt only by VERY SKILLED and EXPERIENCED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVERS in jeep-type, short-wheel based, high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. There have been SEVERAL FATAL ACCIDENTS on this road. Most accidents occur on the descent from Schofield Park to the Devil's Punch Bowl. One danger is due to drivers not drying out their brakes after a deep creek crossing before the steep descent to the Punch Bowl. Bikers pay attention to this deep water crossing, could be swift and dangerous early in the year. A snow bridge, formed by winter avalanche deposition, crosses the road about half way between Crystal and Schofield Park. Some years the snow bridge does not melt sufficiently to allow passage for motorized vehicles, but bikers and hikers may enjoy the cool hike across. The segment from Schofield Park to Schofield Pass is easy, as is the drive from the pass to Crested Butte, Gunnison County Maintains the road from the summit of the pass down to Crested Butte through Gothic. The entire route is popular with hikers and mountain bikers as well as four-wheel drive enthusiasts.If you are a biker Start at the top of Daniels hill outside Marble, and this is a two hour ride to Crested Butte or a little more. The Crystal side of this ride is rocky. At the Summit of Schofield pass look for the trail that heads up on the south side of the road. This is the 401 Trail, the best Single track in Colorado, it will drop you in to Gothic.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel south on Highway 133 approximately 22 miles to road #314 toward Marble. Continue driving on road #314 through Marble and past Beaver Lake. Here the road begins to head uphill and passes over shale rock. About one mile east of Marble is a fork in the road; take the right fork. The road immediately heads downhill and on to Crystal City. After Crystal City take the right fork of the road to Schofield Pass Road #317. Emerald lake is on the south side of the summit.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: May through September (NOTE: Snow may obstruct the road into the Summer months.) .

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

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Lead King Basin four-wheel drive road passes very close to the boundary of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and affords some spectacular views of mountains, meadows, and canyons. The basin is a great place to view a variety of wildflowers during the late summer. Three trailheads into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness are located along this road. The old bridge over the Crystal River between Crystal and Lead King Basin is not maintained by the forest service and located on private land. Please respect the privacy of these landowners.

For Bikers this is a loop from the top of Daniels hill. Park where legal and possible. For those who choose to do this in a clockwise fashion you will have one of the funnest downhills in the state, smooth four-wheel drive road with lots of rollers. Then a rocky section dropping into Crystal City where you will be awarded the most photographed ghost town in America, Crystal City and it's mill. One of the best trails to see fall foliage in Colorado.

The segment from Marble along Lost Trail Creek to Lead King Basin should not be traveled when it is wet! The road is built on slick shale and slopes towards the valley bottom. Four-wheel drive is required. From Lead King to Crystal City the road is very narrow and extremely rocky. There is a very steep drop-off into the Crystal River Canyon. There are few pullouts on this road and drivers may be required to back-up for considerable distances when another vehicle is met. A high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is required for this segment. A loop can be made from Marble by traveling along the Crystal River to Crystal City, and then returning to Marble via the Lead King Basin road.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel south on Colorado Highway 133 for 22 miles to the Marble turnoff. Go east on the Marble road, through Marble, and past Beaver Lake. The four-wheel drive section begins just past the Gold Pan Gallery. The road begins to head uphill and passes over shale rock. About one mile outside of Marble there is a fork in the road; take the left fork (Forest Road #315). the road immediately heads uphill.

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

Continue reading "Lead King Basin - Crystal City Four-Wheel Drive Road" »

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