All things Colorado

[Rancho]

As a 20+ year resident of CO I just shuttered at this drive. I have done it in the winter in my old job in the brewery industry. :beer:
:icon_crazy:

Is 550 plowed all the way from Durango/Silverton to Ouray? I have always wondered if Silverton and Ouray "shut down" during winter.

 

[Linebacker]

As a 20+ year resident of CO I just shuttered at this drive. I have done it in the winter in my old job in the brewery industry. :beer:
:icon_crazy:

Yessir, it's a hairy drive in the winter. San Juan County is legendary for their ability to keep 550 open in the worst conditions. They are bad ass. There are crosses along the way where plow truck drivers have gone over the side.

 

[Lil Nasty]

Well the wife and I were planning on pulling the jeep up there behind the coach. In you alls opinion, when is the best time of year to visit this area?

 

[WJCO]

Well the wife and I were planning on pulling the jeep up there behind the coach. In you alls opinion, when is the best time of year to visit this area?

Truthfully we get a lot of sun here. There's are really only about 15-20 days per year that are miserable to be on the road. But go figure, you plan a trip ahead of time and then happen to be driving through during those bad conditions. May/June is beautiful as the green really starts coming through with the rain and the snow melt. Any time of the year is pretty though in the mountains here.

 

[Jackal01]

Well the wife and I were planning on pulling the jeep up there behind the coach. In you alls opinion, when is the best time of year to visit this area?

Truthfully we get a lot of sun here. There's are really only about 15-20 days per year that are miserable to be on the road. But go figure, you plan a trip ahead of time and then happen to be driving through during those bad conditions. May/June is beautiful as the green really starts coming through with the rain and the snow melt. Any time of the year is pretty though in the mountains here.

Obviously not a CO resident but the handful of times I have traveled to CO has been in May and June and it has been perfect. Snow on some mountains. Cool to cold at night, day time comfortably warm. Can't really get much better, IMO. Next trip we want to go at the season change from summer to fall...want to see a tad more snow and fall colors. Is that a good time frame with trails still open as well?

 

[Lil Nasty]

Truthfully we get a lot of sun here. There's are really only about 15-20 days per year that are miserable to be on the road. But go figure, you plan a trip ahead of time and then happen to be driving through during those bad conditions. May/June is beautiful as the green really starts coming through with the rain and the snow melt. Any time of the year is pretty though in the mountains here.

Good to know. The wife and I like to travel to places on the off seasons. Haven't been farther west or northwest than Texas, so I'm not sure what's up there.

 

[WJCO]

Obviously not a CO resident but the handful of times I have traveled to CO has been in May and June and it has been perfect. Snow on some mountains. Cool to cold at night, day time comfortably warm. Can't really get much better, IMO. Next trip we want to go at the season change from summer to fall...want to see a tad more snow and fall colors. Is that a good time frame with trails still open as well?

Yes, they litterally just closed most of the trails by me within the last week. If you want fall colors in the mountains, come the last week in September or first week in October. What sucks though is in one day with good wind, most of the leaves can be gone. It can be tricky to plan. If you want some fall colors, I would recommend Kenosha Pass between Denver and Fairplay on 285 or do the peak to peak run from Idaho Springs to Estes Park (119/72/7).

 

[Jackal01]

Yes, they litterally just closed most of the trails by me within the last week. If you want fall colors in the mountains, come the last week in September or first week in October. What sucks though is in one day with good wind, most of the leaves can be gone. It can be tricky to plan. If you want some fall colors, I would recommend Kenosha Pass between Denver and Fairplay on 285 or do the peak to peak run from Idaho Springs to Estes Park (119/72/7).

You got what I meant but it should have said " what is a good time frame...?"

