2nd Annual Colorado Winter Hang - 14-16 Jan 2011 - Rampart Reservoir

[Just Jeff]

Erik and Annette aren't landing at DIA until 5:30p on Friday, so I think we're gonna come back to my place and catch up for the night, then go up there Saturday morning. Their flight leaves early Monday, so it looks like it's just an overnighter for me, but definitely a great chance to meet everybody and catch up with a buddy.

[DanaMac]

Looks like I am out. We may stay another day here. Good thing you're not getting this blizzard in CO.15" here so far. Have fun guys and girls.

[Mustardman]

I will be showing up Saturday morning as well - I was off work all last week and have some catching-up to do, so Friday looks to be a later day. I also don't get Monday off, so it will be an overnighter for the the mustard family.

[OutandBack]

I still plan to be at the trail head/parking lot on Friday ~11:30AM

Anyone want to PM their cell phone numbers I will be glad to give you guys an update
should the road in to the parking lot be snow'd in.
Not much melting has happened round here since the last snow which dumped 10" in my yard.

JustJeff,
Since we have hanger/s coming up from NM and UT should we consider a backup hanging spot if we can't get into the Res parking lot?

[Dice]

Slight possibility that I will be making it with my brother in law. Depends on the weather. It's supposed to snow a ton here in Utah this weekend, so making the drive through the canyons might be rather treacherous... Anyone know the updated weather report for where the hang will be?

[Cannibal]

About a 10% chance for rain and snow throughout the weekend, but the temps aren't predicted to get below 10° F through Sunday. That's like 25 or 30° F anywhere else due to the lack of humidity. Staying warm should be easy-peesy.

[Dice]

So I apologize for being ignorant, but could someone describe the distance between the parking lot and the camp? Is it a long trek or is it right by the parking lot? With the new snow report, are people taking sleds?

[OutandBack]

So I apologize for being ignorant, but could someone describe the distance between the parking lot and the camp? Is it a long trek or is it right by the parking lot? With the new snow report, are people taking sleds?

It's a 1.5 mile hike along a dirt/paved road. Good signage to the Thunder Ridge camp ground. I am using a sled and plan to take snow shoes, gaiter, and yaktraks for the fun of it.

EDIT: ADDED JJ directions since they were burried back on page 10. Worth printing out if you have not been there before.

Directions...it's pretty easy to find. Plan on 30 minutes from Woodland Park.
- Drive to Woodland Park on Hwy 24
- On the Southeast of Woodland Park, on Hwy 24, you'll see a McDonalds...turn onto Baldwin St (it deadends into 24 at a traffic light).
- Drive north on Baldwin for about 5 miles, not making any turns. You can just follow the signs from here and ignore the rest of these directions...
-- You'll pass the school on the right and a few neighborhoods.
-- After the neighborhoods, this becomes Rampart Range Road.
-- At one point, you'll come to a "sort-of" Y in the road, where it becomes a dirt road if you go almost-straight, and the paved road curves sharply to the right. STAY ON THE PAVED ROAD. There's a sign here pointing to Rampart Reservoir. You'll start climbing up a pretty steep hill. Look at the house on the right...they have a pretty cool ice garden.
-- This becomes a dirt road.
- About 5 miles from McDonald's (I think it's just under 5 miles), you'll see a sign for a right turn towards Rampart Reservoir. Just follow the signs.
- The road to Rampart Reservoir will be on the left, with a big sign at the intersection. At the intersection, you'll see a small parking area and a big gate across the paved road. Crawl thru the gate and start walking!

If you want a map of the area, go to Google Maps and "Get Directions" from "McDonalds near Woodland Park" to "Rampart Reservoir."

[Cannibal]

The walk from parking lot to campsite is maybe 20-25 minutes. It's a graded road that I suspect is used year round by the Forest Service. We were passed by a truck with a logo on it when we were leaving last weekend; we were behind the closed gate. Not to mention, the main road (leading to the campground roads, but behind the closed gate) was absolutely clear when the other roads had a couple/few inches of snow. Pretty sure that road is plowed.

I'm not bringing a sled because I think it will be more effort than just walking. But PYOS (Pull Your Own Sled)!

[Dice]

Thanks you guys! Now I will just have to roll the dice and hopefully they land in my favor so I can come!