Rollins Pass

[1freaky1]

Charlie and I was just talking about doing Rollins Pass and seeing if the Needles Point bypass is open access. We're talking about doing it on a Sunday (date to be determined) Anyone else interested? Can possibly include Jenny Creek too.

[Trailrat99XJ]

I would want to do Jenny Creek!

[Chris]

If I was going to be in town I'd be up for it.

[Ace]

Pretty sure the needles bypass is a permanent closure.

Jenny Lake is a blast though, love driving up a river!

Ran it about 4 weeks ago and the snow was still to deep at the end. Prolly melted nicely by now?

[Chris]

Pretty sure the needles bypass is a permanent closure.


There's been talk of it reopening but I doubt it'll happen. Not a lot of room to turn around with multiple trucks either.

[Roo]

I would be in for this weekend or the next ( Aug 2 or Aug 9.)

[Funrover]

Can't, but want to.. When did it get closed? I have driven it a few times now and even went right by a park ranger once and there were no issues. Guess a call is needed to make sure

[white collar redneck dad]

I'm open for 8.2 or 8.9....charlie

[dr350jja]

some info here:

http://www.moffatroad.org/RPRA/Times-Call/062106.htm (http://www.moffatroad.org/RPRA/Times-Call/062106.htm)

http://www.rockymountainprofiles.com/Rollins%20Pass.htm (http://www.rockymountainprofiles.com/Rollins%20Pass.htm)

[1freaky1]

some info here:

http://www.moffatroad.org/RPRA/Times-Call/062106.htm (http://www.moffatroad.org/RPRA/Times-Call/062106.htm)

http://www.rockymountainprofiles.com/Rollins%20Pass.htm (http://www.rockymountainprofiles.com/Rollins%20Pass.htm)


Thanks for the links, good stuff.

[Roostercruiser]

why did it close?

[Chris]

The rocks collapsed Roland

[Funrover]

That sucks, that was a fun little connecting trail! I really wonder the reason the closed it however, you could do it in stock rigs with no issues

[Chris]

IIRC it closed quite a while ago after the side collapsed. There's also a gate and rocks moved into the trail. I heard it's unlikely ever to open because a worker was killed on site - I'm not sure if that's true so don't quote me on it.

[Funrover]

IIRC it closed quite a while ago after the side collapsed. There's also a gate and rocks moved into the trail. I heard it's unlikely ever to open because a worker was killed on site - I'm not sure if that's true so don't quote me on it.

??? The by pass or needles eye tunnel? I really doubt the tunel will be reopened again Ever

[Chris]

Yeah, the tunnel. I didn't see any bypass. :(

[1freaky1]

There is one that I found using Yahoo Maps, it does not show up on the regular map so use the Hybrid tab to see it. The bypass is just off to the right of the Jenny Creek exit on to Pllins Pass road at the Yankee Doodle Lake. If you use Google Earth in 3d you can follow it all the way around the trail and see the inclines and drop offs.

[Hypoid]

I see what you mean. I also remember a gated road at the end of Jenny Creek. I know a road heads off to Eldora, I think through Indian Peaks Wilderness. It never occured to me there was a road North of Yankee Doodle Lake.

[Funrover]

I tried google maps... but the route I know was taken in winter so I didn't see it

[Mr6dwg]

Yesterday, Aug 2, I rode with a 4WD group called All4Fun. I was unable to get anybody to go with me on such a short notice. I went by myself. As I was passing the Mammoth Gulch road from Kingston Peak, near Toland, a swarm of JEEPs, sorry no Toyotas, took over the road. I, with my sly driving, put my vehicle in the middle of the pack, and acted like I was part of the gang. They were heading to Jenny Creek. There were 18 Jeeps in all. It was such a fun day. I met up with them around 9:30. We made it to the top around 2:00. Here is a website that speaks of the group and their adventures. http://can4x4.com/articles/all-4-fun/all-4-fun.htm

[Hypoid]

I tried google maps... but the route I know was taken in winter so I didn't see it
What landmarks are near your spot?

[white collar redneck dad]

Chris, freaky1 sean and ridgerunner dave....what are your thoughts of exploring jenny creek and other trails around rollins on sunday 9/6 or 9/13 or 9/27 need many more sunday trips...so many folks on this forum work on saturday.
Can u create a forum sat vs sunday or full weekend runs?
I am writing this from my blackberry..don't think I can start a new forum from blackberry.

[Brody]

Chris, freaky1 sean and ridgerunner dave....what are your thoughts of exploring jenny creek and other trails around rollins on sunday 9/6 or 9/13 or 9/27 need many more sunday trips...so many folks on this forum work on saturday.
Can u create a forum sat vs sunday or full weekend runs?


Sticking my nose in here....

No need to start another forum, especially for Saturday vs Sunday runs. Simply post the runs you want to do and the day that you want to do them just like any other run and the people who are interested will show up...or not..

The lack of posted runs has nothing to do with what day it is on; weekday, weekend day, whatever, but more due to the fact that I think everyone waits for someone else to post a run. Since you have a slew of trails that you want to do, simply start posting them up, but give everyone time enough to plan for them, too. Posting a trail or an event a few days before hand and expecting people to show up for it with little or no notice is unrealistic, especially for people with kids, family or other obligations.

The reasoning behind the majority of Saturday runs is simply becuse many of the rigs that people drive are their daily drivers and they have to have them running for work Monday AM. This gives them a chance to fix them in case something broke. I was in the same position before I got the 84 work truck and much preferred a Saturday run to a Sunday run for that reason alone. There are also a whole lot of people here that go to church on Sunday with their families, though I am not one of them. That leaves a Sunday afternoon run at best, which is a pretty short time frame, especially dealing with getting kids sorted out again

So, that said, simply start posting runs that you have an interest in, same as what you have been doing...Saturday, Sunday, weekdays, whatever, and the people who are interested in doing the run will RSVP. Keep in mind the lead time, too, and if it is a spur of the moment run, don't expect a big turnout...Case in point: I knew that Jon had Tuesdays off and I may have this Tuesday off. I contacted a few other people I know that had weekdays off or weren't working and posted a Tuesday run to the Gulches. Do I expect a bunch of people to show up? No...too short notice for one thing...a weekday for another...I don't even know if LaDawn can go on this one or not yet...

[Chris]

Exactly. That's what the 'planning' forum is for vs 'planned' forum. Float an idea on planning and if it takes off than move to planned.

[1freaky1]

It has been awhile since this was posted up and I found a couple web articles for this if anyone is interested. They cover the history of the pass and the trail. Both are a bit older but still interesting reading.

http://www.off-roadweb.com/adventures/0608or_rollins_pass_4x4_colorado/index.html

http://www.daeunert.com/Colorado/html/rollins_pass.html

[Hypoid]

Fun read! Will you be in shape for that much hiking next summer? :p

Last time we spoke, I forgot to tell you I rifled through some old topo maps at the library and found the by-pass. It starts about a quarter-mile below Yankee Doodle lake. I remember seeing the gate at the top of the last steep section.

I also found a marker for the mine on Saxon Mtn. There is no name associated with it, but there is a marker. You'll have to come down sometime and look them over.