I will surely look into what you said. :beer:

 

[Linebacker]

A rule of thumb for other than the high mountains is Mother's Day-Fall colors. The high mountains would be July-September. Of course this is CO so anything can happen. Coloradans and a s@#tload of Texans head to the San Juans in July-Aug, and if you hit the trails on weekday mornings while everyone else is still in bed scratchin' themselves you'll have a nice trail experience. The mountains west of Denver and Colo Spgs are also best on weekdays when folks are working. So many trails, so little time. Good luck and enjoy the State.:yup:

 

[CastleRockJeep]

The local news here will be updating the best dates to see the fall colors. It seems to vary a bit every year, I'd suggest looking to those if you have enough flexibility in your schedule to possibly flex your plans a week or two.

 

[Jackal01]

The local news here will be updating the best dates to see the fall colors. It seems to vary a bit every year, I'd suggest looking to those if you have enough flexibility in your schedule to possibly flex your plans a week or two.

Solid advice. I can probably do 2-4 weeks out. I'll keep this in mind.

 

[Silverton34]

We are right on the edge of looking for a retirement home either in Texas, Arizona or Colorado. I need access to an airport once a month as I have a business in Illinois I will need to visit and the wife hates cold. Are there some/many nice warm days in Castle Rock in mid winter? I guess I'm asking if the snow cover lasts for months or does it melt quickly?

 

[CastleRockJeep]

Usually it melts pretty quick. Castle Rock is awesome though I will say you could buy a lot more home for the $ in Tx. With that said I'm not moving...

 

[Silverton34]

I think we will need to spend a month in the Castle Rock area in the winter to get a good feel for the area. I don't want to have to own something in AZ also just for the winter months but my wife hates cold.

I fear living in an area with too many retired people, we are 53 and 47 and don't act like we are retired!

 

[WJCO]

Usually it melts pretty quick. Castle Rock is awesome though I will say you could buy a lot more home for the $ in Tx. With that said I'm not moving...

We love Castle Rock. Sadly we only go down there to shop usually. Pretty area though. If you are a golfer, I highly recommend Beardance in Larkspur. Nicest course I've ever played on in my entire life.

 

[WJCO]

I think we will need to spend a month in the Castle Rock area in the winter to get a good feel for the area. I don't want to have to own something in AZ also just for the winter months but my wife hates cold.

I fear living in an area with too many retired people, we are 53 and 47 and don't act like we are retired!

If you're from Iowa, Colorado is mellow. As long as you aren't in the high country, we actually have great weather year round. Many days of sunshine. It can be 20 one day and 70 the next. Happens on a regular basis. I went camping one February night around 9000 feet and it only got down in the 30s. The weather comes and goes.

 

[catahoula]

Castle Rock does look beautiful....

So what towns amp up the holidays....lights, festivals.

Has anyone ever been to the chile and frijole festival in Pueblo?

 

[WJCO]

Castle Rock does look beautiful....

So what towns amp up the holidays....lights, festivals.

Has anyone ever been to the chile and frijole festival in Pueblo?

I know Estes Park is well decorated while you shop, but that's way far north. Pike's Peak has an old cog train that goes up the mountain and they do a Christmas theme. I've never done it in the winter but I hear it's kid-friendly. http://www.cograilway.com/santa-trains.asp.

We did it in October and it's a pretty cool experience.

 

[catahoula]

I know Estes Park is well decorated while you shop, but that's way far north. Pike's Peak has an old cog train that goes up the mountain and they do a Christmas theme. I've never done it in the winter but I hear it's kid-friendly. http://www.cograilway.com/santa-trains.asp.

We did it in October and it's a pretty cool experience.

Yup getting closer to the move over 1700 miles hauling the jeep on a trailer! Can't wait to explore.

 

[CastleRockJeep]

Castle Rock does look beautiful....

So what towns amp up the holidays....lights, festivals.

Has anyone ever been to the chile and frijole festival in Pueblo?

Best thing around is Saturday, Star lighting. There is like a 60ft tall star in castle rock the whole town gathers has chili in the fire house and a beer for the count down.