Coming to Colorado to ride? Some things to consider...

Thanks guys- just cancelled my June camping reservations- be there in Aug-Sep time frame- hoping for no early snow!

Had absolutely Fantastic weather this past week riding spots between Grand Junction and Moab.
Lousy drive out through the snow storm in Denver that cancelled the Hard Rock Race in Canon City, and an even worse drive back with all the rain.
Left Saturday Morning from Moab, to drive non-stop back to NH. 37 hours.
Just missed the tornado in Eastern Colorado, but found the golf ball size hail that had to have done $10,000 to my truck. Cars were wiping out left and right.
We could see the edge of the front and made a break for it. Windshield broken but only on the passenger side so we kept on trucking!

Welcome to Colorado?

The winter of 2015/2016 may end up being the season that never ends. May 16th and getting snow at upper elevations. Chain laws on several mountain passes. For those thinking "June will be Summer" it may very well be an abnormally late season for getting into the high trails.

Yup. Pretty heavy rain/hail/thunder/lightning storm going on at our house right now. Looks like big rain storms (snow up high?) all week in the San Juans. The mud season will last a while at this rate.

Well rain will help lower the snowpack, but they are calling for a freeze up high...so any gain on snow may be lost if we get a good freeze and turns things to ice. You still have work to do.

Yes, boss...

We'll be starting trail clearing this weekend at lower elevations as part of our normal 100 square mile area we take care of. We'll see if Ramz gets his thread started. I know from last weeks report, most high country trails are still snow packed up to about 9500 ft. - 10,000ft.

Checking back in for a quick update.

I have all but written off the TAT passes in CO for mid-to-late June due to the high snowfall this year. It sucks but it is what it is...

I am in Oark, AR getting ready to cross OK on the TAT and I am eyeballing my CO itinerary which should start by this coming weekend. I ran into some riders from out east on the TAT that swore they had been told that the passes on the TAT are now fully open. I am highly skeptical but since I am headed that way and have some tire decisions to make soon - I wanted to see what some of the true locals knew about pass conditions for the TAT.

Should I continue to look at my options around the closed passes or is this rumor true about them being open?

Thanks

Just one of several places that will tell you what passes are open: https://soajeep.com/trail-maps-conditions/trail-conditions/

The short answer is that some are open and others are still closed. Google man, GOOGLE!

my GPR carbon slip on the Moto Guzzi Stelvio.... is not quiet... i measured with iphone app and it rumbles at 98dB open throttle to cruise rpm...

how strident are the sound police? i am looking at doing some Rout and Roosevelt N Forrest area stuff soon... going to do the C route of the Moose Rally next weekend (30th)

We prefer you figure out how to make it quiet, it's not the police, it's the other NF users that will have one More Motörhead to complain about. It takes us seconds to pass them on noisy bikes they will still talk about it a year from now when trail closures are discussed.

I am going to be in Ouray next week with my Tenere and wife. This is probably been asked so many times before but what are the easiest passes on a big bike, or even scenic dirt roads? She may not ride with me the day I do a little off roading. Thanks for any input. Td

Hey Td,
If you're riding double up. Ophir is a good pass that'll get you to Telluride. to get back over the mountain Imogene is great but harder than Ophir. Another alternative is Last Dollar to Ridgeway and back down to Ouray on a little pavement. If you want to stick to the Silverton/Ouray corridor, go up Corkscrew from Ironton. From there you can hit Hurricane and California then drop down to Animas Forks for a walk around. If you're feeling adventurous, head up to Cinnamon or Engineer (the highlight of the day) as an out and back before heading back to Silverton. If you are riding solo, you can't go wrong on any of that or a longer day to Lake City. Give us a call at the shop in Durango if you want some help route planning.

Just did the TAT thru many of those passes on my Tenere in June. They are spectacular. Difficulty is relative to your ability, I guess but I felt the Tenere did very well on Cinnamon, Hurricane, California, Corkscrew, and Ophir passes. The scenery and the riding is phenomenal. Take your time and enjoy the mountains.

I followed your Ride Report it was awesome. Your skill level is quite a bit different than mine I have to admit. I didn't expect my wife to plan on riding when we get there like she says she is going to do. Where ever I end up it will be beautiful.

Thanks, the Tenere just seems to really like that stuff so I am not sure it was pilot or machine. Regardless... everything in that area is beautiful so you are sure to have fun. I felt that the Alpine Loop and Ophir were the easiest of the passes. From Ouray, Ophir makes a nice loop that will include Telluride and some great paved mtn riding.

no one mentioned snow




or, the frequent need to nap at high altitudes




or, even at the mid elevations:



ah, but what a place!

Awesome shots. Especially coming through the snow.

That was pretty fun. as long as you ignored the 800 foot drop to the left. Red Cone kicked our asses, tho