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**Serious Johnson** · 08-04-2006, 07:01 AM

I live about 10 miles east of Monarch Pass in Maysville, and will try to recon a bit. I couldn't tell ya' a durn thing about campgrounds in the area -- never use 'em, except that there are two NFS 'grounds on the trail up to my place. The upper one, North Fork Reservior, is at around 11,000'. My land starts 1,000' above that, and is a good place to camp if you don't mind cowering from lightning every afternoon. 74 private acres with a few old mine tunnels to explore.
Luxury accommodations:

Full facilities:

There are decent trails in the Salida area that would astonish almost anyone in the world, but they still don't compare to those around Ouray.

S.J.

**BRUTUS** · 08-04-2006, 08:35 AM

Seriously Serious... (sorry I had to say it), I think I saw your place to the north side of the highway west of monarch pass... I saw a rig that looks like yours and a parts rig. If Kenny and I weren't in so much of a hurry we would have stopped to say hi.

I wouldn't mind doing the Salida area. It will add 1-2 hours to the drive for the AZ folks. In turn... it takes 1-2 hours off my drive

. And my dad lives on the other side of Poncha Pass... south of Villa Grove. Welder, air, plasma cutter, heated shop, tow rig and flatbed hydraulic tilt trailer at my fingertips in Salida (just in case we need to install a low range unit or something

).

I hate to say it but as much as it might push the drive further out for the AZ folks... more CO folks would probably be there. I am game though.

**Ralph Rogers** · 08-04-2006, 10:33 AM

You all sure you want to camp out in the wilds?
Ralph

**Ralph Rogers** · 08-04-2006, 11:16 AM

I spent a little time in the area Don is talking about last year. It was nice, but it wasn't near as spectacular as the Ouray area. The off roading seemed to be as tame as the Ouray area too.
Not many good ghost towns. Crested Butte area, just North of Gunnison, was kinda neat. They have world skiing comp's there. But the campground just North of Gunison on the way to Taylor Res has really stinky outhouses. Then, farther up the road from there on the right is Cold Springs campgound. Last year I had the entire place to myself as you can't get big motorhomes and big trailors in. It has nice outhouses. There was a shrew there that bugged me though. Oh, and, ooh oooh oooh, just below the dam thingy at Taylor there are a lot of those red trouts. But then Leadville isn't that far from this area and there is this little Italian place that serves up a killer tiaramisu. And right next to the Italian place is a really good prime rib place that only serves prime rib. Kinda strange. But it would be a bit of a drive. Of course then there is Apsen up the trail, but lets not go there. They weren't nice.

But hey, if it gets changed to a nice place, that has something worth the drive, and it is as cool (temps) as the Ouray area, the 2 hour difference in the ride isn't that big of a deal. After all, if I don't like it, I don't have to go.
There are always issues about everything when you get enough people
together. Then there are some who just have issues.

Ralph

**ColeTrickle** · 08-08-2006, 05:08 PM

I got an opinion just as the next guy

Now take a breathe and read the next sentence slowly...

A band of travelling gypsy FSJ travelers...We start in Cortez, CO....end the week and final day in Ouray.

Ok, it was just a thought.

**Ralph Rogers** · 08-08-2006, 06:00 PM

You mean, like start at Flints.....?

**flatbackdragon** · 08-08-2006, 08:14 PM

front rangers do have some trails but are getting more crowded everyday, southern side CO.Springs down and west to 285 are sposed to have some good trails, CFSJAs should be able to tell you lots about those areas.
Loved going to RedCone but the area is getting overcamped last time we were there, you should watch the people getting out of lowlands into mountains every weekend, NUTS! and then they rush back Sunday afternoon and its trafficjam city from tunnels to Denver, Baily on down etc.
Gunnison, CrestedButte areas not near as crowded (yet) up to Monarch and south towards Lake City, same.
Northern CO has some good ones too, need to get over continental divide to get to less crowded areas,
If'n ya want harder trails, need to chk CFSJA or MileHighJeep Club, they seem to do some awesome roads at times, locked and loaded!
Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails 1 & 2 give a decent look at most of the trails, funny, I haven't been on many right around Grand Junction! In the desert just north of here, you are allowed to make new trails (as if someone hasn't been all over this place yet!)

**Don S** · 08-08-2006, 08:42 PM

..

