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Java
June 16th, 2020, 06:24 PM
Hoping to go to the North Sand Hills that week. Probably go up on Thursday via backroads from Masonville / Horsetooth, wheel the dunes on Friday morning, but it's all flexible. Things are starting to open up in that area, I htink by mid July it should be good to go. Average temps there in July are 75 / 45.

Jim
June 16th, 2020, 06:40 PM
Keeping an eye on this.



If you wished to travel a couple trails "on the way"...

Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.530897,-105.1155654/40.6889456,-105.4922774/@40.5836017,-105.4427604,11z/data=!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-105.4380273!2d40.5355688!3s0x87696a94b3869c19:0x4d 46d2db89cfd74a!3m4!1m2!1d-105.4249329!2d40.5263375!3s0x87696af236d633a9:0xae 9dffc873c1dac0!3m4!1m2!1d-105.4494069!2d40.571413!3s0x87691526f2f24cd7:0x85d 6865e4101a2e2!3m4!1m2!1d-105.5395714!2d40.5791109!3s0x8769130427da4aaf:0xb1 89dc80d8b9181a!1m0!3e0): Start @ Horsetooth, via Masonville to 44H with Moody Hill & Quarry back to 44H to Pennock Pass to Pingree Road to CO-14

Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.530897,-105.1155654/40.6889456,-105.4922774/@40.5614186,-105.3527009,10.75z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-105.2779915!2d40.539206!3s0x876946fd3758a663:0x460 1374a84ec890b!3m4!1m2!1d-105.3870657!2d40.6306863!3s0x87693e14145aef67:0xcc aa6c9c9fc636bb!1m0!3e2): Start @ Horsetooth, via Masonville to Old Flowers Road to Pingree Road to CO-14 (time is if you walked - I couldn't route it driving)

OR

Cherokee Park to Laramie River Valley with a jump over the mountain, perhaps with a stop to Old Roach, before dropping into the north sand flats...

Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.8277667,-105.2518724/40.8716587,-105.9078212/@40.8738096,-105.72747,10.75z/data=!4m29!4m28!1m25!3m4!1m2!1d-105.4660741!2d40.8940019!3s0x8768e1b7a734bd9b:0x4d 4dc05f2ce1bf54!3m4!1m2!1d-105.6397719!2d40.9312989!3s0x8768fb7d9b1b5143:0x46 4df7a4cdea91c5!3m4!1m2!1d-105.7080885!2d40.953535!3s0x8768f9712ab7f93d:0x575 7b1c71e58a178!3m4!1m2!1d-105.8471505!2d40.889039!3s0x87685424bc0b5f83:0x368 b97d88c42ff42!3m4!1m2!1d-105.8873982!2d40.8715381!3s0x87685392b671fd0d:0xb9 5514b7c5b9342d!1m0!3e0): 80C - county gravel road (mostly)

Java
June 16th, 2020, 08:58 PM
The current plan, always flexible...

CR23 Horsetooth Reservoir Road- paved
CR52E Rist Canyon Road- paved
FR152 Old Flowers Road- easy 4x4
FR131 Pingree Road- dirt
Highway 14- paved
FR225 Sevenmile Creek- easy 4x4
CR162 Manhattan Road- dirt
CR162 Deadman Road- dirt
CR80C- dirt
CR103 Larimie River Road- dirt
FR200 Hohnholz Lakes Road- dirt
FR204 / CR46- dirt
CR6E / CR6S North Sand Hills- moderate 4x4

After a night there we hope to continue on to Steamboat and down to Vail:
Highway 127- paved
Highway 125- paved
CR6W / FS80 Hog Park- dirt
FS496- dirt
FS550 Whiskey Park Road- dirt
CR129- paved
Highway 40 Steamboat Springs- paved
CR14 Yellow Jacket Pass- dirt
CR16 Simpson Mountain- dirt
FR206 Jolly Creek- dirt
CR11 / FR212 Blacktail Creek- dirt
CR111 Yarmony Creek- dirt
CR2 / CR31 Copper Spur Road- dirt
Highway 131- paved
Red Sandstone Road / Muddy Creek- dirt

We will see when the time comes, I'm hoping to sell my camping trailer next week and am not sure what it will be replaced with yet. We may end up in a hotel, or maybe a Yurt at State Forest State Park. IDK yet, but the dates are pretty solid.

