Eldorado Mtn - Caribou

[Tom]

I have never run Eldorado Mtn. Is there any interest?

Next week Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun (7-16. 7/20)

[Jackie]

Interested! In fact I was just reading about that trail today in a guide book I have. I'v never run it either. Interesting history!

[Tom]

Interesting history!
Tell me more please.

[RockyMtRebel]

I’ve run it many times, in both directions. It’s pretty awesome and I’d say starting from Eldora heading north to Caribou is the best way to do it!

[speedkills]

I'm interested. Had cabin fever so much tonight that I went up Rollin's pass until I hit snow at the lake, watched the sun go down, then played around on Jenny Creek for a bit until I realized it was all dead ends, so I had to back track out of Jenny Creek. I have only done Eldorado to Caribou once but it was after dark so it'd be nice to be able to actually see the views next time.

[Jackie]

Tell me more please.


Haha! It's a long story for this forum! In a nut shell, it starts with one lucky man who discovered silver on Caribou Hill. How the town of Caribou was developed, thrived and burned to the ground. Then mines were discovered in Eldora and a town grew there too until the mines dried up in 1917. Pretty much all that remains is the Eldora Ski area.

I'll bring my book and you can read it. (Only 3 pages but too much to write here)! I will say they did not have things easy back then.

[Tom]

I am currently thinking later in the week, like friday. CSI is supposed to be done with the Rav 4 on Tues but I am not counting on that. SoI would like a chance for that to be returned before scheduling a run. I will have to run to denver somewhere to pick it up. We need it available asap so can't delay once they say to come and get it.

[speedkills]

I just did a quick run up the trail today on my dirt bike to make sure everything was in good shape. No issues, although I don't love this section, but won't be an issue with spotters.

[open_circuit]

I'd like to run this sometime, but I can't this week. I've never run the trails up near the Caribou ghost town, and they've been on my list for a while since they are so close.

[Jackie]

I am currently thinking later in the week, like friday.

I'm OK with that.

[jayson44]

glad to see it's still open. that section pictured has been reworked many times by the trail stewards (Nissan group in Denver, I think) and there was talk that it was getting too dangerous to drive.

last time I ran it, it was in the snow and dark out. lots of fun!

J.

[speedkills]

Funny, I came down it by myself in the dark a few months back (no 4x4" post there at the time) and it was the spookiest thing I had driven, hence my not liking that section. Saw a bunch of people come down it today though no problem, I think due to the time of day I was going up it quite a few people were on their way down, including one with a flat and his buddies in front of and behind him. Not much place to go, had the trail completely blocked. I would have had to turn around if I was wheeling it today.

[speedkills]

Friday is best for me as well if it's a weekday. It's the day I can most reliably take off.

[Java]

Side note- I spoke with the Clear Creek Ranger District and they are going to Kingston Peak on Wed to check the snow and possibly open the gates...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLV3bLlMPhg

July 11th 2020 Volunteers from Colorado 4x4 Rescue and Recovery went up Caribou Trail just north of Nederland, Colorado to retrieve an abandoned Subaru that had been severely vandalized as it sat in the forest.


The front passenger side was pretty destroyed and unable to have a tire mounted back on the wheel studs, so we tried to make a log skid to save the front of the vehicle from too much further damage, but ultimately with little points to secure it to, it slid out about half way up the trail.


It was agreed that beings the vehicle was abandoned and essentially totaled, that just dragging it out by force would be fine (but it was a last resort). This is a busy trail and we already had it closed for 2 hours, so we needed to get out of there and return it to public use.


Another successful mission helping keep our forests clean, and roads open to use!

[Tom]

Saw the video the other day. Thats what made me think of the area.

I personally qm waiting on kingston till one of my grandsons gets home. He's in TX with another set of grandparents.

[Tom]

Going to pickup our stolen vehicle in a few minutes. I would be up for this trail friday, sat, or sunday.

[Jackie]

I'm still good for Friday unless the fire on Elephant Butte gets out of control again. It's only 60% contained right now. I'd need to be here to evacuate with the family again.

[open_circuit]

We could see that fire from the house on Monday night. When we heard it was Evergreen, we wondered how you were doing, Jackie. Sounds like the rain might have helped to contain the fire a bit overnight.

[Tom]

Got the vehicle back. No damage and nothing taken. But my son would like to go hiking on Friday so Friday is out for this week.

If next Friday is better for you Jackie we could do it then. I am really open at this point. Would be willing to run it twice if anyone else wants this Sat or Sun.

[Jackie]

I have nothing planned at this point. I could go tomorrow (Thursday) too.

[Jackie]

Tom, I'm willing to go Thursday (tomorrow), Saturday or Sunday. just let me know.

[Jackie]

We could see that fire from the house on Monday night. When we heard it was Evergreen, we wondered how you were doing, Jackie. Sounds like the rain might have helped to contain the fire a bit overnight.

Thanks Trent. Our house is basically at the base of Elephant Butte (about a mile, maybe less). My husband has hiked it several times beginning from our back yard. We left about 9:30 pm with both vehicles packed and headed to Longmont to stay with our eldest daughter and SIL at their house. Didn't come home until late in the afternoon. The rain helped put it down considerable, but I-70 was like a rushing river and very difficult to drive on.:eek: We needed to show our ID to be allowed back to our home. I was thankful they were not allowing "tourists" through the area.

[speedkills]

I'd be up for Saturday or Sunday.

[Tom]

Lets do Saturday. Say meet at the Nederland High School parking lot at 10am?

If you agree I will post up the run.

[Jackie]

Agreed!

[Tom]

Posted trail run
planned run thread
https://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?28147-Eldorado-Mtn-Caribou-Sat-July-18&p=337842#post337842


rsvp
https://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2020-7-18&e=1057&c=1

[speedkills]

Sounds great to me.