So I am heading out to CO over the 4th of July weekend to make some runs in the Buena Vista/ Aspen/ Crested Butte area. What does the snowpack look like? Anyone have any guesses of if the passes will be open by then?

 

I think it's too early to tell. In Northern Colorado we've had a lot of late-season snow. Don't know about that area.

Here's two tips,

Check the "Bushducks High Country Pass Status 2010" page. Google it. Check this often. Especially after June 1st.

As you get closer to your date, call the "St. Elmo General Store" (also Google it) for the most current status.

Good luck and post a trip report!

 

Great, thanks. I can't wait for the trip.

Any recomendations for the area? I plan to stay in Buena Vista the first night and head up to Taylor Resevoir and then into Aspen. From there, I would prefer to go back over Pearl Pass into Crested Butte and hit The Devil's Punch Bowl, etc. On the way out I thought about doing Chinamen's Gulch and/or Iron Chest. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

 

The funtreks.com web site is down at the moment, but he has a new edition of his trail guide for that area. Here's the link at Amazon,

Guide-Colorado-Backroads-4-Wheel-Drive-Trails, 3rd ed

Check out funtreks.com when it's back up for sample routes, etc.

Also check out the interactive guides at these sites,

www.traildamage.com

www.staythetrail.org

Good luck!

 

how modified is your jeep.

there is chinamens gulch and carnage cannon in BV

a couple other trails that i love but are a little out of the way are Wheeler lake (take your fishing pole), and holy cross

 

It is an unlimited on 35's. locked front and rear.

I have done Wheeler Lake before in a Cherokee I used to have. Started Holy Cross in the same truck, but had to turn back. Those will be little far for the time I have. I assume I could navigate Chinaman's Gulch though, right? I do have to DRIVE the vehicle quite far afterward (PA) and it seems most very difficult sections have easier by-passes if need be?

 

Can't predict the status of the other trails, but I can almost guarantee that Pearl Pass won't be open by the 4th of July. It's usually one of the last high passes to open.

 

That is what I am afraid of.

 

I live outside of Aspen. We been getting alot of spring snow. So much that they are thinking of opening Ajax for memorial weekend. But living in the mtns...one can never predict weather. I ssen it snow in july.