Java
June 24th, 2020, 09:04 PM
Going to postpone this until august, going hiking near Crested Butte instead that week.

Jim
June 24th, 2020, 09:43 PM
K - still keeping an eye open.

Shane
July 14th, 2020, 09:25 PM
Would definitely like to go back itwas fun!!!!!

Java
July 15th, 2020, 07:14 AM
It was a lot of fun! We are going to theWest Elk Wilderness instead next week, hiking the Mill-Castle trail, but I'd love to get a Sand Hills run together soon.

Mad Maxx
July 18th, 2020, 11:21 AM
I've been wanting to go to the sand hills for a long time, though I'm only available on weekends.

The only weekend I'm not available in August would be the weekend of the 22nd - I've got a reservation to hike to Hanging Lake then

Tom
July 18th, 2020, 04:02 PM
It was a lot of fun! We are going to theWest Elk Wilderness instead next week, hiking the Mill-Castle trail, but I'd love to get a Sand Hills run together soon.
You'll like it. I 've hiked/backpacked/hunted alot in the west elks. Grew up in Gunnison.

Java
July 23rd, 2020, 09:43 PM
The Mill-Castle trail is fantastic if anyone is looking for something https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3828139.pdf. There is even a mile and a half of easy 4x4 trail in the beginning beyond the first parking lot, and we only saw two other groups of people the whole time. You will want sandals or something for the creek, the bottom is all rocks and there is no clear place to cross, you just do it. If you just went to the creek and turned back it would be a great 1/2 day hike. We drove Cottonwood Pass, Taylor River Road, Ohio Pass and Kebler Pass and liked them all. The improvements on Cottonwood are impressive, and 742 Taylor River road may be the prettiest paved road I've been on. On the downside Crested Butte was beyond crowded and the area around tincup / Hancock / Alpine tunnel was a sea of ATVs even on a weekday morning. Another plus was the Sherpa Cafe in Gunnison, excellent food.

Tom
July 23rd, 2020, 11:03 PM
Sounds like your went in via Mill Creek. I lost the gas tank on my dad's 1965 Chevy Caprice up there one time.

Love the trail as you walk through the Castles!

There's a cave along the right side cliffs as you hike up along Mill Creek. Spent the night in it once. Coldest time I can ever remember. Was not prepared.

Jim
July 23rd, 2020, 11:05 PM
I lost the gas tank on my dad's 1965 Chevy Caprice up there one time.

??? Hold muh beer-n-watch this ???

Did the complete gas tank separate from the vehicle or was it a puncture ??? Inquiring minds `n all.

Tom
July 23rd, 2020, 11:10 PM
??? Hold muh beer-n-watch this ???

Did the complete gas tank separate from the vehicle or was it a puncture ??? Inquiring minds `n all.
It was laying on the ground with the fuel line still attached. They were strapped in, and I was able to jury right it back on cause it only had about 1/4 tank of gas and get home. That was the last time I ever drove one of my father vehicles. To say he was pissed is an understatement.

Actually I was with my younger sister. I think her boy friend was camping up there if I remember correctly. I was a nice brother. She was probably 15.

Jim
July 24th, 2020, 12:31 AM
It was laying on the ground with the fuel line still attached.

:lmao:

Java
July 24th, 2020, 07:27 AM
My wife pointed out a cool cave on the side of the creek, maybe 75 or 100 feet above the main trail, looked like it might have two entrances next to each other, or maybe a rock dividing one? Next time I'llhave to check it out. :thumb:

Mad Maxx
September 22nd, 2020, 03:19 PM
Anyone want to go to the sand hills before it gets too chilly? Maybe this weekend?