4runnerguy wrote: Just curious, does that include O'Haver Lake? I thought it had a chance of being reasonably snow free at that elevation.
How about the small range east of Salida/BV? I don't remember exactly where we've been, but there are a variety of roads off of US 285 SW of Trout Creek Pass (I think one turnoff is labeled OSU Camp). That range is lower that the surrounding mountains and it sits in the rain/snow shadow of the Sawatch Range. Tends not to get as crowded there aren't the popular fishing holes like Cottonwood Lake.
O'Haver Lake will be open, and we are considering it. It feels a little cozy, and will likely be full. At least there will be fishing there, but it may not be as quiet as I prefer. (Aren't I picky!!!).
That area off Trout Creek Pass seems interesting to me, but DW is a real fishing addict, and I am not sure how happy she would be without a fishing hole within spitting distance of camp. Looks like some interesting off roading available there.
The Gunnison NF Ranger also suggested the south part of the Gunnison NF; Saguache Park, Mc Donough, Old Agency, Dome something which I am completely unfamiliar with. Any thoughts on that? That area is NW of Saguache off Hwy 114, the cutoff to Gunnison.
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Sorry Dan, got busy last night and didn't get the photos downloaded. But here they are in all their glory. Most of our boondocking sites down by the lake are actually open and a lot up by the Italian Creek trail head are even open till you get in the heavy timber. You might want to bring your ice skates for the lake and the road is a little narrow in places. I'm sure they will have it plowed all the way by this weekend and if the days stay as warm as it was yesterday, more of the lake will be melted. There were a few die hards out yesterday in the limited open water. Most campgrounds were open between Almont and Taylor with the rest to be open by Friday. I know of some awesome boondocking sites that are snow free and beautiful within a 30 mile radius of Gunnison, so if you get desperate, let me know and I'll fill you in.
From top of the dam.
From the little look out point just past the dam.
CDOT = Slackers, kidding, a trailer will fit no problem, just make sure nobody is coming from the other direction. And like I said, I'm sure they will have it plowed by this weekend.
Looking back towards the dam.
Thanks for all that work. The Gunnison NF Ranger told me road 742 was closed where it turns to dirt jsut north of 209 (Cottonwood Pass Rd). Did you happen to notice that? We usually like going to Pothole #2, but it may still be frozen, too?
Also considering the area around Saguach Park, Mc Donough, or Dome Lake. Any thoughts on that? I read that Big Blue is 60 feet lower than high water level. Is that filling quick? Maybe I should go retreive the fishing rod/reel I sacrificed to the fishing gods last Memorial Day.
I am very open to the area around Gunnison. I would like to keep my drive from C-470/Quebec in Denver to ~4 hours, but am flexible on that. We plan to leave Denver Thursday at 4:00 PM so I would like to have some daylight in a newer to us area.
DenverDan wrote: The Gunnison NF Ranger also suggested the south part of the Gunnison NF; Saguache Park, Mc Donough, Old Agency, Dome something which I am completely unfamiliar with. Any thoughts on that? That area is NW of Saguache off Hwy 114, the cutoff to Gunnison.
I had to get out the Colorado Atlas & Gazetter (worth getting if you don't have one!) to see where McDonough and Dome Lakes were even at! They're off the Cochetopa Pass Road and I've always gone on CO 114 over North Pass. I did boondock off of that road years ago and IIRC, there are various places to do so. Nor have I been over Los Pinos Pass, which is above McDonough Lake. Those passes are some of the lowest crossings of the Continental Divide in the state, so they do melt out quickly. And based on the vegetation, they don't get as much precip as other areas nearby. Might be worth checking out. Let us know if you go how it turns out. You've made me add another name on our list of places to investigate! I do think I would head down to Saguache and then west from there to avoid going over Monarch. Poncha Pass is just so much easier. Probably an hour and a half past Salida, so if you can make Salida in 3 hours from your house . . .
Thanks for all that work.No problem. The Gunnison NF Ranger told me road 742 was closed where it turns to dirt jsut north of 209 (Cottonwood Pass Rd). Did you happen to notice that? He must have not been up there for a few days, I didn't see any closed road signs and a few of the locals were up doing spring cleaning at their cabins. The dirt road was like the paved in a few areas where only one lane was plowed, but it was open as far as I could see. We usually like going to Pothole #2, but it may still be frozen, too? Sorry, didn't make it up that far, but I assume there will be a little ice on it also.
Also considering the area around Saguach Park, Mc Donough, or Dome Lake. Any thoughts on that? Can't help you with the other two, but MC Donough Reservoir should be great and less snow and cold this time of year even though it's the same elevation as Taylor give or take. Plus there are some great boondocking sites. I read that Big Blue is 60 feet lower than high water level. That's true, it looks funny it is so low, but that isn't stopping all the recreators. Is that filling quick? It's starting to, the Gunnison is flowing big time. Maybe I should go retreive the fishing rod/reel I sacrificed to the fishing gods last Memorial Day. Probably to late, I've seen at least 5 people out there with metal detectors.
I am very open to the area around Gunnison. I would like to keep my drive from C-470/Quebec in Denver to ~4 hours, but am flexible on that. We plan to leave Denver Thursday at 4:00 PM so I would like to have some daylight in a newer to us area. I'll do some more scouting tonight at some of the lower sites and see what they look like, I'll post some more pics tonight. There is some super "canyon" boondocking sites up 31 off of 149 within a few miles of Blue Mesa. Gets a little dry later in the year, but in the spring it can't be beat. Nice streams, ton's of roads to explore, not very many people, etc.....Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thanks for your help!
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Dan, I had a graduation dinner to go to last night so I didn't get any pictures taken. But I did swing by a few of the sites after dark, was very cool with the almost full moon, and they are looking good, no snow what so ever and the trees and grass are nice and green. It's a nice back up plan if your other places fall through. We'll be heading out Friday night to camp, so if you see a black jacked up F150 and a Travel Star, stop in and say Hi.
Nahhhhhh, a little snow never hurt anybody. I'm a little bit worried about flooding, the Gunnison is now over it's bank in a lot of areas. But as far as the weather is concerned, I always make sure I can get my family out of where ever we are camped no matter what mother nature wants to throw at us.
I've never had to pull my HTT in the snow, just a little nervous about going over Berthoud pass tomorrow night. I'm heading to Williams Fork so maybe I will through the tunnel at the divide and up hwy 9 to get there instead of over the pass.
Popere,
I wouldn't worry too much about Berthoud Pass. I'm pretty sure it will be clear. They usually do a good job maintaining it. I'll be headed up that way also this weekend.
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