Looking for dispersed camping near Western NM bike/hike.

[crosscheck]

We are planning to swing by the western Colorado// NM area in May for some good mountain bike riding and hiking after a backpack trip in the GC.

We are intermediate riders and strong hikers.

What are your favourite hikes and rides? Probably can,t be too high up before hitting snow but have ridden above Flagstaff in May around 8300'.
Can hike in snow at any elevation.

Any dispersed , dry, state or municipal camping nearby?

We don,t require any hookups or services.

Thanks

Dave

[4runnerguy]

crosscheck wrote:
Must Be great in the summer but anything over 8000' might have a problem with snow in May.

Do check out my links for Boggy Draw, Durango, and Salida. There are a good sampling of trails lower down that should be clear by May. Fruita is generally clear already except for the occasional rain storm that muddies the trails up for a few days.

[crosscheck]

4runnerguy wrote:
A reply I made to a similar post about a month ago:

clicky

Some of the places I listed won't be open by May, but lots of info there.

BTW, have you checked out the Moab area just over the border in Utah?? In the last few years, they've added 120+ miles of singletrack! For maps and info, check out Moab Trails. I've been out there a couple of times already this spring. Esp. check out Klonzo, Klondike Bluffs, and the Brand (Bar M) trails.

Missed Moab last year but biked the 2 years previous. Slickrock, Bar M, Baby Toes loop, 7 mile rim, Mag 7 and a few others. Yes, they are expanding their trails.

We will pass through the area in May.

Thanks

Dave

[profdant139]

The north is nothing like the south -- and there are some decent hills on the Rainbow Rim trail. Nothing terrible, but we had to do a lot of gear shifting. Parts of the trail are through the trees, but most of it is right on the rim:






North Rim blog entry -- boondocking and riding

[crosscheck]

profdant139,

We will make it to the north rim this spring for some hiking and will see what is at the canyon for biking. If it anything like the south rim, it,s good for sight seeing, not good for climbing and downhills.

4runnerguy,

Made notes from your previous post on the Biking in Colorado. Must Be great in the summer but anything over 8000' might have a problem with snow in May.

I know you said that you were going the southern route to Vancouver this summer but Golden, Revelstoke , Salmon Arm and of course Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler all have great mountain biking/hiking. Do a Google search.

Thanks guys.

Dave

[4runnerguy]

A reply I made to a similar post about a month ago:

clicky

Some of the places I listed won't be open by May, but lots of info there.

BTW, have you checked out the Moab area just over the border in Utah?? In the last few years, they've added 120+ miles of singletrack! For maps and info, check out Moab Trails. I've been out there a couple of times already this spring. Esp. check out Klonzo, Klondike Bluffs, and the Brand (Bar M) trails.

[profdant139]

Dave, I have heard very good things about boondocking and mountain biking in the Manti La Sal mountains, near the Four Corners area:

Manti La Sal biking

Also, speaking of May in the high desert, have you ever camped out on the Rainbow Rim in the Kaibab Nat Forest on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon? We were there in late May, several years ago -- very cool and green, with a fantastic trail right on the edge of the canyon. We are (at best) intermediate non-technical riders and had no trouble with the trail -- several days of great riding and world-class camping.

[crosscheck]

Two Pedals, LewBob,

Will definitely check up on Dolores, Cortez and Durango for biking/hiking.

2Gypsis,

Hot springs near Pagosa Springs. Great idea.

ed6713,

Good camping website. Lots of info.

Thanks guys. I'll remember you in my will.

Dave

[LewBob]

Two Pedals wrote:
If its not too hot when you are there, the Phils World trails system just east of Cortez, CO is a great place to spend a day. The Rib Cage is one fun trail. There is a Forest Service campground about 20 miles north of there near McPhee Resevoir on the San Juan National Forest. There is a good bike shop in Cortez with maps. There are lots of trails near Durango but I haven't ridden any of them. For a map showing trails in that area of the southwest go to www.skidmap.com/ There is hiking to ruins in Sand Canyon, west of Cortez. Have fun!!

x2

The Boggy Draw recreation area near Dolores offers excellent biking and hiking trails too.

[smarty]

Be aware that at that time of year it is very common for snow to still be falling. We spent Memorial Weekend in South Fork, CO and it snowed all weekend.

[Two_Pedals]

If its not too hot when you are there, the Phils World trails system just east of Cortez, CO is a great place to spend a day. The Rib Cage is one fun trail. There is a Forest Service campground about 20 miles north of there near McPhee Resevoir on the San Juan National Forest. There is a good bike shop in Cortez with maps. There are lots of trails near Durango but I haven't ridden any of them. For a map showing trails in that area of the southwest go to www.skidmap.com/ There is hiking to ruins in Sand Canyon, west of Cortez. Have fun!!

[2gypsies1]

Double Post.

[2gypsies1]

Western Colorado - head to Pagosa Springs area. It would probably be snow-free on many of the gravel forest service roads in the area. Beautiful scenery and afterward spend a few hours soaking in the hot springs which are right in town along the river. There are about a dozen pools of varying temperatures. Ahhhhh!

[ed6713]

For finding public campgrounds and disbursed camping, it doesn't get much better then this.

Public campgrounds

Have fun:

ed

[crosscheck]

Eubanks,

I'll check on the info that you gave me in both places.

Thanks.

Dave