Colorado July 2017

[Floridafrances]

Hi all,

We normally try to avoid making our month-long trip at this time of year, but circumstances beyond our control dictate our dates this time. Plan is to leave home Tuesday, June 27th and return a month, or so, later.

I've been researching here and other RV forums as well as other internet sites and decided if we're doing this, it was time to commit. So I've made our first reservation - Glacier Basin CG in Rocky Mountain NP for July 18th & 19th. Have a nice-looking site in Loop A which I was thankful to get. Moraine had only single, scattered nights available. I wanted to secure a spot in RMNP first, and build our trip around that.

In September, 2011, on the way from Glacier, Yellowstone and the Tetons we spend a week on the western side -a night in Fruita to go to Colorado National Monument (a hidden gem I'd never heard of) - the rest in Ouray to explore a bit. I know we only scratched the surface over there. So, although we want to concentrate more on the eastern side this trip, I'm open to suggestions for every part of the state.

Tom and I are reasonably fit for our ages(72&68) and love day hiking, photography, taking the Jeep on back roads (paved or not), and getting away from crowds to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Cities aren't our thing, although we do enjoy museums that focus on natural history, geology, early culture, etc.

I've gotten great advice here in the past (and hope I've given some, too, when able) so I'm looking forward to seeing your responses. And, yes, I'll be posting this in the "other" RV website forum. 😉

[Floridafrances]

Thanks for the update on Cottonwood Pass. Would have been on our list for sure.

We don't fly fish but sorry to hear how hard it is for those of you who do to access good spots.

[RedRocket204]

Thanks for the added info and yes, I do find that disappointing on the private land thing but is very par for the course here. I thought I had read of public fly fishing on the tail waters of the Taylor Park Res and appreciate the info. I know I have fished up river of the Res as there are a lot of open areas.

Here is the most recent info for regs downstream of the TP Res: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Fishery%20Survey%20Summaries/TaylorRiverbelowTaylorParkRes.pdf

[2gypsies1]

RedRocket204I wrote:
will just need to make the 1 hour extended trip to the south. I never go that way since Cottonwood is shorter but it will give me the opportunity to scout the river canyon for fly fishing.

We were really disappointed in the river fly fishing as it is all privately owned and off limits except for the campgrounds or by special permission. Even if there was no house there and it could be accessed from the road, you can't fish there. Bummer.

[RedRocket204]

Thunder Mountain wrote:

RedRocket204 wrote:
One last piece of info if you are down in Buena Vista. Someone might suggest heading over to Taylor Park since I see it mentioned you have a jeep. Taylor Park is an excellent place to go for some off roading but be aware that Buena Vista to Taylor Park via Cottonwood Pass will be closed 2017, possibly into 2018 as the road is improved and paved. You can still access Taylor Park but need to head south through Gunisson and then north. There is also Crested Butte up that way which is also very scenic and a great town.

Talked with a Chaffee County Commissioner the other day. West side of Cottonwood Pass closed this summer. The east side will be closed for repairs in 2018. I really hate this because we love camping and ATVing in Taylor Park.

Thanks for the update as the online posted info doesn't mention that detail. The online info only states possibly closed in 2018 but I'm sure the info you have is more accurate.

Completely agree as I'm still headed out there this summer myself for some boondocking and 5 days of riding my Grizzly. Love that place!

I will just need to make the 1 hour extended trip to the south. I never go that way since Cottonwood is shorter but it will give me the opportunity to scout the river canyon for fly fishing.

[Thunder_Mountai]

RedRocket204 wrote:
One last piece of info if you are down in Buena Vista. Someone might suggest heading over to Taylor Park since I see it mentioned you have a jeep. Taylor Park is an excellent place to go for some off roading but be aware that Buena Vista to Taylor Park via Cottonwood Pass will be closed 2017, possibly into 2018 as the road is improved and paved. You can still access Taylor Park but need to head south through Gunisson and then north. There is also Crested Butte up that way which is also very scenic and a great town.

Talked with a Chaffee County Commissioner the other day. West side of Cottonwood Pass closed this summer. The east side will be closed for repairs in 2018. I really hate this because we love camping and ATVing in Taylor Park.

[Floridafrances]

Have decided I was trying to cram too much into too little time. A bad habit of mine - I want to see it all, now. But I was making myself crazy trying to figure out how many nights here? How many there? What will we have to cut out, best routing, etc., etc.

So... I've decided, reluctantly, to pare down the scope of this trip. But there's just so much I want us to do in Colorado between the New Mexico and Wyoming state lines along the "eastern" Rockies. We'll just have come back again to see The Maroon Bells, Hanging Lake, and all the other wonderful places in that area. I'm fairly certain we can "force ourselves" to do that. 😉

I'm sure this will give us a much more relaxed and enjoyable visit.

