Basecamp Colorado is Glenwood Springs Colorado

The JQS Trail North and West of Rifle Colorado, 20 minutes west of Glenwood Springs on I-70 is approximately 4 miles northwest of Rifle. This unit embodies Anvil Points, the dominate landscape feature north of I-70 and the adjacent steep and picturesque southeast-facing cliffs of the Roan Plateau. The main road takes off opposite the Rifle Gap road by the bowling alley. It is a dirt road that will climb the cliff face to the top of the Roan Plateau for 4 miles and 1,500 ft. The beauty of this area is all of the side roads. Multiple loops with ups and downs, chances for lots of air. Hot in the summer. This area is popular for motorcycles, mountain bikers, because of access to the plateau it is staging area for horses. JQS was a cattle brand used by H.W. Hallett — a prominent citizen and early founder of Rifle. In 1885, Hallett and a man named William (Billy) Chadwick established the JQS Trail — one of six stock trails that led from the Grand Valley to the top of the Bookcliffs, now referred to as the Roan Plateau.

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Go south out of Glenwood and turn left on County Road 115, Red Canyon. This will be a dirt raod that turns to chip and seal further up. When the road flattens out on Spring Valley, stay to the left and then take County Road 120 to the left. Head uphill until you reach the parking lot on the right, 1.5 miles. There are some shortcuts here, you will get where you need as long as you head uphill. Take either of the dirt roads at the back of the parking lot and stay to the right. This is the trail to Hubbards Cave. This is a dirt 4-wheel drive road and is maintained by the local 4 wheel drive club, garbage pick-up? The road will be up and down but basically still going uphill until you hit the gate at the top of the hill. Head downhill and then back up hill. Go straight you will go to hubbards Cave. Not the most technical road but can get nasty when wet. Check out caving manuals for more on the cave.

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The Transfer Trail leads to the hills to the North of Glenwood Springs and will take you up to the Flattops.. It begins from Travers Road, off Rt. 6 between Glenwood Springs and West Glenwood. Go west under the tram and take a right, a quarter mile up you will see a road to the right with the trail head sign. The first part of this is a maintained gravel road used heavily by the Glenwood Caverns and quarry trucks. At the first saddle where you can look into No Name the road turns into a rocky four wheel drive road heading North. This raod will be a long solid uphill. 9 miles will get you to Windy Point. Those who make it will catch one of the best views in Colorado looking into the No Name Drainage. At this point the road flattens out all the way across the Flattops.At various places along the way you can get views south to downtown GS, west to West Glenwood, and east to No Name. This is a popular four wheel drive road as some place can be a little technical. There are some forks but they all lead to the same place as long as you head up. Another good view is the Oasis Creek Overlook on the drainage to the west. Going down this road from Windy Point will offer the biker to have the funnest downhill in the state. There are many rollers on straight, downhill, smooth dirt that one catch good air. Avoid this road when it is raining, it is steep and slick.

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Thompson Creek Road provides access for many hiking and biking trails including the following: South Thompson, Lake Ridge Lakes, Mid Thompson, South Branch of Mid Thompson and Dexter Park. This area is primarily used by bicyclists, horseback riders and hunters. It passes through aspen groves and crosses many small streams. In the lower region there is an extensive system of Cross country ski trails in the winter.

The road is accessible to two-wheel drive vehicles until reaching the stream crossing at Middle Thompson unless it is raining. Impassable when wet. Users will need a high-clearance four-wheel drive to cross the stream and for the road afterward. Continue driving 3.9 miles on road #305 until you reach a fork in the road. Take the right fork to access road #306 and Mid Thompson, the South Branch of Mid Thompson, Dexter Park and Lake Ridge Lake Trails. Take the left fork to stay on road #305 to access South Thompson.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale follow road #108 west past the stoplight. Follow road #108 for 7.5 miles and turn left on to Mid Thompson Creek Road #305.

