VT-CO road trip, beta needed!

[Glap]

Did you go through Canada or right across I80?


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[HankScorpio]

Neither, I took rte 90 just about the while way until I hit Wyoming. On the way back I took rte. 94 through ND and did an amazing ride north of Bismark.

If I were to do it again (which I'd like to), I would go further south like you are.

[raisingarizona13]

Duluth looks pretty cool to me. If I go that way I'm definitely going to stop here for a day or two of riding.

[skaredshtles]

Thanks all. Current itinerary:
Day 1
Vt-State college/Rothrock

Day 2
State college-Brown cnty In

Day 3
Brown cnty-Wilson state park

Day 4
Wilson state park-Boulder

Days5-??
Boulder, front range, Fruita, Silverton and surrounding areas.

Lmk if you want to ride!!


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Fruita likely gonna be HOT. Silverton may not be ready yet. Plan accordingly.

[snowaddict91]

Fruita likely gonna be HOT. Silverton may not be ready yet. Plan accordingly.

If that's the case, there's a spot halfway between the two that should be perfect, okay maybe a little hot in June but not bad. PM me for beta on what's riding good when the time comes.

[skaredshtles]

If that's the case, there's a spot halfway between the two that should be perfect, okay maybe a little hot in June but not bad. PM me for beta on what's riding good when the time comes.

Yup - there are plenty of spots that would likely be suitable in June if Fruita is hotter than the surface of the sun (Salida, Hartman's, Steamboat, etc) - it's just good to keep alternatives in mind if it's 105F in Fruita and all the stuff above 11K is still covered in drifts.

[Glap]

Thanks skared and Snowaddict. I plan on packing rod and skis for alternative activities. Didn’t even think about Salida or Gunni for stops between Den and Silverton. I’ll definitely send a pm closer to departure.


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[skaredshtles]

Thanks skared and Snowaddict. I plan on packing rod and skis for alternative activities. Didn’t even think about Salida or Gunni for stops between Den and Silverton. I’ll definitely send a pm closer to departure.


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There are other things that would likely be in good shape as you head that way - including South Park, Buena Vista, Ridgeway, etc.

[smmokan]

Don’t sleep on Eagle that time of year, too.

[Name Redacted]

June is usually good most places below TL. I have ridden Doc Park and Westridge in mid June and thats a good test piece. Just depends on what kinda weather we have seen in the spring and winter before.

[One (+) Sentence]

Burning Mountain, right off I-70 in New Castle.

[jm2e]

I’d say really figure out if you’re looking for more XC or more enduro/DH. A lot of the stuff west of the Appalachians and East of the Rockies is XC. And I’ve heard numerous reports from people who said they stopped along the way and wish they hadn’t. “Repetitive, machine built, uphill both ways” But that’s just heresy.

If I was back there I’d do:
1) 2 days at Horsetooth Mountain in Ft Collins with evenings at the breweries.
2) 1 day on Crosier Mtn (near Estes). Nobody rides there. Best DH trail I’ve done in CO.
3) Skip anything local to Boulder. Too much traffic. Too much multi use conflict.
4) 2 days at Angel Fire bike park. Yes …… it’s that good.


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[smmokan]

FWIW to the OP, Crosier Mtn is janky AF. Bring your big boy pants for that one.

As for #3... I completely disagree. The two best trail systems (IMO) have virtually zero user conflict. Left Hand OHV can get busy on weekends, but during the week it's dead. And the other one, well, it's never busy and I'm happy to see other users out there.

[Glap]

I am fine with xc and enduro, dh huge hit bikepark stuff isn’t my jam. As long as I get to stretch my legs after 7-8hrs of driving I’ll be good.
Headed straight to Boulder after Wilson st park to ride and stay with a buddy l for a couple days. Will have to ask Smmokan for more details on his private stashes.


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[joetron]

Journeying from Boulder to Silverton will be way more interesting if you stay off i70. Like others have mentioned, Hwy 285 from Denver to BV/Salida, then 50 to Gunni, Montrose, Ridgeway. Or from Gunni you could go full scenic through Lake City and over Slumgullion Pass to Creede then Wolf Creek pass and hit some roadside corn along the way.
Town and mid elevation trails in Durango will be excellent in June, but yep, probably(hopefully) a little early for the high country stuff btwn Silv and Durango.


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[Glap]

Journeying from Boulder to Silverton will be way more interesting if you stay off i70. Like others have mentioned, Hwy 285 from Denver to BV/Salida, then 50 to Gunni, Montrose, Ridgeway. Or from Gunni you could go full scenic through Lake City and over Slumgullion Pass to Creede then Wolf Creek pass and hit some roadside corn along the way.
Town and mid elevation trails in Durango will be excellent in June, but yep, probably(hopefully) a little early for the high country stuff btwn Silv and Durango.


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This sounds like a winning idea. Thanks!


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[smmokan]

Apparently I can't quote posts from above.... but yeah, hit me up before you come out here and I'll give you some info. Depending on when it is, I'll get out for a ride with you (but I'll be gone the first half of June).

[BFD]

if you take Joetron's advice I am in south fork by wolf creek pass. I think June will be too early for riding up on the divide by spring creek and slumgullion. san luis valley will definitely have riding and the Rio Grande here is supposed to be a big deal for fishing. I would not count on corn turns especially this year. Get in touch if you want. Riding will not be crowded not sure about the river.

[jhyatt]

This trip will be awesome and congrats to your wife for getting into Hard Rock!
I have been back and forth some of these areas. My two cents is really don't stop on the way out there. just go for a little run or something but save the riding time for out there.
I hiked the colorado trail and Lake City is cool place with great trail going over that pass, but it's a lot of retired Texans but they are nice. But it's not like Leadville or something.
If you go on I70 there are great trails but not the cool towns like Salida. I rode near Minturn and it was sweet.
If you go nothern route, the riding on the Maah Daah Hey trail was awesome with a great little campground off of the interstate. get a shuttle up and ride back to town. you can do that a few different rides.
Over two summers I lived in my car and rode lots of different places in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana. The place I loved the most was around Sun Valley so Ketchum and Hailey and then north of there. The geology is such that it's just these smoother gravel singletrack waaayyy back into remote areas of the sawtooths. Awesome dispersed car camping. Cool town. Temps were good, also. Riding a huge loop all day seeing more bears than people but on good trails not the janky hiking trails here.
The riding around Teton Pass and the Idaho side was amazing.
Blah blah you will have a blast. be safe. drink lots of water.

[Shredhead]

This sounds like a winning idea. Thanks!


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If skiing is on the cards, driving over Independence Pass is mandatory.