[RedRocket204]

One last piece of info if you are down in Buena Vista. Someone might suggest heading over to Taylor Park since I see it mentioned you have a jeep. Taylor Park is an excellent place to go for some off roading but be aware that Buena Vista to Taylor Park via Cottonwood Pass will be closed 2017, possibly into 2018 as the road is improved and paved. You can still access Taylor Park but need to head south through Gunisson and then north. There is also Crested Butte up that way which is also very scenic and a great town.

[Floridafrances]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't say it enough. I wish I had months, instead weeks to explore all of these wonderful places.

I was able to get one night at the USFS Silver Queen CG in the Maroon Bells after we leave RMNP. Should insure a spot for sunrise photos if the weather co-operates.

I'll start checking into your other suggestions for somewhere else to stay to as much as possible of your other suggestions in that area.

Will also look into where to stay - probably at least a couple of spots - to see all we can between Salida and RMNP. So much around Buena Vista.

I can already feel another Colorado trip coming on.

[4runnerguy]

One more vote for Salida/Buena Vista/Leadville area. Turquoise Lake CG's fill early, so check down by Twin Lakes, up Chalk Creek, or O'Haver Lake near Salida (all NFS CG's). Hiking, fishing, 4x4 roads, ghost towns, lots to do. Plan on an afternoon/evening checking out downtown Salida's wonderful art shops and restaurants, then walk down by the river. We typically spend a week or two in this area every year.

Maroon Bells is gorgeous. (Tried to ride our bikes up there Sunday but got stopped by snow 1/2 mile from the lake.) A couple of NFS CG's are options in this area. Difficult NFS CG is east of Aspen on CO 82. With your toad you can't get there over Independence Pass so come through Glenwood and Aspen. (Note that Difficult is closing for the season in mid August this year, but you should be north before that.) Off CO 133 south of Carbondale there's Bogan Flats on the road to Crystal and Marble. Near Redstone there's Redstone CG. This NFS CG actually has a few sites with 15a electric and there are showers there. Besides Maroon Bells, spend some time exploring Redstone then head up to Marble and on to Crystal (and beyond with your jeep if you'd like). The quarry near Marble is where stone for the Tomb of the Unknowns and part of the Lincoln Memorial was mined. Still lots of Marble chunks laying around. The Lead King Basin Loop above Crystal has great flowers in late July. The road over Schofield Pass is quite challenging but gorgeous. On foot, explore further up into Lead King Basin or hike up toward West Maroon Pass on the other side of Schofield Pass to see some of the most amazing wildflower displays in the state. Something about the red rocks seems to make the flowers prolific and vibrant.

Besides the historic Hot Springs Pools here in town, there's also a new facility down by the river called Iron Mountain. It's actually a collection of a number of smaller pools rather than a couple of large ones like the big pool. More romantic. Lots of good restaurants in GWS. Slo-Groovin BBQ in Marble has outdoor seating in an amazing setting.

[RedRocket204]

vermilye wrote:
And, if you go to Glenwood Springs, a little further east will take you to a hike to Hanging Lake, well worth the climb.

Hanging Lake is a nice hike up to it but those not familiar with it should know it is an extremely popular hike that attracts a lot of people from out of the area. You need to do it either very early morning, or late evening as the parking lot fills up extremely quick and you can be waiting in line for people to free up parking spots. By the mention of early morning, plan to be there by 7am to get a spot.

[Lauren]

Like Thunder Mountain, we lived in Estes Park but moved out 14 years ago. Have been back a couple of time right after we left but have not been there for many reasons. Chaos is not a bad word to describe it.

But we go back to CO a lot; out favorite state for beauty. We will be in CO again this year....spending 58 days of mid latter to July into mid Sept. We love the Buena Vista area and that whole section of the state.

[vermilye]

And, if you go to Glenwood Springs, a little further east will take you to a hike to Hanging Lake, well worth the climb.

[RedRocket204]

I'll second on visiting Maroon Bells although it has a special meaning for me as I climbed North Maroon peak in the mid 90's. That climb is very much mountaineering so not suggesting it for a hike. Although, that area near the Bells is absolutely beautiful and a nice hike from the bus drop-off, which is close to Maroon Lake, continue hiking up to the base of the Bells at Crater Lake. you would not be disappointed.

Near that area are cool little towns, Basalt, El Jebel, Carbondale where you can find RV parks nearby and some GREAT fly fishing. Although I've not been there, Marble and Redstone are nearby and generally highly recommended. Although Glenwood Springs would be on the larger side of these towns, it is worth the visit to go soak in the Glenwood Hot Springs pool.

Another amazing area in CO that shouldn't be missed.

[profdant139]

Frances, the Maroon Bells area is crowded and busy, but for a good reason -- it is amazing. There are few decent RV parks nearby, and you have to plan your trip around the shuttle bus schedule. Maybe save it for an autumn trip?


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