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

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This road climbs from the Taylor River Valley in the Crested Butte region, over Taylor Pass, to the Castle Creek Valley, near Ashcroft and Aspen. For mountain bikers this can be one leg of a weekend excursion to Crested Butte coming back on Pearl Pass. The road climbs steadily through Aspen groves after leaving the Taylor River Road. After following a stream for 3 miles, you will reach Taylor Lake. Taylor Pass is reached after a short climb above the lake. This road can be very rough at times, check at District Office before using.

Directions from Aspen: Drive west on Highway 82 from Aspen 1/2 mile. At the roundabout, turn onto Castle Creek Road. Drive about 11 miles, just past Elk Mountain Lodge and before the ghost town of Ashcroft, on your left will be Express Creek Road. Take Express Creek Road for approximately six miles. Pass the first road on your right and take the next one. This is Taylor Pass Road #761.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Summer Season: June through September (NOTE: Open but not maintained for off-road vehicle, mountain bike, horse and foot travel during the Summer months.) . Normal Winter Season: November through May (NOTE: Open but not maintained for recreational purposes.) .

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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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The road is accessible by two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles until users reach the FAA radar and radio beacon. From there the road becomes rougher and a four-wheel drive is necessary. The road follows a ridge line to the Mt. Thomas Trailhead (trail #1870). One mile before the trailhead it turns downhill and becomes road #425, which follows Red Creek to road #412 to Gypsum. This portion is suited only for short wheel based, high clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles and EXPERIENCED OFF-ROAD DRIVERS. Users should turn left at the fork to follow road #425. Access to Crooked Creek Pass and Eagle is obtainable from Road #412. Users can also gain access to the Ruedi Trail #1912 from the top of Red Tables Road. Follow Red Tables Road to its end to get to the trailhead for Mt. Thomas. Red Table Road travels through dense conifer forests and open, high alpine meadows. There are spectacular 360 degree views once you reach the ridge line.

Directions from Carbondale: From Carbondale travel east on Highway 82 to El Jebel. Turn left at the stoplight and follow the road past Spring Park Reservoir. Turn left at the for after the reservoir. In two miles turn right at the fork following the sign to Cottonwood Pass. Cottonwood Pass itself has a is a unique maintained dirt road that will become extremely greasy with a little rain, wait till the storm passes for scenic drives. After the pass, turn right on to the Red Tables Road (Forest Road #514).

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Despite the likelihood of snow on the road well into July, the Pearl Pass Road is heavily used especially on weekends. The road is very rocky and steep in sections and often impassable in a vehicle, on mtn. bike some of this road is over skree fields. The first 1/2 mile is fairly level, then it begins to climb. There are some steep uphill sections and at approximately 1 1/2 miles, crosses a foot bridge. The road continues to climb through spruce groves crossing a vehicle bridge and immediately becoming steeper and rugged. At approximately 3 miles up the road, the Mace cabin is passed on the right. A quarter mile past the cabin the road forks. Keep left (The right fork goes to the Montezuma Basin, refer to the handout), the road climbs steeply, and there are rough, rocky sections. This pass will allow you to go to Crested Butte. A good weekend trip, over Pearl on Saturday back via Schofeild on Sunday.

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There is often snow on the road well into July. The lower section of the road receives heavy use, especially on the weekends. This road is very rugged, and in some sections is located in a stream. It climbs well above the timberline and continues for a mile or so, through fields of rocks tinted with a lichen of various colors. This road was built to serve the Montezuma Mine and debris from the operation of the mine may be seen along the way.

The first 1/2 mile is fairly level, then begins to climb. There are some steep uphill sections and at the 1 1/2 mile mark there is a foot bridge. At the bridge you will need to cross the stream. The road continues to climb through spruce groves crossing a vehicle bridge and immediately becoming steeper and more rugged. Three miles up the road, the Mace cabin is passed on the right. A quarter mile past the cabin, the road to Pearl Pass forks steeply to the left (Refer to the Pearl Pass handout for more information on this route). At this fork bear right. Keeping right, the road soon climbs some steep, continuous switchbacks. The road is very narrow and rugged in some areas. The road ends at the parking area for Castle Peak.

