North Sand Hills May 15

[Java]

I'm taking Friday, May 15th off and heading to the North Sand Hills. Hopefully I'll get out of work early enough Thursday to head up that night, camp there and enjoy the empty dunes on Friday. It's an awesome area, a big sand playground where you can drive just about anywhere. The drive getting there is incredible too, even if you just take 14, but I'm planning on taking Rist Canyon / Old Flowers Road / Seven Mile Creek / Deadman rd / Holnholz lake road and the back way in, or the county road if it's too muddy. Depending on what is open, ofcourse. I'm bringing my trailer and camping there, dispersed camping is great on the north side.

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=70

http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/kfo/recreation_opportunities/ohv/north_sand_hills.html

http://www.4x4explore.com/rds/n_rds/nrth_sndhills.html

Last year:


https://vimeo.com/97061604

and 2013:


https://vimeo.com/68917902

[Java]

Accessories!!! :smokin: I've never seen anyone watch themselves on the app while taking a selfie before, I think that's a selfie squared?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrlAQPoilcE

[Patrolman]

I would love to go. This has been on my to-do-list for a few years. Wife graduates from college the following morning, so I just can't make it happen. Maybe next time!

[Java]

Congratulations!! :thumb: Great reason not to go!

It is epic wheeling there, and I like that it's an overnighter (atleast). this is my 3rd time and it's one of my must-do's every year now.

[cfr]

Have a great time. I've been up there once and had a blast. Hoping to plan a similar trip this summer starting at Red Feather Lakes to Walden and taking the scenic route.

[Java]

that's the way I'm hoping to go too, if the roads are open. Status page- http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5300963

[Java]

One of my favorite videos of the dunes


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U66yMFWA0Zw

[The StRanger]

Im gona try to make it, Thinkin leave outa here Sat morn, Play for the day.
Maybe camp for Sat night or Poss head back in Sat.
Not sure for right now..

[Java]

Hope you can, Sam! :thumb: The weekends at the dunes can get pretty busy with ATVs, which isn't a problem as far as behavior, but they run them all night which sucks for camping. I always try to get there on weekdays, or stay in State Forest State Park.

[Chris]

Hmmm, looks like a good place to break suspension parts. I may have to make it myself and see what I can do on sand. How far away is the State Park Paul?

[The StRanger]

Shane and I are talkin campin at State forest.

[Java]

Hmmm, looks like a good place to break suspension parts. I may have to make it myself and see what I can do on sand. How far away is the State Park Paul?

Jumping is hard on vehicles, I don't do it myself. But I'll be happy to take video of you! :) State Forest State Park is about 20-30 minutes away, right down the (only) road. http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/StateForest

[Chris]

Thanks Paul! I'll see if I can find the videos of a couple 4Runners like mine jumping in Pismo. The first shows a dramatic jump that's quite impressive. A few days later the guy that took the video posted the rest showing the jumpers damage - yikes! Pretty bad, enough to caution me about trying anything too stupid.

[The StRanger]

Yes, jumping is very bad Ju Ju...
It looks like fun but I wont do it ..

[Shane]

Yes, but not seeing the whoopty whoos and hitting them at 30mph makes it kind of fun for a few min. Damn near thought I was gonna brake somethin on the WJ.

[Java]

A motorcycle and an FJ80 on some of the easier parts. Most of it is easy, and since you can drive almost anywhere you can make it as easy or hard as you want.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q6acJC9ZJQ

[alexb]

Is there anywhere worth staying if you aren't the camping type?

[Java]

http://www.waldenrockhouse.com/

[cfr]

Is there anywhere worth staying if you aren't the camping type?

Only a few choices that I know of,

- Yurts or Cabins in State Forest State Park (fill up months in advance)
- little cabin at KOA near Gould (know it was there a few years ago, but don't see it now)
- North Park Inn and Suites
- Antlers Inn

Google mentions a few others but I think they're B&B.

I've only stayed at the North Park Inn. A few years ago they were in the middle of a remodel and the rooms were a bit sketchy. Probably better now.

[Java]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlJ2ojoZMLo

[Java]

Is there anywhere worth staying if you aren't the camping type?

this is Walden...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aEEm-2i17o

[Java]

tentative new plan is to take Chris' former / my new trailer up to State Forest State Park for Thursday / Friday nights, still go to the dunes and all but camp in the park.

[ILuvtheMountains]

I am still trying to make this happen. Looks like a lot of fun.

[cfr]

Only a few choices that I know of,

- Yurts or Cabins in State Forest State Park (fill up months in advance)
- little cabin at KOA near Gould (know it was there a few years ago, but don't see it now)
- North Park Inn and Suites
- Antlers Inn

Google mentions a few others but I think they're B&B.

I've only stayed at the North Park Inn. A few years ago they were in the middle of a remodel and the rooms were a bit sketchy. Probably better now.

Forgot that I'd also heard of Lake John Resort. Seems like they cater to the fishing guys,

http://www.lakejohnresort.com/

[Java]

This is the drive up, nice video of just a road trip. I'm not sure the weather is going to be cooperative for tent camping that week so I'm at a maybe, I'll just reschedule it for later in the year if that's the case. Time will tell. Found another campground in the area, just fyi: http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEH cDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMj AwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110210&ttype=recarea&recid=36633&actid=29&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003705&pname=Arapaho+%26+Roosevelt+National+Forests+Pawne e+NG+-+Browns+Park+Campground



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8-jy-P64P4

[Java]

looks like this is a dead run so I'm cancelling it, will possibly reschedule.

[ILuvtheMountains]

Bummer! Still not totally sure I was going to be able to make it, but it was looking like I could have probably made it happen. Oh well, Perhaps we could plan something else for that weekend.

[CajunJay]

Is this still on or is it canceled?

[Java]

The weather forecast is rain, all the rsvps were maybes and no, and the thread only had 5 posts in the last month, 3 by me, so I cancelled the run and made other plans. That doesn't mean anyone else can't go, I'm just not going to be there. It's a pretty safe place to solo on the weekends if you stay out of the north end too.