darren_kilgore
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Posts posted by darren_kilgore
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<p>I would suspect Lizard Lake would be the furthest you'd want to drive. There is a pullout on the far end of the lake before it goes over and downhill immediately after.</p>
<p>The shadows start to encroach in the pool below around 4:30. So, around 4:00 is optimal with light on the structure, otherwise if you're good at blending, then you won't be as limited.</p>
<p>I think the trees immediately behind go a touch earlier than the rest in the area. While I've not shot here but maybe a couple times around peak color, the 27th-30th would be the range I'd suggest planning for. I can't find any of my digital snapshots at the moment to confirm the date stamps. Perhaps someone else can confirm, but if not, those dates should be close to spot-on.</p>
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<p>CR 3 (I didn't even know the road number until you made me look) is the main approach, which is also the easiest. This road is a 2WD road requiring moderate clearance. The only time I use 4WD is for engine braking on Daniels Hill at the very beginning on the way down; it's not necessary for traction purposes. As for current information, the road really hasn't changed over time, so there won't be any news on that. I've been meaning to post the full-length, ~35-minute video of the drive on my site since spring to give potential travelers a better idea of it, but haven't gotten to it yet.</p>
<p>As with most mountain roads, if you get to a point you're not comfortable in driving further, back up until you find a pullout to park or turn around. I know Subarus have been seen going up this road, and I saw an Outback after Lizard Lake on a trip here this spring. The likes of a Ford Escape, for example, would be sufficient on this road and would be better suited than the likes of an Outback. Tough to make a solid recommendation without knowing what you have.</p>
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<p>Glad that was helpful, Rick. No problem! I figured pictures would be more descriptive than words. I hope you get some good pictures on your trip and enjoy your time out here.</p>
<p>Thanks for the compliments on my stuff. I appreciate that! Take care.</p>
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<p>Glad that was helpful, Rick. No problem! I figured pictures would be more descriptive than words. I hope you get some good pictures on your trip and enjoy your time out here.</p>
<p>Thanks for the compliments on my stuff. I appreciate that! Take care.</p>
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<p>To illustrate my point on the Wheeler road, the first picture is the roughest section from the driver's point of view. Not much for a sense of scale, but the rocks are small and pose no clearance issues to anything. They're just bumpy and chatty. I misspoke earlier about it being a talus section. The second picture is really the only other rocky section, which is at the eastern apex of the road at the East Bellows Creek (shallow) crossing due north of Pool Table Mountain. The last two show what the road is like the vast majority of the time.</p>
<p >http://www.mycolorado.org/images/NPC/wheeler_road/IMG_3717.jpg</p>
<p >http://www.mycolorado.org/images/NPC/wheeler_road/IMG_3879.jpg</p>
<p >http://www.mycolorado.org/images/NPC/wheeler_road/IMG_3736.jpg</p>
<p >http://www.mycolorado.org/images/NPC/wheeler_road/IMG_3873.jpg</p>
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<p>The paint mines are near Colorado Springs; Wheeler is the one near Creede, as discussed already. That's probably what you meant. There is so much blatantly incorrect information on the Web from the main sites you'll get search results from regarding the access road. I think they say what they do to try to keep traffic down. It certainly does not require 4WD, or not really even even high clearance. I suspect some sedans can make the trip, but any cross-over based 2WD vehicle and better would be fine.</p>
<p>For reference, my fastest times were 16 minutes to go the initial 10 miles to Hansons Mill, and 59:17 to go the 14 ("4WD") miles to the end. This was running at 8-10 PSI. If your tires are at street pressure, you can probably tack on a good 30 minutes to that last time. The road is all dirt with the exception of a short small-talus stretch of about 50 yards near the beginning. Otherwise, there are a buch of rolling whoop-de-doos and a few areas with some dirt ruts made when it has been wet. Don't let the other stories scare you--it is a standard Colorado forest road.</p>
<p>If interested, I have some additional pictures of the area starting with the linked picture here: <a href="<a href=">http://mycolorado.org/landscapes/san_juans/content/su_wheeler_4255_large.html</a> Subsequent Wheeler pictures follow. The formations don't receive early or late direct light, so keep that in mind if you choose to go.</p>
<p>I'm not really aware of any other hoodoo locations.</p>
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I'm going to have to vehemently disagree with a couple suggestions above as to checking with the forest service or chamber of commerces. They couldn't give you worse information. I absolutely guarantee you that if you called tomorrow (or even in mid-January), they'd tell you that it's peak color and you'd need to get there now! One would think this would be the best possible resource, but I guess they have to try to market there area somehow.
<p>
If you really want the best sources for fall color updates, here you go (though by the time you need them, you'll already likely have your dates set):
<p>
<a href=http://www.npcolorado.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3>Nature Photographers of Colorado current conditions forum</a>
<p>
<a href=http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vf10>Rocky Mountain Nature Photographers</a>, which will have an updates thread as the time nears.
<p>
As for my partial fall color drives article that Miles linked above, here is the full version:
<p>
<a href>http://www.mycolorado.org/fall_drives.html</a>
<p>
Miles, that is a stellar shot! Tremendous conditions and light! I hope that is printed as large as you can go and hanging on a wall somewhere.
<p>
Joseph mentioned Oak Creek Pass. There is not a pass by that name in Colorado.
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I have a fairly detailed account, linked below, of many of the places in this region with possibly the most pictures in one place, which should assist to serve as a guide for anyone's travels as well. Darwin's book is certainly the only thing you need a hard copy of.
<p>
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Not sure if you happened to go yet, Matt, but I rode through there
today and Crested Butte itself is at peak right now. The full
distance of the Pearl Pass road is at peak along with Ashcroft.
Very sweet conditions. Mt. Crested Butte and on further up the
East River through Crystal and Marble via Schofield is still
around 70% green. Actually it's at peak above Crystal, but there's
not many trees there anyway. Kebler is still very much green as
is McClure. You can see a recent pic from Kebler via the link
Scott posted along with every other update you want!
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All rental agencies allow you to drive on "backcountry roads."
As for the 25th-3rd, no, that's usually not too early. That might even be late this year!
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Try it again, Gary. I noticed it was down for a moment after I
posted (as I'm always on it!), but it is back up right now.
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Others have mentioned the general hot sport areas in CO, but I
have a few more details listed on my site that you may like to
peruse <a
href="http://mycolorado.org/fall_drives.html"><b>here.</b></a>
<p>
As far as relying on an 800 number, the forest service, or
anything of the like to provide you with updates, forget about it.
They're worthless! For the best updates in Colorado, there is no
better source than our <a
href="http://forums.naturephotographers.net/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=8
306088241&f=25110141"><b>Colorado Nature
Photographers</b></a> group. Come and visit us! We will no
doubt be adding a thread very shortly with updates. Many of us,
including myself, are out traveling the state quite a bit and will
post updates with our findings. I, for one, always do some
pre-runs just to check the status of things and also post picture
updates on my fall drives section linked above.
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Oh, I happen to know a few! George, come on over to <a href="http://colorado.naturephotographers.net/index.shtml">Colorado.NaturePhotographers.net.</a></blockquote> We have quite the active group, and get together frequently for group outings. Everyone is first-class and you will thank me later!
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<br>
Darren
<br>
<a href="http://www.mycolorado.org">MyColorado.org</a></blockquote>
Maroon Bells conditions now
in Nature
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