... I haven?t done the area and done these trails in 10 years but in the Mosquito Range are a few 4x4 trails, passes and mountain tops. Fairplay is a near by town with good attractions, cafe and a motel. Fairplay is well south of Breckenridge tourist trap.
... The near by Passes are Weston, Breakneck, Brown, Mosquito, Boreas, and Georgia. There is Mount Lincoln and Mount Bross that are higher than Pike?s Peak and you can 4x4 to the top. It's a great view.

... There would be a secluded very primitive camping on the west side of Breakneck and Brown passes but they are the only way to access the area. Unfortunately the area is well named as Mosquitoes defiantly make their presents known at certain times/temeratures of the day.

I still vote for OURAY
Have a good one and

?Jeep Jeep!? CUL.. Don S..

**fulsizjeep** · 08-08-2006, 08:56 PM

Mr Cole...

hmmmmmmmmm.......

I am thinking about that FSJ gypsy comment there Mr. Wood.

We have one trail nearby we have not run to the end yet and probably should do that soon. It would be a good place to warm up to the mountains so to speak...

Hey There Hoss - Krista met yer Mom and Dad here at Mesa Verde the other day. Wait a sec. Don't leave the room yet. What was so dang important in Tahoe that you could not come to Ouray? Hmmmmm?

**srobertsfsj** · 08-08-2006, 08:57 PM

I have to agree with Don S. I think Ouray is the best. I haven't done any extensive exploring of "areas" around Colorado, but I have been on various trails around the state and nothing compares. I like the idea of something a little closer then 6 - 7 hours but I really think Ouray is just the coolest place anywhere. Meaning, its worth the drive to me.

**ColeTrickle** · 08-08-2006, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by fulsizjeep

hmmmmmmmmm.......

Wait a sec. Don't leave the room yet. What was so dang important in Tahoe that you could not come to Ouray? Hmmmmm?

It was all about a gambling chance...Do I gamble with making the Ouray trip and losing out in a 30 year old Jeep truck and a round trip of 2000 miles with busted parts and whatever else or....

Make the trip to Tahoe on a plane and gamble my trip being payed for with my winnings.

Which I succeeded in doing

It was all about my odds...on the wheel

**will e** · 08-08-2006, 10:15 PM

I would have to put in a vote for one more Ouray trip. Although I did 'black bear' (oooohhh scarrryyyy) I didn't get to to Imongine or the 'difficult' one that starts with a 'p'. So I have good reason to go back. Also, I did Govenor's but I think there was a LOT more there to see.

I think I can drag the wife up next year. We would probably do a cabin or hotel if she joins us. Just my 2 cents...

**fulsizjeep** · 08-09-2006, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by ColeTrickle

It was all about a gambling chance...Do I gamble with making the Ouray trip and losing out in a 30 year old Jeep truck and a round trip of 2000 miles with busted parts and whatever else or....

Make the trip to Tahoe on a plane and gamble my trip being payed for with my winnings.

Which I succeeded in doing

It was all about my odds...on the wheel

Well, I dunno... Yes, Ouray is a gamble too. Especially in a 30 year old Rambler/Jeep. We may have to run a poll to see if the collective buys into that idea there Mr. Wood. Did you bring your safety seal in case the wheel went flat?

**fulsizjeep** · 08-09-2006, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by will e

I would have to put in a vote for one more Ouray trip. Although I did 'black bear' (oooohhh scarrryyyy) I didn't get to to Imongine or the 'difficult' one that starts with a 'p'. So I have good reason to go back. Also, I did Govenor's but I think there was a LOT more there to see.

I think I can drag the wife up next year. We would probably do a cabin or hotel if she joins us. Just my 2 cents...

Poughkeepsie - P-oh-kip-see

I see this going to a collective decision to keep our Invasions centered around Ouray. That's cool. SJ made a good point with wondering why we do it when the monsoons are throwing lightning, rain, hail and sometimes snow at us. Well, we started out with Recon missions (99, 00, 01) and the original Invasion in 02 around the end of August and Labor Day. For those with families and children that need to start school ealier each year, we moved it back to mid July. The chances of snow are greater at that time, but less for radical monsoon conditions.

That said, are there any thoughts on pushing the Invasion back into August?

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moving beyond the Ouray experience

moving beyond the Ouray experience

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