Basecamp Colorado is Glenwood Springs Colorado

Harvey Gap is at the Silt exit on I-70. Head north into Silt and left at the stoplight, mainstreet. Turn right at Seventh street. Follow the signs along county road 237 to Harvey Gap. The biggest motorboat allowed here is 25 horsepower or less. This lake is popular for fishing. Along with the usual fair of trout Harvey Gap also boasts Crawfish and Pike. It has a swimming area and is best noted for windsurfing. The lower elevation makes for warm summer temperatures. This is about 2/3 the size of Rifle gap and is 20 minutes from Glenwood Springs. There are some firepits and Restrooms. A $5 day fee or Parks Pass.

Posted by Brett at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Head North on Railroad Avenue and about a mile out of town on Highway 13 go right on highway 325, Go a couple miles to Rifle Gap. There is a park fee, $5 or Parks Pass. One of three lakes in the area that allow powerboats so waterskiing, wakeboarding, jetskis and all sports behind a boat are popular here. There is also windsurfing here and camping. This is a popular lake in the summertime, and like most Colorado Lakes the water level fluctuates during the year as water is in more need in late summer and more abundant in the early spring. Always wear your life vest and pick up trash. There are public restrooms. Fishing is also popular here whether you use flys and spinners from the bank or rapala and bait from a boat. There are even annual fly fishing contests in the winter. The Gap is the valley in the hogback where the dam is built and is the site of the famous Christo Curtain in the early seventies. Lower elevations promote warm temperatures which condone water activities.

Posted by Brett at 07:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is an extension of the Smuggler Road trails system and is a fairly well maintained 4 WD road that immediately begins a steep ascent. The road switchbacks up Smuggler with views of Aspen below. The switchbacks get longer and in about 1-1/2 miles the road curves behind Smuggler Mountain. There is a short steep path on the right leading to a platform, which is good for viewing Aspen.

To continue to Warren Lakes, keep straight on the road (left goes to Hunter Creek). In a short distance, keep straight again past the next left, the road becomes a more rugged 4 WD road and continues to ascend steeply. At the 2-1/2 mile mark there are some communication disks on the right. The road becomes even steeper until about the 3 mile mark, and then it eases. Shortly, the road becomes level with only brief steep sections until reaching the Forest Service bulletin board at the 6 mile mark. The road continues a short distance further to the gate at Warren Lakes. Beyond the gate is Private Land and Wilderness, please respect this and do not trespass.

Continue reading "Smuggler Mountain/Warren Lakes Road" »

Posted by Brett at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)