Friday, July 1, 2011

Backroad Jeep Trip - Weston Pass

(Leadville, Colorado) 72 degrees, blue skies with a few clouds

Flowers in Leadville


On our way home from Leadville we took a backroad trip to Fairplay  For Father's Day I got John a guide called Colorado Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails by Charles Wells.  It is a great guide with lots of maps and each trail is rated (easy, moderate, or difficult).  The one we chose was rated as "easy".  In our most humble opinion it was not at all easy.  We had to travel very slowly and John had to maneuver very carefully to avoid bottoming out.  A high clearance jeep or similar is a must especially for the first 10 miles due to the huge boulders and ruts.




We did enjoy the trip and the views were spectacular . We ascended up to 11,921 feet high above tree level.  We saw a few wildflowers and a pretty waterfall. 



Above tree line

There were a few abandoned cabins and mines.  Some nice primitive campgrounds along the South Platte River were seen. 


It was certainly challenging and we both decided that we were not ready for anything more challenging than an easy trail...at least for awhile.  :)


Happy Trails!
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8 comments:

  1. Sue MaloneJuly 2, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Beautiful skies, gorgeous mountains, brilliant flowers. Colorado is just so incredibly beautiful, and those back roads really are fun, right? That is why we tow a Tracker and not some kind of sedan!

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  2. HappytrailsJuly 2, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    What a beautiful road trip!! Thanks for sharing it with us and taking such awesome pics!!

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  3. Sue and DougJuly 2, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    a great jeeping day!..thanks for sharing all the bumps!!!

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  4. RickJuly 2, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Like the other commenters have already said - beautiful photos of a truly scenic area. Your Jeep sure makes it possible to get out on some backroads to really get some great shots.

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  5. Kevin ReadJuly 2, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Love the scenery. Glad you very able to make the drive. Slow and easy is the best way to do some of those type of trails. Still looks pretty chilly way up there.

    Kevin and Ruth
    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  6. pidgeJuly 3, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Beautiful scenery pictures. I'm with you on the easy trails, but looks like it was well worth it. Stay safe.

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  7. Jane DeanJuly 3, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    You are reminding me of how much I love Colorado. Haven't been there in the RV, can't wait to do that.

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  8. Kevin & SherylJuly 5, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Nice trip, glad to see your using the Jeep for what it was designed for. As Jeeping trails go,it is an easy one, you should see the moderate and hards ones, whew!!!
    We love getting out on the Back Roads in our 4x4 also, it just adds that next level to our Fulltiming adventure.

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