Denver - Pike National Forest - Via Palmer Lake for camping
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Denver - Pike National Forest - Via Palmer Lake for camping
I've done some digging through the forums and wanted some fresh advice. I am looking for somewhere to disappear for a couple of days on my road bike and this looks awesome however I have a few questions.
this is the route-https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&z=9&lci=bike
I am curious what those "dirt paths" are like in mid April and if my 27X1.25 tires can handle it? Following that would be has anyone ridden that Forest Road 320/Mt Herman Rd? It looks to be a climb and on dirt?
Also I know I can camp anywhere in the Forest but I'd rather not make new camps and fire pits unless it is completely necessary, anyone know if there are campsites near that road?
Thanks
this is the route-https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&z=9&lci=bike
I am curious what those "dirt paths" are like in mid April and if my 27X1.25 tires can handle it? Following that would be has anyone ridden that Forest Road 320/Mt Herman Rd? It looks to be a climb and on dirt?
Also I know I can camp anywhere in the Forest but I'd rather not make new camps and fire pits unless it is completely necessary, anyone know if there are campsites near that road?
Thanks
Last edited by morry32; 03-13-10 at 11:13 PM. Reason: link didn't work
#2
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I've done some digging through the forums and wanted some fresh advice. I am looking for somewhere to disappear for a couple of days on my road bike and this looks awesome however I have a few questions.
this is the route-https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&z=9&lci=bike
I am curious what those "dirt paths" are like in mid April and if my 27X1.25 tires can handle it? Following that would be has anyone ridden that Forest Road 320/Mt Herman Rd? It looks to be a climb and on dirt?
Also I know I can camp anywhere in the Forest but I'd rather not make new camps and fire pits unless it is completely necessary, anyone know if there are campsites near that road?
Thanks
this is the route-https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...h&z=9&lci=bike
I am curious what those "dirt paths" are like in mid April and if my 27X1.25 tires can handle it? Following that would be has anyone ridden that Forest Road 320/Mt Herman Rd? It looks to be a climb and on dirt?
Also I know I can camp anywhere in the Forest but I'd rather not make new camps and fire pits unless it is completely necessary, anyone know if there are campsites near that road?
Thanks
Mt Herman, on the other hand, is a different issue. It is relatively steep. It is a graded road but it's not very smooth. A mountain bike would be a much better choice for that ride. You could do it on a road bike but it wouldn't be a pleasant ride.
A better route to Woodland Park would be this one. Turn west a Sedalia and ride up CO67 over Rampart Range Road. There is a 7 mile section of dirt on that ride but the route is smoother than Mt Herman. The ride from Deckers to Woodland Park is rather pretty and a little remote.
This route is a little longer (about 10 miles) and still includes a little dirt riding but it's relatively good road, too.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#3
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Thanks CYC- Have you ever ridden the one up CO67? I can't say for sure it will be in April but would I still be weary of Trail conditions on this path based on recent rain storms?
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The Santa Fe Trail is a good trail unless you get real soaking rains or snow on it. It drains pretty quickly. I'd not worry too much about it in a thunderstorm. There is a road that parallels it for part of the route too.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!