Colorado - off-road route question

[upzmtn]

We are planning a summer trip to Colorado. One of our destinations is the Fruita/Grand Junction area to do some mountain biking. We would like to do some back country over-landing and find some more remote areas to dry camp in the SMB. A couple of years ago we were at the visitor's center in Fruita for a lunch break as we headed west. As typical, we draw a lot of attention with the SMB when we stop anywhere. We had conversation there with a local that told us about an off-road route that was not to be missed that was just east of Grand Junction and from what we remember North of I-70. He said it would be a perfect route for us to take in the SMB and very scenic. We wrote down the information on a slip of paper at the time, but we can't find it. We would like to do that route or something similar while we are out that way this summer. Does any body on the forum have recommendations or know the route this guy may have mentioned to us? Thanks for any insight!

[ShuttlePilot]

Greetings upzmtn,


When I'm looking to not stay in developed campgrounds (which is all the time) or get off the pavement I often use this website for MVUUM maps in Colorado. These can be uploaded into tablets and phones for cell free navigation. Also they offer the .tmz files as an overlay in Google Earth.

Trail Maps - Stay The Trail

Hope this is helpful,

-Eric

[upzmtn]

Thanks Eric! We will take a look. Do you have any recommended areas to explore?

[saline]

There are several routes that you can take around here and plenty of boon docking to be had. I'm more familiar with areas south of I70 and west to Moab but it's all in my backyard.
What month are you coming out?

[rltilley]

I've been looking into this for a September trip and may pick up the book at the link below. Seems to have some good stuff in it and has good reviews. The price is high though. I'll be picking up the Benchmark Atlas for sure.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/19...=ATVPDKIKX0DER


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[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by saline

There are several routes that you can take around here and plenty of boon docking to be had. I'm more familiar with areas south of I70 and west to Moab but it's all in my backyard.
What month are you coming out?

If you dig up Saline's older SMB campsite pics in the gallery you'll realize he is the Yoda of backcountry routes and finds in CO.

[upzmtn]

Originally Posted by saline

There are several routes that you can take around here and plenty of boon docking to be had. I'm more familiar with areas south of I70 and west to Moab but it's all in my backyard.
What month are you coming out?

We have not picked exact dates yet for our trip, but it will most likely be in July. Our plans will have us in the area for a week and a half to a couple of weeks. Are you going to be around to show us some cool routes and/or to hit some mt bike trails?

[upzmtn]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

If you dig up Saline's older SMB campsite pics in the gallery you'll realize he is the Yoda of backcountry routes and finds in CO.

We would definitely be up for Yoda Colorado to give us advice on routes! : ) Good routes yes.. ; )

[saline]

Originally Posted by upzmtn

We have not picked exact dates yet for our trip, but it will most likely be in July. Our plans will have us in the area for a week and a half to a couple of weeks. Are you going to be around to show us some cool routes and/or to hit some mt bike trails?

As long as I'm not deployed elsewhere on a fire I'll be around. I'd be glad to show you around on both bike trails and or some over landing.

[upzmtn]

Originally Posted by saline

As long as I'm not deployed elsewhere on a fire I'll be around. I'd be glad to show you around on both bike trails and or some over landing.

We are now in Colorado for our summer trip. We are headed to Fruita tomorrow (7/11). Saline are you around? Let us know and we could meet up.


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