Help Me Plan Our CO Trip

[2112]

We are planning a family road trip to CO in the last week of April and first week of May. Currently the plan is spending a night in Santa Fe, NM, 3 days in Durango, 3 days in Gunnison, 2 days in Buena Vista and 2 days in Cripple Creek. Nothing is cast in stone so any of this can change. We are hoteling it so no camper this trip but we are scouting camp sites for a future trip.

We are traveling in a 4WD 4-Runner in search of scenic drives, off-road activities, hot springs, accessible lakes and anything else of interest.

At this point the itinerary in Durango is the narrow gauge railroad, Drive to Mesa Verde, drive to Silverton (the train only goes half way this time of year), TRY to drive/hike to Silver Lake, hang out on Mineral Creek, check out the ghost towns, the girls will shop no doubt, and seek out some off road fun. What else is there to do in the Durango area?

Moving to Gunnison up 550 and then east on 50. We plan on driving to Crested Butte and some of the forest roads. Any advice on the best scenic routes and other activities here would be helpful. I don't believe we want to drive the whole Elk loop.

from here we are just killing time in Buena Vista and Cripple Creek looking for whatever we can find. We have ridden the Cripple Creek train in the past so no interest there.

Suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[2112]

The destinations of our trip have been finalized to include the Durango/Silverton area, Glenwood Springs, Aspen and Cripple Creek. As I mentioned before we are scouting camping locations and we would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks

[4runnerguy]

The San Juan Mountains around Silverton often have lots of snow in May and even into June. If the Silver Lake you are talking about is the one above Silverton, I'd be more than a little cautious about trying to get there that early in the year. Arrastra Gulch has lots of steep potential avalanche chutes it that is the way you are thinking about. If you're thinking taking the Kendall Mountain road and going up and over the ridge and dropping into Silver Lake, there's probably less avalanche issues, but I don't know how far up the road might be open that early. Dropping into the basin might be a fun slide, but make sure you're properly outfitted so you can kick your way back up the snow.

Besides Mesa Verde NP, check out the Anasazi Heritage Center near Dolores. Interesting museum and they can lead you to other, smaller sites that Mesa Verde (which will be limited because of the early season and possibly snow on some trails). Hovenweep in Utah is worth the drive if Mesa Verde is too snowy.

If you have some specific 4x4 trail in mind, go to this website. Scroll down to find the road you are interested in and you'll get an idea as to when things open up. You can also look back several years.

I think two days in Gunnison would be enough that time of year. It's cool there even in the middle of summer. Virtually no 4x4 roads will be open. Even Kebler Pass will probably still be closed. Take that extra day and add it to Durango or Salida.

Instead of Buena Vista, I'd look into staying in Salida. More restaurants, many interesting art galleries featuring works by local artists. Plus, it's lower in elevation and warmer if you're just walking around town. More motel options also. Several hot springs along the west side of the Arkansas River Valley, like Cottonwood and Mt Princeton. Never been to any of them, but just driving by, I'd probably opt for Mt. Princeton. You might be able to drive up to the ghost town of St. Elmo and poke around there. Worth the drive. As noted, the mining museum in Leadville is interesting. Good option if the weather is iffy. If you're looking for another train option, there's the Royal Gorge Train. Not steam, but an interesting trip in the bottom of the canyon.

[Busskipper]

2112 wrote:

2112 wrote:
I'll query all parties involved this weekend to see how this impacts their schedules and maybe decide on a later departure date.

Well, due to scheduling conflicts these dates are concrete.

Our intent is to escape our reality for a few weeks for a change of scenery. It's been decided to go enjoy what we find without over planning it.

I appreciate all the input. You're giving us insight on what to expect. We did change our Durango base camp from a hotel in town to a resort between Durango and Silverton. I think we will enjoy just chilling there breathing the fresh air for a few days 🙂

Keep the suggestions/comments coming.

If Chilling, Scouting and Fresh Air are the Mission then your original itinerary will likely be fine. Just a few more spots to Scout - Ouray and Trails - Telluride and Trails - Trout Lake - Lake City - Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Salida - Buena Vista Collegiate Peaks - Leadville - Twin Lakes - Turquoise Lake - Leadville - K's and Quincy's

Sounds like a great change of pace,

[2112]

2112 wrote:
I'll query all parties involved this weekend to see how this impacts their schedules and maybe decide on a later departure date.

Well, due to scheduling conflicts these dates are concrete.

Our intent is to escape our reality for a few weeks for a change of scenery. It's been decided to go enjoy what we find without over planning it.

