Colorado October Meetup '09

REF · 09-18-2009, 03:44 PM

Hey all, anyone interested in getting together here in Colorado?
Red feather lakes area? May snow at higher elevations by then so a lower elevation meetup may be necessary. Let's start getting something going, we would be willing to help organize and secure a spot.

saline · 09-18-2009, 09:34 PM

When you thinking? I'm pretty sure we would be up for it.

trailsurfer · 09-18-2009, 09:37 PM

I am interested if the dates work for my schedule.

COJC · 09-20-2009, 08:49 PM

We would be in. Can also help plan if you need it. What weekend were ya thinking? The last in Oct?

REF · 09-21-2009, 02:53 PM

Lets make it that last weekend in october (24th/25th) to keep with the theme of other meetups, if that works for all. We would be able to head out the fri (23rd) let me know who can also make it out fri night as well, so we can figure out when to secure a group site somewhere.

On to location, anyone have any other sugg. other than the red feather lakes area, we have never been there, but it seems like it is fairly easy access (west of ft. collins), has a few campground facilities still open for the season and a few easy and moderate/difficult 4x4 trails around the area to choose from, plus the added bonus of being near some lakes for fishing. I believe that bill burks 4x4 adventure weekend was held there, so thats got to tell us something. -Rick

trailsurfer · 09-21-2009, 06:44 PM

That weekend should work for us. Might be a little tough logistically to get there from Durango, but I will work on it.

saline · 09-21-2009, 09:12 PM

Doh! Looks like we won't be able to attend.

We both work during those dates. We have a bit of a different work schedule. Perhaps next time. Also if any of you are headed through here or the Moab area drop us a line. We know plenty of killer camping spots etc. around here.

COJC · 09-21-2009, 09:31 PM

That weekend works for us.
Saline, Heading to Moab Oct 9th-11th.

REF · 09-22-2009, 08:46 AM

COJC- welcome to the club, looking forward to the meetup. Noticed you guys were in Powell not too long ago from reading your previous posts. Are you guys boaters? We go at least 2x a year and are headed there next week with our boat, Sept 29-Oct 5 We were thinking of heading to Moab after but will see on time, say hi to our friend BC at Milts, he's the new owner, great burgers/shakes. - Rick

at the forum meetup in Moab some of us ran the shaffer trail, really nice. Sorry I dropped the ball on a trip report, otherwise you could look at that with the trails we did.

REF · 09-22-2009, 11:13 AM

Hey all, this is info for the dowdy lake campground that will still be open, there are other non-organized spots south and west of red feather lakes area, including swamp creek area and off of deadman rd. All other organized campgrounds in the area are closed for the season by then.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Dowdy Lake
VISIT DATE: 05/31/2000
UPDATE DATE: 6/20/2009
STATE: Colorado
REGION: Rocky Mountain
RANGER DISTRICT: Canyon Lakes
NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Red Feather Lakes
RESERVATIONS: 1-877-444-6777 or make on-line reservation
DIRECTIONS:
In Red Feather Lakes, CO, take Prairie Divide Rd. south 0.7 miles
to County Rt. 74E/Redfeathers Lake Rd. Turn left onto Rt. 74E
and go 1 mile to Dowdy Recreation Area sign (Dowdy Rd.). Turn
left at sign onto Dowdy Rd. and go 0.8 miles to campground.

NOTE: Last 0.2 miles are gravel.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 8,100 ft.

The campground, located along the shores of Dowdy Lake, is
composed of five loops - A through E, among Ponderosa pines,
other conifers and boulders. Some camping sites overlook the
lake, while others are along the shore. Gas and limited
groceries are available nearby. The sites are spacious with
minimal privacy.

This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year:Yes

NOTE: Potable water available May 27 through September 26

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $18 per day - tent site
$23 per day - combined site
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 10
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 52

Total Sites: 62

Tent Pads: Yes
Group Tent Sites: Yes
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 62
No. Grilles on Sites: 62

RV INFORMATION
Hookups: None
Group RV Sites: No
No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: No
Average Parking Apron Size: 13' X 40'

Comments:
The parking aprons are dirt and gravel.

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 3
No. Threaded: 0

Comments:
There is no water on Loops A and D and one hand pump is located
on Loop E.

WATER SPORTS
Lake: Yes
Swimming (provided): No
Sailing: No
Boat Ramp: Yes
Boat Carry Down Access: Yes
Power Boating: Yes
Boating (no power): Yes
Water Skiing: No
Rafting (whitewater): No
Kayaking (whitewater): No

Comments:
Dowdy Lake is 115 acres and is a wakeless lake.

HIKING
Margaret Trail (foot, horse and mountain bike) - 4 miles

FISHING
Brown, Brook, Cutthroat and Lake trout.