Continue reading "Montezuma Basin Four-Wheel Drive Road" »

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This is a fairly well maintained dirt road with several steep sections. This road is not used by four-wheel drivers as much as Little Annie or Summer Roads. A loop ride can be made by going up Midnight Mine and down Little Annie or a longer route down Summer Road. The road follows Queens Gulch, passing through aspen and fir stands.

The road begins with a short descend; then crosses a bridge and begins its continuous uphill climb. There are numerous private drives, please stay on the main road. The road becomes steeper with several switchbacks. In approximately 2 miles there is a cabin on the left and a large mound of mine tailings on the right. The road climbs steeply between them, continuing to ascend to the junction with Little Annie Road at about the 4 mile mark. Stay left to continue to the top of Aspen Mountain and the Sundeck Restaurant. From the top you can access Richmond Hill Road (which follows the ridge behind Aspen Mountain), or Summer Road (which goes down the front of Aspen Mountain).

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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" »

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This road is fairly well maintained. It is used heavily by 4 WD's, especially on weekends. A loop ride can be made by going up Little Annie Road and down Midnight Mine Road, or a longer trip down Summer Road. This is a very scenic ride with great views of the Castle Creek Valley.

The road climbs gradually, with several private drives along the first few miles, please stay on the main road. The road becomes steeper and climbs to the intersection with Midnight Mine Road in a little over 3 miles. Stay straight to continue to the top of Aspen Mountain. The last section climbs to the top of Aspen Mountain and the Sundeck Restaurant. There are spectacular views in all directions. From the top you can access Richmond Hill Road (which follows the ridge behind Aspen Mountain), or Summer Road (which goes down the front of Aspen Mountain).

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Kobey Park is an old logging area with many spur roads winding through it. There are beautiful views of the Elk Mountains to the south. This is a fairly well maintained 4 WD road, used by mountain bikes, 4 WD's, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles in the winter. From Lenado continue up the 4 WD road. This road is sometimes called Christmas Tree Road since it winds back and forth around the mountain. There are numerous spur roads, stay on the main road. At the intersection, between Road 103 and 508, keep straight on Road 508 to Kobey Park (Road 103 goes to the right and heads to Margy's Hut).

Directions from Aspen: Travel west 7 miles from Aspen on Highway 82 to the Woody Creek turnoff on your right. At the bottom of the hill and across the bridge turn left to the Woody Creek Tavern. About a 1/4 mile past the tavern make a sharp right onto Road 18 and drive 10 miles to Lenado. From there continue on the road to Kobey Park.

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

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The Crown Trail is a four wheel drive road that is a 8 mile loop that has incredible views.
From Carbondale head out Prince Creek Road past where the pavemant ends, 1.5 miles on the left you will see a gravel road come in from the laft behind you. This can either be the start or finish to the loop. To go counter clockwise has a steeper shorter climb with a longer smoother downhill. Either way you will have incredible views of Sopris and the Elk Mountains and the whole roaring fork valley. This is an easy short Four Wheel Drive loop but there are a couple of other loops off of the main road. Not much more technical.

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This is a popular high-altitude jeep route beginning at Express Creek Road. Because of the altitude snow is often present well into mid-July. From the top of Taylor Pass you can see Taylor Lake below and magnificent views of the Castle Creek Valley and surrounding peaks. Once at the pass, you are offered several choices of extending your trip by making a loop back to Aspen via Richmond Hill Road; or travel to Crested Butte along the Taylor River making a full day trip.

The first 1/8 mile is fairly flat, the road soon crosses a bridge and begins to climb steeply. There are several private drives along the first mile, stay on the main road. In approximately 2 miles, there is a spur to the right, again follow the main road. The road becomes a little steeper and in another 1-3/4 miles begins a long steep uphill. The road crosses a bridge and is very steep the last mile.