I appreciate all the input. You're giving us insight on what to expect. We did change our Durango base camp from a hotel in town to a resort between Durango and Silverton. I think we will enjoy just chilling there breathing the fresh air for a few days 🙂

Keep the suggestions/comments coming.

[Thom02099]

Bionic Man wrote:

2112 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.

Good Point. Off roading is one of the draws. We play in the mud down here in the flat land but I don't know if I want to do that on a climb.

When I say "mud season", that is just what the towns call the times between their main seasons. If you are trying to off road that time of year it won't be mud, it will be deep, wet, snow.

We used to do a lot of ATVing. Late May is about the earliest you can really get out and do any trails. And even then, you will run into large snow drifts.

X2. Here in northern Colorado, most of the OHV trails are not going to be usable until after Memorial Day, and some don't open until July. Mud Season is what the locals in the resorts call the shoulder season between ski and summer seasons. But it's also true for OHV trails. Even trails that are open will have mud spots, and some of them will be epic. It is strongly discouraged to try to go around them, and if one gets stuck, you'll need to rely on other OHV users to help you get out, as tows are not going to be generally available.

Speaking from a perspective and experience in the Poudre Canyon and Red Feather Lakes area, June/July/August/September are going to be far better months for OHV fun. While your plans are for southern and central Colorado, the same points still hold true. Some of the best 4-wheeling in the state is down in the Lake City/Silverton/Ouray/Telluride area, and the above points are generally applicable there as well.

[RV_daytrader]

2112 wrote:

Tin-bender wrote:
Cumbres and Toltec railroad between Chama NM and Antonito CO is the best train ride in Colorado bar none.

Tinbender

Great suggestion. This is the type of information I'm looking for.

Unfortunately, it doesn't start running until the end of May.
I'm starting to think we may want to push our trip out a few weeks.

Have to disagree about the Cumbres and Toltec being the nicest steam RR ride...just looked at a video of that one and its not even close to being anywhere near as nice as the Durango-Silverton ride...all imo of course!!

[Bionic_Man]

2112 wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.

Good Point. Off roading is one of the draws. We play in the mud down here in the flat land but I don't know if I want to do that on a climb.

When I say "mud season", that is just what the towns call the times between their main seasons. If you are trying to off road that time of year it won't be mud, it will be deep, wet, snow.

We used to do a lot of ATVing. Late May is about the earliest you can really get out and do any trails. And even then, you will run into large snow drifts.

[Bionic_Man]

Busskipper wrote:

Bionic Man wrote:
Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.

You do understand that as all that snow melts they have one more season -RAFTING-

May be Muddy and the Water Cold but sure is FUN.

JMHO,

End of April/first of May is too early for most to go rafting. And that wasn't something that the OP mentioned he was interested in.

[2112]

Bionic Man wrote:
Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.

Good Point. Off roading is one of the draws. We play in the mud down here in the flat land but I don't know if I want to do that on a climb.

[Busskipper]

Bionic Man wrote:
Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.

You do understand that as all that snow melts they have one more season -RAFTING-

May be Muddy and the Water Cold but sure is FUN.

JMHO,

[Bionic_Man]

Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.

[agesilaus]

Get this book: 4WD Trails

It's apparently out of print but there are plenty of used and cheap copies available. There are three versions of the book that cover different sections of CO. And if you are interested in Utah there is an even better version for there.

[Busskipper]

2112 wrote:

IDman wrote:
Be prepared for snow, as Spring doesn't get to the mountains until June or later.

Thanks.
This is another reason to hold off at least a few weeks. I tried to reach Silver Lake in May before but too much snow prohibited it.

I'll query all parties involved this weekend to see how this impacts their schedules and maybe decide on a later departure date.

Not to come in late but - unless you are going thru the high passes and then camping there you will likely be fine. It may snow but the spring snow is like the early fall snows comes and goes quickly. take a look at the CDOT CAMS and you will see the roads are for the most part clear.

Yes you can and will get snow late (the natives will tell you they often get a snow to mess up the tulips) but it is usually short lives and if you just are prepared it (IMHO) will be great.

If you are worried,about the weather, then come up to GSDNP and have Buena Vista as the focus and branch out from there as weather permits.

My bet is you will have a great trip, and even better weather.

BOL,

[Dick_B]

If the bus tour is operating I would take the bus to Silverton and take advantage of the info broadcast by the drivers.
For more tourist info I would do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put Silverton or whatever in the blank space. Three days in Silverton seems like overkill to me.