WF09 Routes, Tracks and riding info.

I'm definitely up for that loop. Looks fun!

Here are some helpful links for people trying to plan rides up towards the Aspen area:

4X4 trails
Summary of some of the trails
Pearl Pass (I'd like to ride this one)

Good Stuff! Pearl is easier from CB towards Aspen
I think Hair has a gpx. of Italian Creek to Reno Divide with a track drawn to Am Flag Summit.
If Italian Creek isn't running too high go south on Lily Pond Trail, easy singletrack to the Forest Hill Mine to road 748.

this will be my first WF too. do we have to sign up for rides beforehand, or can we just figure that out the night or morn of the ride?

If you are lucky enough to find a ride that has been posted online before the event. Then forsure let the ride poster know that you want to go with.

Otherwise you need to keep your ears open in the mornings when everyone is fixing to head out. You can ask to be inlcuded on that ride.

cool, thanks hair, lookin foreward to meeting you all

new servers eh? was going to upload a Mt. Antero gpx. but attachments are still disabled.

Mt Antero attached below...

Italian Creek

Pearl Pass

Taylor Pass

Nice work vmabuck! I still can't upload, maybe try the laptop later. Do you have Italian Creek Road?

Look on the bottom of page 2...

sounds good to me with the detour what day and time you thinking?

I have been looking at this one all morning for a full-day dual-sport ride. I have riden part of this route, but don't know the passes and trail to the north (Taylor Pass, Pearl Pass, etc). For those of you who know the area, would this be ok for bigger bikes?

Here is the active link.... Google Maps Link

Bigger bike meaning V-strom? Neither taylor or pearl are vstrom friendly. I've only ridden pearl once years ago in the easier direction and I don't care to go back. You've ridden Tincup Pass?
From south of Taylor reservoir to Almont 742 is paved, there is a gravel road 748 that roughly paralells it to the north that would be just fine for a strom, it runs just south of cement creek reservoir and ends up near Almont.
If you were talking about your xl600 in your profile you can ride it about anywhere.

John, I have done all that in the Jeep at one time or another. Pearl will be very dificult on the strom. Taylor, once you get up the first hill is probably not so bad, but will be a challenge. Tin Cup,(if not snowed in) would be doable. Don't try Hancock. It's been probably 15-20 yrs or so since I was up Pearl or Taylor. Tincup has been about 5 yrs as has Hancock. Easy to get to the Old Alpine tunnel from the Pitkin side, but not the Tincup side.

Thanks for the feedback. I will have to mull this one over a little further. I really want to do this ride, but I am much more concerned about getting my 17 and 18 year old sons, on their XL600's into trouble.....than I am about getting over my head on the Strom. My WeeStrom has upgraded suspension, crash bars, TouraTech skid plate and TKC's......and I will take it a lot of places where get a lot of funny looks from guys and gals on 250's and 400's.....like: "What the hell are you doing on that thing, up here?"

At WF08 last year, I rode Hurricane and Cinnamon and thought they were pretty easy.

If I do this ride Norm, you want to join me on your DRZ?

I've ridden a number of the passes being mentioned here, all on either a 640 adventure or 525 EXC.

Here is my experience:

Cottonwood - easy on anything - graded dirt

Old Monarch - same

Kebler, Ohio - same, but to agree with Hair treated with MgChloride, so wash your bike after wards, especially if wet (MgCl attacks aluminum)

Tincup, Hancock - rocky, loose and embedded - I've seen this done on large bikes, including GS, and I've seen Hancock destroy a 950 adventure. Don't approach these two lightly.

Napoleon - did it on the 640. MANY tree roots, best suited for pure dirt bikes.

Taylor - much of this is on the order of Hancock and Tincup, however, this year, with all the snow and moisture, you have to ride up a section of the Taylor River (yes, right up the middle of it), but it's nothing like east coast and midwest rivers. It is a really rocky river bed and if it has more than 6 inches of water in it, it could be a real problem. Be prepared to eat some crow and turn around.

Pearl - Harder than everything except Napoleon (that I am familiar with). Rode it on the 640, from Aspen to CB. Encountered one 50 yard section that took us an hour to get 4 bikes across. Don't take this pass lightly either. Also, ran into snow at the pass (Aspen side) that we had to break trail through, AT THE END OF THE SUMMER! The message is the pass simply may not be open.

Cumberland - haven't ridden it, but I think it is also graded, pretty easy

They are all fun, if you're ready for them.

Take the jeep trails to the top of American Flag (unless you are extremely hard core - then try the Star Trail - if you can't ride the Lily Pond, stay off the Star). There is also a single track down from American Flag that is loose, steep and rocky, dirt bike material.

See you all in a few weeks.

Taylor - much of this is on the order of Hancock and Tincup, however, this year, with all the snow and moisture, you have to ride up a section of the Taylor River (yes, right up the middle of it), but it's nothing like east coast and midwest rivers. It is a really rocky river bed and if it has more than 6 inches of water in it, it could be a real problem. Be prepared to eat some crow and turn around.

Pearl - Harder than everything except Napoleon (that I am familiar with). Rode it on the 640, from Aspen to CB. Encountered one 50 yard section that took us an hour to get 4 bikes across. Don't take this pass lightly either. Also, ran into snow at the pass (Aspen side) that we had to break trail through, AT THE END OF THE SUMMER! The message is the pass simply may not be open.


Now you really have me second-guessing this route.