Directions from Aspen: Drive west on Highway 82 from Aspen 1/2 mile. At the roundabout, turn onto Castle Creek Road. Drive about 11 miles, just past Elk Mountain Lodge and before the ghost town of Ashcroft, on your left will be Express Creek Road.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Summer Season: June through September (NOTE: You may find snow on the road through Mid-July.) . Normal Winter Season: November through April (NOTE: This road is not maintained for vehicular traffic in the Winter and is used for recreation.) .

Continue reading "Express Creek Road to Taylor Pass Road" »

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The trail starts out through a pine forest, then opens up into large meadows on the top. The descent into coal basin travels mostly through aspens and is hard to follow. This trail makes a pleasant day trip to the top to view Coal Basin and back.

Directions from Carbondale: From the Forest Service office in Carbondale, travel west on Main Street,past the stoplight and follow county road #108 for 7.4 miles. Turn left onto a dirt road that immediately goes downhill. The road goes downhill for 2.5 miles to a stream crossing, then uphill for about a mile to a pass. In an other half mile take the right fork onto road #306. At the end of the railroad grade, the road goes uphill, across Middle Thompson Creek, and continues on past Lake Ridge Lakes Trail for about one mile. Just before the end of the road,Dexter Park Trail is on the south side of the road. It is fairly hard to find but it is shortly after the road makes a turn west and sits in a meadow. Road #306 is a 4WD road.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Memorial Day Weekend through Mid-Fall (NOTE: Snow may obstruct the trail at high elevations during the Spring and Fall months.) .

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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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The road crosses a bridge and heads downhill past Lincoln Gulch campground. The road rolls up and down with some steep uphill sections that levels out on top. The road follows Lincoln Creek with an uphill/downhill pattern to Grizzly Reservoir at the 6 mile mark. To continue to the ghost town of Ruby, stay on the main road which curves to the southeast of the reservoir and past Portal Campground. The road climbs easily to the ruins of an old mining cabin at the 9 mile mark. The road forks another 1/2 mile, take the left fork. The ghost town of Ruby is a short distance before the road ends.

Directions from Aspen: Access to Lincoln Creek Road is located 11 miles Southeast of the community of Aspen on Highway 82, and then 1.2 miles on Lincoln Creek Road within a grove of aspen trees.

Seasonal Information:
Normal Summer Season: June through September (NOTE: The road may be very muddy with some snow in Early June.) .

Continue reading "Lincoln Creek Road, #106" »

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Hubbard Cave Road takes you to within 1/4 mile of Hubbard Cave. Hike the trail to the cave which has approximately 3,000 feet of passage with a vertical relief of only 50 feet. Geologists think the cave was formed by an explosion caused by a stream derived from groundwater in the lower beds of Leadville Limestone and Dyer Dolomite. The cave is a rectangular network of three parallel passages, each with its own entrance. There are large quantities of cave coral, but it is mostly restricted to the upper level. The Grape Room, deep in the cave has unusual small, rounded botryoid formations. The Gypsum room has a large concentration of gypsum flowers, gypsum blisters, selenite needles and angel's hair. remember, all cave features are protected by law. Help preserve this natural wonder for future generations to enjoy.

Directions from Glenwood Springs: Follow Highway 82 east from Glenwood Springs for three miles. Take a left onto Red Canyon Road (County Road #115). Go 2 1/2 miles and take a left into an open area and past a gravel pit. Travel two miles and take a right on to a rough four-wheel drive road that winds up the hill. CAUTION: this road is impassable when wet! The road is also extremely narrow, with scrub oak hanging into the road which will scratch wider vehicles. After going 4 1/2 miles, there is a parking area with a trail register near the entrance of the cave. There are no facilities at this site.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: April through October (NOTE: Spring rain and Early snow may make this road impassable.) .

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