Colorado VX'ers: Any good trails close to Denver?

[IsuZOOM]

My friend has a great book of off-roading trails, but I think the closest one is something like a 2-hour drive (maybe more!). Anything closer to Denver? I'm in SE Denver (Aurora) and would love to go off road on lazy afternoons, instead of having to make a day of it.

[Moncha]

Keith, AKA Locomigo and some others live in the area and can fill you in on the good trails..
Colorado is full of them. Sometime after the 'Zu Zoo event in Moab, we'll plan something for Colorado. Then again, there is always ColoradoZu.

[Locomigo]

Randy,

We go out all the time. Our local group, Trailseekers, has our own yahoo egroups that we plan trips on Trailseekers egroups.

To answer your root question, no there is nothing in town or anywhere closer than:
Left Hand Canyon/Carnage North of Boulder,
Spring Creek up the I-70 corridor @ Downieville,
Slaughterhouse Gulch up the US-285 corridor.

I am certain that things can be found in and around town, but that does not mesh with our group mantra of Tread Lightly! and leave it better than you found it. Not only that, but we do not and will not tresspass on private property.

We have all got to commit to being responsible four wheelers and off highway recreationists, or face the consequences of losing our trails.

What's so bad about a day trip?

I think we may be gearing up to head down to Buena Vista to run Old Chinamans Gulch, a KILLER fun trail for a Moab 'Zu Zoo shakedown run in the next week or two, may even go for our annual Easter 'Zu run.

So, where in SE Aurora are you located? I live off of Iliff and Tower.

Not only do we go wheelin together as a group, we hang out a lot, playing games, having dinner, celebating birthdays, performing mods, go carting, ice racing, etc. Really more of a family than a wheelin group. Why dont you give me a call or something and let me know if I can help you out in any other way.
303-478-7568

HTH,

[IsuZOOM]

Originally posted by Locomigo
We go out all the time. Our local group, Trailseekers, has our own yahoo egroups that we plan trips on Trailseekers egroups.

Joined! Cool

we do not and will not tresspass on private property.

Phooey! (kidding)

So, where in SE Aurora are you located? I live off of Iliff and Tower.

Unfortunately it looks like I'm too far from you... Hampden and Tower!

Thanks for all the info, I've just gotten notice that my VX will be picked up in VA on Monday, and hopefully will be arriving in our part of the woods by the end of next week!

[Locomigo]

Originally posted by Randy712
Unfortunately it looks like I'm too far from you... Hampden and Tower!

Thanks for all the info, I've just gotten notice that my VX will be picked up in VA on Monday, and hopefully will be arriving in our part of the woods by the end of next week!

Excellent on all counts!

Seven hills area? we stayed there for a few months when we returned to CO last year, and then moved up the road a bit to an spt until the housing market settles... too volitile right yet for my liking.

So anyway, you should join us on runs, it will be a good time.. and I will expect that you will be going to Moab in May? That is only 39 days away now...

If that doesnt work out... mark your calendars:
Aug 8-10 in Buena Vista, CO - Colorado 'Zu V
Oct 31-Nov 2 in Moab, UT - Crawloween IV

And the weekly trail run around here.

[Locomigo]

Originally posted by SPAZZ
If I get leave for Moab I will be home after Moab, we could go off roading in Grand Junction/Montrose or near?

Hmmm... that a tall order. The Montrose/Penrose, etc trails are extreme like Die Trying arent something that Loco will be tackling anytime soon/ever.

21 Road outside of Junction isnt too out of reach for a reasonably built vehicle. I wouldnt take a stock vehicle down it.

There are a few areas on the western slope that could allow fr some intermediate wheelin.

[IsuZOOM]

Yep - right behind the theater. We got pretty much screwed on the housing Bought the house JUST BEFORE 09/11/01 when the market pretty much crashed. Live and learn (and stay in the house for 10 years )

I plan on (for now) keeping the VX bone stock (stock tires, no lift, etc) as I do 99% of my driving on-road and I want to retain the sporty handling. Hopefully I'll still be capable off-road!

Moab may be undoable due to the mid-week dates.

[Locomigo]

Mid week? That was for those that travel to not need to use more than a full week vacation to go.

Me? I am using a full week, and comp timing the Friday prior and Monday after. Gone from May 9-20, return the 21st to work.

You dont have to come for ALL days, come out for ext weekend.. take 2 days off and come play thur-Sat

There are plenty of options... I can assist you with visualizing the options as well.

Stock VX should do fine on a lot of trails in Moab, and around here it can do okay, although hanging out in a group like this, I bet you will change your tune, most everyone does...

I know I did. LOL;eekg;

[Tonka]

Your VX will honestly do fine on trails stock. As for some trails to just play around on that are close by there are some right behind Black Hawk / Central City casino area on Yankee Hill. It is only about 45min from Denver, a little farther from where you live. I take 6 right into the mountains. It will take a little longer to get back because some of the trails will take you father out. These trails are fairly easy to do and very scenic too. There are a lot of off shoots. Great for beginners to moderate. Anything harder you will have to go farther out.

Also Keith is right about taking a day trip, because you do really want to take a whole day off because once you are in the mountains you really don't want to leave! If you what to find some other great trails there are books that you can buy from almost any bookstore. I recomend "Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails Vol.1 & Vol.2" These books have great directions and levels of difficulty from easy to hard. The easy ones are a little too easy. Shoot for the moderate. Both books are by Charles A. Wells.

You should also make time for the Colorado Zu coming this year. I had a good time last year and Keith and the rest of the group in Trailseekers are all awesome people. I hope to have a lift this year so i can run with the big boys. Some of their trucks are insane! Very cool. I really need to win the lottery. I have only seen the ice races from a far once a long time ago from the highway. I don't know how darning i would be to do that seeing that my VX is nowhere near paid for. I am fine just watching. I wanted to see some this last year but couldn't because of my schedule.

If you ever what to do some random wheeling Randy just drop an e-mail. Once school is out i see myself being up in the mountains every weekend.