Need Help with Sites to Hang on CO Trip

[igzekyativ]

My buddy and I will be in CO next week. We are going to rent a car and some DH mountain bikes and hit up Keystone and Winter Park for a couple days.

We are wondering what we should do. National Forest camping, thanks to the posts below, might be our best option. We are just looking for a place to park and camp. However, I am not familiar with camping in the National Forest. How does it work? Do I need a permit? Just pick a spot and we are good to go?

Also, first time poster and soon to be first time hanger! Thanks!

[Cannibal]

You are looking for formal campgrounds?
If so, you might be in trouble. Both the areas you mentioned are pretty popular areas for locals and tourists this time of year. Securing a campsite at this late date might prove problematic.

I'm not real familiar with the campgrounds up in that area for exactly the reasons I mentioned above. I'll be happy to dig through some of my resource books/guides for you, but the timing is my biggest concern. Just don't bother looking at any of the State Park campgrounds; they are almost militantly opposed to hammock use. Stick with the National Parks and Forests out here and you'll be golden.

[Cannibal]

Oh yeah, and welcome to the Forums!

[OutandBack]

My buddy and I will be in CO next week. We are going to rent a car and some DH mountain bikes and hit up Keystone and Winter Park for a couple days.

We are wondering if anyone knows of good hammock friendly campgrounds near both Keystone and Winter Park.

I checked out Dillion Lake which has 5 campgrounds and very close to Keystone, but the beetles have killed a lot of their trees (I am still waiting for a call back on whether or not hammock camping is ok there).

I thought I found a couple sites, but according to this (http://www.fraservalleylions.org/Campgrounds.aspx) St. Louis Creek and Byers Creek have been hurt by the beetles (with Byers closing completly). Midlands is $100 a night, yuck.

Edit: I spoke with someone on the phone just now and Idlewild and Robbers Roost (no potable water) seem promising! First come first serve, $16 a night.

Now just to find a place near Keystone! Any suggestions are welcome.

Also, first time poster and soon to be first time hanger! Thanks!

National Forest is the way to go if you want to hammock or a motel with a hottub might be better if you haven't done much DH.
The resort trails are rough and can beat you to death.

In Breckenridge (Dillon/Frisco/Breck same area) find the TH to The Peak Trail and park your car there.
Photo take from parking lot.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/8170519444_3ab7f86e15_z.jpg
Hike in 100 ft and set up camp.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8170489685_cff2fd5110_z.jpg

I rode both Keystone and Winter Park. Keystone better and bigger.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/9416067769_9c68df87b9_z.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9416070769_b90cbe3c91_z.jpg

[igzekyativ]

You are looking for formal campgrounds?
If so, you might be in trouble. Both the areas you mentioned are pretty popular areas for locals and tourists this time of year. Securing a campsite at this late date might prove problematic.

I'm not real familiar with the campgrounds up in that area for exactly the reasons I mentioned above. I'll be happy to dig through some of my resource books/guides for you, but the timing is my biggest concern. Just don't bother looking at any of the State Park campgrounds; they are almost militantly opposed to hammock use. Stick with the National Parks and Forests out here and you'll be golden.

I am not really looking for formal camping.

I was digging around somemore and found dispersed camping (http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/whiteriver/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=40405&actid=34) which has a section for Keystone. I am not familiar with this. Just drive around, find a place to park, and camp?

[igzekyativ]

National Forest is the way to go if you want to hammock or a motel with a hottub might be better if you haven't done much DH.
The resort trails are rough and can beat you to death.

In Breckenridge (Dillon/Frisco/Breck same area) find the TH to The Peak Trail and park your car there.
Hike in 100 ft and set up camp.


Is this how camping in the National Forest works? Just find a spot and camp?

[OutandBack]

Is this how camping in the National Forest works? Just find a spot and camp?

Yes unless you see "NO Camping Signs"
Check just before you leave for fire bans. Western slope is very touchy about fires do to all the beetle kill.

Where are you renting bikes from?
If you want to drull over the latest DH bikes and gear checkout MoJo Wheels. They are a DH only shop I don't think they rent.
They can offer the best advice on where to ride.
https://mojowheels.com/Contact.aspx

[igzekyativ]

Yes unless you see "NO Camping Signs"
Check just before you leave for fire bans. Western slope is very touchy about fires do to all the beetle kill.

Where are you renting bikes from?
If you want to drull over the latest DH bikes and gear checkout MoJo Wheels. They are a DH only shop I don't think they rent.
They can offer the best advice on where to ride.
https://mojowheels.com/Contact.aspx

I know Bob Allen from Mojo Wheels (my sisters boyfriend), so we will talk with them!

You got a link to the TH you mentioned? A link for us to check for a fireban?

[OutandBack]

I know Bob Allen from Mojo Wheels (my sisters boyfriend), so we will talk with them!

You got a link to the TH you mentioned? A link for us to check for a fireban?


HaHa! small world...

http://www.everytrail.com/guide/peaks-trail

http://blog.gobreck.com/index.php/outside/know-before-you-go-fire-bans/