South Fork

[Java]

Spent a few days down in South Fork and hit a few 4x4 trails along the way and around the area. We started down 285 but took Elkhorn Road to 24 to avoid some highway and then turned off on 301 near Buena Vista. I used a hitch carrier that I modified by cutting the tongue and welding in a 2" square tube as a spacer with some reinforcements on the sides and stopped by the Fourmile area to check the clearance on one of the tougher trails. It works great, no scraping at all.

[Java]

The next day we went to the Great Sand Dunes and drove up and back out of Medano Pass. Not all the way to the Westcliffe side, just a few water crossings and some stops along the way. Just before the first water crossing if you're starting from the park, the last one if you're coming from Medano pass there is a pullover. There are a couple of cool old cabins there, good place to get out and stretch your legs. In one of the pics you can see a mountain range behind the dunes, the space between the peaks is Music Pass, a fantastic 4x4/hike combo on the Westcliffe side. The 4x4 road was pretty empty on a weekday, more horses than vehicles, but the visitor center and dunes parking area were packed. It was a lot of fun, and despite the weather forecast saying no rain it did rain the night before; that was great, it made the sand super easy to drive on and we baha'd some sections.

[Java]

Next day we went to Wheeler Geologic Area and practiced the most important solo wheeling skill of all- we gave up and turned around. It rained again the night before and the area was muddy AF. Just before the intersection we ran into a guy in a Gladiator who got turned around by a bog a little further in. We drove up to said bog and decided it was too much to deal with if I had to self-recover. I could only winch through it, turn around and winch back the way we came, and that would just be stupid. We were still a couple of miles in, and Pool Table road is just gorgeous the whole way so we stopped a few times on the way out and set up chairs, shot some timelapses, had food. It was awesome and we didn't get stuck! We'll get it next time. The road has been closed for about a year due to rain and use damage, there are signs asking you to turn in asshats as you can. There are also signs for Livestock Guardian Dogs which I have encountered before and have huge respect (fear) for. The shot of my Jeep next to the river is across the street from Pool table road, the whole area is stunning.

Since we wrapped up earlier than expected we went over to Creede and drove the Bachelor Loop plus a loop around the town. There is a Ranger Station there with MVUMs for Divide. The Bachelor Loop was beautiful and fun, we also checked out the Creede Cemetery. Creede is a cool little town.

[Java]

Took the scenic way home past the Castles on 307 and through Mushroom Gulch 308 / 318, the campsites are beautiful and the leaves are turning. We went down 24 to Tarryall and took 211 / Goose Creek over to Deckers road, it was a great drive with a lot of dispered camping. I forgot how much fun that road is, and the shelf section on the east side got all of my attention. It goes through the Hayman burn scar and is just incredible.

[TjMike]

Looks like you guys had a great trip with lots of stops. Sucks you didnt make it into the Wheeler Geological area. Have you been to that area before? Just amazing scenery.
Hopefully it wasnt getting too cold at night tent camping. Great photos!

[Java]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun but we did not camp, the carrier is just to keep the Jeep empty. We rented one of these https://www.riverclubvacationrentals.com/ and I'm glad we did, it rained every night and got down into the 30s.

[TjMike]

Java previously posted:

[Java]

Drivelapse of the Bachelor Loop from a couple of years ago in our Xterra



Drivelapse of Goose Creek east to west also from a couple of years ago. It was beautiful then but it's much prettier now, a lot of new growth especially with all the rain.