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.

Posted by Brett at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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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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.) .

Continue reading "Thompson Creek Four-Wheel Drive Road" »

Posted by Brett at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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).

Continue reading "Red Table Four-Wheel Drive Road" »

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