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Thread: North Sand Hills July 23ish

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    Default North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Hoping to go to the North Sand Hills that week. Probably go up on Thursday via backroads from Masonville / Horsetooth, wheel the dunes on Friday morning, but it's all flexible. Things are starting to open up in that area, I htink by mid July it should be good to go. Average temps there in July are 75 / 45.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Keeping an eye on this.



    If you wished to travel a couple trails "on the way"...

    Google Map: Start @ Horsetooth, via Masonville to 44H with Moody Hill & Quarry back to 44H to Pennock Pass to Pingree Road to CO-14

    Google Map: Start @ Horsetooth, via Masonville to Old Flowers Road to Pingree Road to CO-14 (time is if you walked - I couldn't route it driving)

    OR

    Cherokee Park to Laramie River Valley with a jump over the mountain, perhaps with a stop to Old Roach, before dropping into the north sand flats...

    Google Map: 80C - county gravel road (mostly)

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    The current plan, always flexible...

    CR23 Horsetooth Reservoir Road- paved
    CR52E Rist Canyon Road- paved
    FR152 Old Flowers Road- easy 4x4
    FR131 Pingree Road- dirt
    Highway 14- paved
    FR225 Sevenmile Creek- easy 4x4
    CR162 Manhattan Road- dirt
    CR162 Deadman Road- dirt
    CR80C- dirt
    CR103 Larimie River Road- dirt
    FR200 Hohnholz Lakes Road- dirt
    FR204 / CR46- dirt
    CR6E / CR6S North Sand Hills- moderate 4x4

    After a night there we hope to continue on to Steamboat and down to Vail:
    Highway 127- paved
    Highway 125- paved
    CR6W / FS80 Hog Park- dirt
    FS496- dirt
    FS550 Whiskey Park Road- dirt
    CR129- paved
    Highway 40 Steamboat Springs- paved
    CR14 Yellow Jacket Pass- dirt
    CR16 Simpson Mountain- dirt
    FR206 Jolly Creek- dirt
    CR11 / FR212 Blacktail Creek- dirt
    CR111 Yarmony Creek- dirt
    CR2 / CR31 Copper Spur Road- dirt
    Highway 131- paved
    Red Sandstone Road / Muddy Creek- dirt

    We will see when the time comes, I'm hoping to sell my camping trailer next week and am not sure what it will be replaced with yet. We may end up in a hotel, or maybe a Yurt at State Forest State Park. IDK yet, but the dates are pretty solid.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Going to postpone this until august, going hiking near Crested Butte instead that week.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    K - still keeping an eye open.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Would definitely like to go back itwas fun!!!!!

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    It was a lot of fun! We are going to theWest Elk Wilderness instead next week, hiking the Mill-Castle trail, but I'd love to get a Sand Hills run together soon.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    I've been wanting to go to the sand hills for a long time, though I'm only available on weekends.

    The only weekend I'm not available in August would be the weekend of the 22nd - I've got a reservation to hike to Hanging Lake then

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Paul previously posted:
    "It was a lot of fun! We are going to theWest Elk Wilderness instead next week, hiking the Mill-Castle trail, but I'd love to get a Sand Hills run together soon."

    You'll like it. I 've hiked/backpacked/hunted alot in the west elks. Grew up in Gunnison.
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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    The Mill-Castle trail is fantastic if anyone is looking for something https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE...prd3828139.pdf. There is even a mile and a half of easy 4x4 trail in the beginning beyond the first parking lot, and we only saw two other groups of people the whole time. You will want sandals or something for the creek, the bottom is all rocks and there is no clear place to cross, you just do it. If you just went to the creek and turned back it would be a great 1/2 day hike. We drove Cottonwood Pass, Taylor River Road, Ohio Pass and Kebler Pass and liked them all. The improvements on Cottonwood are impressive, and 742 Taylor River road may be the prettiest paved road I've been on. On the downside Crested Butte was beyond crowded and the area around tincup / Hancock / Alpine tunnel was a sea of ATVs even on a weekday morning. Another plus was the Sherpa Cafe in Gunnison, excellent food.

  13. The Following 3 Members Say Thanks to Java For This Post:

    Brian (July 23rd, 2020),Jim (July 23rd, 2020),Tom (July 23rd, 2020)

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Sounds like your went in via Mill Creek. I lost the gas tank on my dad's 1965 Chevy Caprice up there one time.

    Love the trail as you walk through the Castles!

    There's a cave along the right side cliffs as you hike up along Mill Creek. Spent the night in it once. Coldest time I can ever remember. Was not prepared.
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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Tom previously posted:
    "I lost the gas tank on my dad's 1965 Chevy Caprice up there one time."

    ??? Hold muh beer-n-watch this ???

    Did the complete gas tank separate from the vehicle or was it a puncture ??? Inquiring minds `n all.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Jim previously posted:
    "??? Hold muh beer-n-watch this ???

    Did the complete gas tank separate from the vehicle or was it a puncture ??? Inquiring minds `n all."

    It was laying on the ground with the fuel line still attached. They were strapped in, and I was able to jury right it back on cause it only had about 1/4 tank of gas and get home. That was the last time I ever drove one of my father vehicles. To say he was pissed is an understatement.

    Actually I was with my younger sister. I think her boy friend was camping up there if I remember correctly. I was a nice brother. She was probably 15.
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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Tom previously posted:
    "It was laying on the ground with the fuel line still attached."


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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    My wife pointed out a cool cave on the side of the creek, maybe 75 or 100 feet above the main trail, looked like it might have two entrances next to each other, or maybe a rock dividing one? Next time I'llhave to check it out.

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    Default Re: North Sand Hills July 23ish



    Anyone want to go to the sand hills before it gets too chilly? Maybe this weekend?

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