I will be heading to Colorado over Labor Day weekend for some fun in the Mountains. This will include some wheeling and an attempt of Humboldt.

I'll be bringing a friend along with his stock 2000 4Runner (w/ locker). Will he have any problems getting up the South Colony Lakes 4x4 road? Or will he have a clearance issue?

Also, will it be necessary to air down for this road?

 

Hey Ranski,

I went up that "road" last July with 4 other guys and about 350 lbs of gear in the back (please notice I still have not switched to the HD springs in the back and have crappy shocks). There were probably about 5 or 6 times when people had to get out to avoid scraping the underside. My runner was seriously sagging:pat:

We saw a stock Chevy Blazer (it was a rental though) had made it up to the end of the road so I think you guys will be fine. I did get a little pinstriping, took it pretty slow and made it up and back with no problem.

Scott

 

Can I come, can I come ?!?

Never taken that trail. I'll have to look it up.

 

I've never heard of South Colony Lakes. Where is it?

 

jx94148-

South Colony Lakes are located at the base of Mount Humboldt. The nearest town that i can see on the atlas is Westcliffe.

Apparently there is a 2wd maintained road (South Colony Lakes Road) At the end of this road there is a parking lot for campers and hikers. To go beyond this point and head up to the South Colony Lakes Trailhead you need a 4x4. All the "hiking" trip reports say this is a challenging road. I'm not sure how that stands up to my understanding of a challenging road

Guess I'll find out come Labor Day...

 

The South Lakes road, I believe, is technically Forest Road #313 and is located about 5 miles southwest from the town of Westcliffe (includes a gas station, pizza place and that's about it). Beyond the 2WD parking lot you head up on FR313 to the trailhead. The road is about 5 miles long and will take you about 1.5 hours. There are some off-camber situations as well as some small "ledges" as well as rocks the whole way up.

There is a goat that lives around the lakes that likes to hang out with whoever is up there so don't be suprised if you have him following you and hanging around your campsite.

 

This sounds like a great trip!! I found it on the Topo. Those lakes are high above timberline. The Sangre De Cristo Range is incredible and very steep.

Its close enough to me to do a pre run and be home before 4 PM.

I might go see what the hikers call "challenging."

 

Excellent

Do the pre-run, take pics and record the GPS locations of all the toughest obstacles along with height measurements of ALL rock ledges. Actually if you can take an inventory of all large boulders, lets say over 14" in diameter and record thier GPS location that would be swell.

But seriously, if you do decide to run it before labor day, please get back to me with details. I don't want to be resposnible for leading my friends stock 4Runner up a trail resulting in damage.

Thanks!

 

Will do!
Send your GPS and Camera to:
1219 N. F... St.
Just Kidding

I'll give it a go sometime before Labor Day and shout at ya. I'm digicamless for now though.

How do you flatlanders know so much about this?

 

Oh Great! all I need is a goat eating my food. Maybe the bear that's been following me around will eat the goat and leave my food alone.

 

If you mean South Colony Lakes. It is because some friends of mine always head to Colorado to tick off a few fourteeners over the summer. And the Crestones are on thier list to do this year. I decided to join them and attempt Mt. Humbolt. The plan is to camp at South Colony Lakes and hike to the Summit on that Sunday

I typically find other less strenuous things to do such as hiking lower peaks, MTBing, climbing etc.

If only I lived in Colorado

My best year to date saw me take seven seperate trips to Colorado for various adventures.

You guys are truly lucky to be living in such a great state.

 

Oh yeah, here is a picture of the Devil Goat that terrorizes campers at South Colony Lakes.

http://www.dimensional.com/~dsimpson...e_needle1.html

 

I had some free time today and I got up there to check things out. There are some tricky spots, like a 14 inch rock in the center of the trail where you have to put one side on the edge of the trail and one side right on top of the rock. To get all the way up there are two water crossings of 10 inches or so, no big deal at all.

The total trail from the parking area for hikers in cars, to the top parking area is almost exactly 5 miles. In the top lot there were 8-10 completely stock 4x4s. A Late model Suburban, F150, Grand Cherokee, Exploder, etc. all with running boards intact. In all there are only about 5 rocks tall enough to snag a differential or front IFS crossmember and they are easy get around.

On the 10 point scale I rate it a 5. You will have no problems. Let me know if you want more details.

Have fun!

 

Thanks for giving info on the road. It will definitly help knowing we can get stock rigs to the top.

Depending on how things play out, I might give you a heads up if we decide to run Medano or Hayden Pass while we are in Colorado. Maybe you will have time and can join us.

 

After re-reading this whole thread I though of a few other points that may be of interest.

I strongly suggest airing down. Depending on tires, 15 to 20 is good. The flat part of S Colony Lakes road is strewn with baseball sized loose rocks. With my stockish suspension and 40 PSI tires it got really irritating really fast. I aired my MT/Rs down to 15 shortly after I turned off of Colfax lane (Road 119) onto S. C. Lakes road. That made the ride very smooth up to 40 MPH. Its well marked with brown signs that include distance to trailhead.

The first 1.5 miles is through private property. Stay on the trail and don't camp there. Shortly after a big sign announcing your arrival in Nat'l Forest land there are a few nice primative campsites. I suspect that these will fill up fast on a holiday weekend.

Free air is available in Westcliff. I first hit a Conoco and their air hose was busted. There was a Texaco between SilverCliff and Westcliff that had a really fast hose.


Just about everything you need can be purchased in Westcliff. At the west end of town there is a grocery store. There's 3-4 fuel stations, a couple of mechanics, a tire shop, liquor store, and a handfull of restraunts.

Keep me posted or throw up a topic in Trip Planing and I may be able to join you on a trail or two.

 

Is the road fairly wide or can we expect to get some pinstriping?

 

There is a spot or two where it gets a little narrow but the trees are leafy, not pine. I doubt pinstriping will be an issue.

 

where is this place ? say from Denver ? we are heading there the 18th - 25th or 26th maybe a little longer

 

It is SW of Colorado Springs. I would guess it is 2-3 hours from Denver.

Look for Westcliffe...it's near there.

 

Man, I don't live near anything fun. :cry: