Comanche National Grassland?

[NMC_EXP]

Most everyone heads for the hills when they want to do some 4-wheeling.

Does anyone have experience in the Comanche Natl Grasslands as far as 4WD tracks, scenery, camping...etc?

Jim

[Max]

TIL Colorado borders Oklahoma.

[The StRanger]

Isnt that up by Greality ??

[Tom]

Isnt that up by Greality ??you are thinking Pawnee grasslands. Comanche is South east I believe.

[Jim]

I've spent some time poking about Pawnee (_JUST_ drove through there on CO-14 coming back from IL). Most of my driving - graded & 2-track - has been in my honda car (2-track needed some care to not bottom out in select spots. I'd also not go with 2WD only if ground was wet/muddy). There is some nice "get away" scenery out there.

[NMC_EXP]

Isnt that up by Greality ??

I should have been more specific - Comanche Grassland is near LaJunta.

[NMC_EXP]

I've spent some time poking about Pawnee (_JUST_ drove through there on CO-14 coming back from IL). Most of my driving - graded & 2-track - has been in my honda car (2-track needed some care to not bottom out in select spots. I'd also not go with 2WD only if ground was wet/muddy). There is some nice "get away" scenery out there.

Comanche Grassland is near LaJunta and closer to home for me. I know there are some canyons there. The Picketwire Canyon has the biggest collection of dinosaur tracks in the US.

Link to the FS website:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQ oY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjJNMD AwMDAwMDA!/?navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=fsm9_032695&navid=170110000000000&pnavid=170000000000000&ss=110212&position=Not%20Yet%20Determined.Html&ttype=detail&pname=Pike%20and%20San%20Isabel%20National%20Fores ts,%20Cimarron%20and%20Comanche%20National%20Grass lands-%20Districts

[Tom]

Comanche Grassland is near LaJunta and closer to home for me. I know there are some canyons there. The Picketwire Canyon has the biggest collection of dinosaur tracks in the US.

Link to the FS website:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQ oY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjJNMD AwMDAwMDA!/?navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=fsm9_032695&navid=170110000000000&pnavid=170000000000000&ss=110212&position=Not%20Yet%20Determined.Html&ttype=detail&pname=Pike%20and%20San%20Isabel%20National%20Fores ts,%20Cimarron%20and%20Comanche%20National%20Grass lands-%20Districts

Thanks for the link. I've never been there but have been to Pawnee. Comanche looks a whole lot for fun/interesting.

[NMC_EXP]

I looks like its worth a visit. It is hot out there in the summer. I'm thinking spring might be a good time since the high stuff is still snowed shut.

[The StRanger]

I should have been more specific - Comanche Grassland is near LaJunta.

I think I kinda dont think of east when wheeling !

[NMC_EXP]

I think I kinda dont think of east when wheeling !

Me neither

I love the mountains but I got to admit like the prairie as well. This area has some mesas and canyons, not just grass and hills. But I get the impression vehicles are not permitted in the canyons.

Just thought this might be something different.

[Max]

If you looked at a map after what I posted, you would have seen where it is.

[Whinobutts]

I've spent countless hours in the area. I grew up outside of Rocky Ford, and still enjoy going to the grasslands when I go back home. The wife and I got married overlooking the picketwire canyon, and still try to go turkey hunting there every year. The canyons are an awesome place to look around and go hiking. there are the dinosaur tracks you mentioned, native pictographs, old settlements, and an old Spanish cemetery. It gets hot in the summer, and full of rattlesnakes. As far as wheeling goes, not a lot from the areas I've been, I haven't been to the southern most parts. The paths and roads get to be very bad with even the lightest rain. The dino tracks are about 6 miles from the trail head, so plan for a heck of a walk. There is a road/trail through picketwire canyon, but no public access for vehicles. I did hear a rumor that once or twice a year the forest service, and/or the DOW has a guided vehicle trip through there. It might be worth a look to see if we as a group can get a trip planned. If you have any questions let me know, cant promise I know the answer but I'll try.

[Rick]

If you looked at a map after what I posted, you would have seen where it is.:bowdown::rolleyes:

[NMC_EXP]

As far as wheeling goes, not a lot from the areas I've been, I haven't been to the southern most parts. The paths and roads get to be very bad with even the lightest rain. The dino tracks are about 6 miles from the trail head, so plan for a heck of a walk. There is a road/trail through picketwire canyon, but no public access for vehicles. I did hear a rumor that once or twice a year the forest service, and/or the DOW has a guided vehicle trip through there. It might be worth a look to see if we as a group can get a trip planned. If you have any questions let me know, cant promise I know the answer but I'll try.


According to the FS website, they do run guided vehicle tours periodically. I have not checked the details yet.