It’s been a few weeks since I was last able to go wheeling and I’ve had to content myself with dreaming of my next trail run. Part of the fun of off-roading is doing the research and reading reviews on the Trail Damage website, and various trail books, so here are ten trails I’d like to have checked off my list by this time next year. All photos here are courtesy of Trail Damage.
Kelly Flats (Larimer County, Colorado) – we passed the Kelly Flats trailhead on a couple of runs – Sevenmile Creek, and Old Flowers Road - but I haven’t tackled this classic northern Colorado trail myself yet, and it’s at the top of my list. Trail Damage rates it as either pretty mild if bypassing both obstacles, or pretty tough if you take on both Heart Attack Hill and The Chutes. I’m all in for Heart Attack Hill, but probably not The Chutes as the TD review says “all vehicles should expect body damage” [through The Chutes]. I’d like to keep my Jeep in good shape, but the rest of this trail is fair game!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Moody Hill (Larimer County, Colorado) – another local northern Colorado trail that’s near a couple other trails I’ve already run, including Ballard Road. Moody Hill looks like it would be a nice challenge (more so if wet), especially if I try out the Rock Quarry obstacle.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Crystal Mountain (Larimer County, Colorado) – I thought about trying this trail summer of 2015 after my Jeep was modified but not having much off-road experience at that point, I chickened out. Trail Damage rates it pretty high on the challenge scale but after tackling the Rock Garden a few months ago (and having great fun in the process!) I’m up for a Crystal Mountain run sometime soon.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Bald Mountain (Larimer County, Colorado) – I think we passed this trailhead at one point, when I got lost looking for the start of Sevenmile. Bald Mountain is the middle of the “Mud Loop” and this looks like a great trail for spring. The Rock Hill obstacle will be even more challenging if wet, and should be good fun!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Green Ridge (Larimer County, Colorado) – I’d like to do this trail in the spring when there’s hopefully lots of MUD!!! This trail ends the “Mud Loop” and if it’s wet it looks like the whole run would be an awesome challenge. And, did I mention muddy?!?!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
West White Pine Mountain (Larimer County, Colorado) – we almost ran this trail instead of Ballard this past summer, but we ended up figuring out where the Ballard trail started so West White Pine Mountain is another for the list. This trail looks like it’d be pretty easy, but one of my trail books says that kids love exploring at the top (end of trail), so this would be a good adventure for our son.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Storm Mountain (Larimer County, Colorado), with Storm Drain spur – both Storm Mountain and Storm Drain look difficult and exciting, with good rock crawling and scenic views. Storm Mountain is a short trail, but doing the Storm Drain spur in addition would make this a great day trip!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Left Hand Canyon (Boulder County, Colorado) – this trail looks like a fun rock crawling time with some creative obstacle names: Old Playground, Big Momma Hill, and The Squeeze. There’s also a popular shooting area at the start of the trail, for extra fun!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fireman Hill (Boulder County, Colorado) – another fun rock crawling trail that could be done with Left Hand Canyon. Snow or mud would make this one more difficult.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Johnny Park Road (Boulder County, Colorado) – this appears to be a pretty mild trail, but with high ratings for dirt and mud. At the end, there’s an optional mud puddle, and Trail Damage encourages having a friend along to pull you out if you get stuck. Sounds like a great time to me!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Suitably inspired, I can’t wait to get out on my next wheeling adventure! Do you have off-road trail recommendations? Leave them in the Comments below!
Happy Trails!