NMC_EXP
February 9th, 2015, 06:16 PM
The Colorado Gem Trails book says black tourmaline crystals can be found in an old quarry located in the Royal Gorge Park. It was a warm for a Feb 8th, the FJ60 looked lonely, so we packed a lunch and headed out to R.G. Park. Found the quarry and found a few crystals. Also found an overlook on Elk Horn road in the park. Good view down the Gorge all the way to the flatlands.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39750&stc=1
At this location was surprised to find some belly flowers blooming in February:
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39751&stc=1
Had some daylight left so we headed up Rte 50 to Cotopaxi. There we turned north on county rd 12. This one starts off paved but soon goes to dirt. It will take you all the way over the top to county rd 2 (Tallahassee Rd) which is the extreme south end of South Park. At 2 if you go east it will take you to Hwy 9. If you go west you can get to Salida via backroads.
In the summer a car can handle 12 all the way to 2. There are some steep and one lane sections but it is a well maintained road. Sunday there was a combination of dry, mud and snow/ice up to the summit which is maybe 18 miles from Cotopaxi. There are a lot more trees on the north side and always more snow. It was getting late so we turned around at the summit. This route is not technical at all but the Delorme atlas shows a few "jeep trails" off of it. Also a great place for aspens in the fall.
This shot is at the top on the shoulder of Stony Face mountain. The range in the background is the Sawatch (I think). The antique in the foreground is what got us there.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39758&stc=1
Just a laid back Sunday drive.
Jim
Edit: I dunno why the three photos are showing up at the bottom after I stuck them in the narrative. Probably because I'm just a simple country boy trying to do my best in a complex technological environment. I'll figure it out someday.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39750&stc=1
At this location was surprised to find some belly flowers blooming in February:
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39751&stc=1
Had some daylight left so we headed up Rte 50 to Cotopaxi. There we turned north on county rd 12. This one starts off paved but soon goes to dirt. It will take you all the way over the top to county rd 2 (Tallahassee Rd) which is the extreme south end of South Park. At 2 if you go east it will take you to Hwy 9. If you go west you can get to Salida via backroads.
In the summer a car can handle 12 all the way to 2. There are some steep and one lane sections but it is a well maintained road. Sunday there was a combination of dry, mud and snow/ice up to the summit which is maybe 18 miles from Cotopaxi. There are a lot more trees on the north side and always more snow. It was getting late so we turned around at the summit. This route is not technical at all but the Delorme atlas shows a few "jeep trails" off of it. Also a great place for aspens in the fall.
This shot is at the top on the shoulder of Stony Face mountain. The range in the background is the Sawatch (I think). The antique in the foreground is what got us there.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=39758&stc=1
Just a laid back Sunday drive.
Jim
Edit: I dunno why the three photos are showing up at the bottom after I stuck them in the narrative. Probably because I'm just a simple country boy trying to do my best in a complex technological environment. I'll figure it out someday.