39 mile atv trails near canon city

sfrasher · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2011, 01:46 PM

We are going to be moving to a new house in the mountains between Canon City and Hartsel, on the southern edge of South Park. Anyone know some awesome places to go? When I lived there before, I used to go 4-wheeling in a truck, but I am brand new to ATVing.

ultrarider1 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2011, 07:02 PM

My wife and I are new to atv'ing also. My best friend let us ride his for awhile. Now we have our own Polaris 550 Touring. We went into South Park ( Hartsel is in South Park ) right over Kenosha Pass, West side , is Lost park Road. A ton of trials there. Also out of Como to
Boreas Pass. You might want to look for a book by the name of " ATV Trails Guide, Colorado Central Mountains" Shows 32 trails and rates them for difficulty, length, etc ..... Barnes and Noble has this book for about $18 There is another by the same author but I don't have it yet.
Keep in touch. We are looking for more people to ride with. Have FUN!

MiTT · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2011, 07:26 PM

My wife and I have a place in an area called The Buffalo, not far from Tarryall Resevior (east of Como). We're about a mile from Pike National Forest access and there are about 700 miles of open trails in the area. Pretty cold up there now, but awesome riding late spring to early fall. We like an area called Packer Gulch pretty well We have a 550 X2. Might be fun to do a group ride next spring.

ultrarider1 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2011, 02:26 AM

Good morning ( well, it's 4:16 AM. Not sure how "good" that is ) My wife and I have the same machine. Our's is blue. We love it. I have had it out three times. She has only been able to go once. It is still being broken in. We just got it October 1st.
Another book to look at. Delorme Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer. Detailed topographic maps with back roads, recreations sites, GPS grids, forest services roads, etc .... About $20. I got mine at a AAA office but Barnes and Noble has them I think.

ultrarider1 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2011, 05:45 AM

When I was riding in that area we were off of Rock Creek Hills Road ( CR39 ) which runs between Tarryall Road and Lost Park Road. A lot of trails lead off or cross that road. When you first get onto the road from Tarryall road there are quite a few homes ( cabins ). Is that the general area you have your place ? There are so many nice little developments around there.
I have been looking on the map for the Packer Gulch but can't find it. As far as doing a group ride next year, heck yes!

Later,

bobx2 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2011, 12:33 PM

That location should put you within a couple hour drive from St. Elmo. You could ride for a couple of weeks up there without riding the same trails. You can access Taylor Park, to Taylor Pass and end up near Aspen. Hundreds of miles of trails in that area. Some of the best riding in Colorado.

ultrarider1 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-02-2011, 12:08 PM

Thanks! I looked in my trails gazette and found where you were talking about. Man, a LOT of riding in that area. I was at Taylor res. a LONG time ago but it was very pretty up there. We will have to make that a " for sure go to" next spring.

Thanks again.

bobx2 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2011, 06:36 AM

Haha, sorry, I should have been a little more specific about where St. Elmo is. When I ride up there I stay in the Taylor Park area to be more centrally located. It's about 3 1/2 hours from my place, so I make a week trip out of it. sfrasher,from where you are moving to I think you could go there for a day ride, and that is why I suggested St. Elmo. Then you wouldn't have to drive over Cottonwood Pass but could still access all the same trails.

ultrarider1 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-07-2011, 08:00 AM

I found Packer Gulch that you were telling us about. FS 144 off of Turner Gulch Road, correct? What kind of riding? I mean a little challenging , easy, too easy or what? I am sitting here wishing to get out again. Only been able to ride our new Polaris 3 times.

bobx2 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-07-2011, 12:48 PM

There is also a bunch of good riding just west out of Central City. There are no seasonal gates to worry about and plenty of trails. A good place to get out and ride in the snow. I have only been up there one time when I was breaking the trail, the rest of the times there are other atv tracks leading the way. The wife and I rode up there the day after x-mas last year and have ridden up there on new years day before.
This is in the area of St. Marys Glacier, Kingston Peak, Yankee Hill and Miners Gulch.