Planning an ATV Trip To Colorado

If you are planning an ATV trip to Colorado there are a few things to consider before you hit the road.

Where to Ride
The are hundreds and hundreds of miles of old mining and logging roads in the Rocky Mountains for you to enjoy. Basically you can ride on any dirt road that meets the following conditions:

• It is on BLM or National Forest land and is NOT a county road.
• It is NOT marked "Closed to motorized vehicles".
• It is not in a wilderness area.
• Stay on the trails. You must stay on existing trails and roads. Riding cross-country is the fastest way for all of us to lose our riding privileges. There is a lot of pressure on the government agencies to restrict and or close access to ATV’s and dirt bikes, so respect the environment and follow the rules or the next time you come for a visit there may be no place to ride.

If you are interested in joining us for a ride or a camping trip please let us know and we will try to accommodate you. Our schedule is posted on the web site and in addition we may be able to plan other trips.

Equipment Preparation
You typically will be riding between 8,000 – 13,000 feet elevation, you need to re jet your quads if you are coming from a lower altitude. Don’t expect to get by without doing this. Your machines, if they run at all, will not have the power necessary to climb the steep terrain. Your jetting can be anywhere from two to four jet sizes too rich. This includes the High-speed circuit as well as the Low-speed circuit. It is a good idea to carry an assortment of jets along with tools needed to change them on the trail. Most Motorcycle, ATV, and Snowmobile dealerships have altitude charts that will help get you into the ballpark. Here's a Website that may also be of some help for jetting needs Holtzman Engineering Inc.: http://www.holtzmaneng.com/

Extra air filters, pre-filters, or Filter Skins are also a good idea as the terrain can be very dusty, sometimes requiring daily changing or cleaning.

Tire pressure on stock or stock-like tires (less that 4-ply sidwalls) should be increased by 1 to 3 pounds to minimize damage to wheel rims and tires. Don’t exceed the maximum tire pressures recommended by the manufactures. The tire pressures recommended by the manufactures are geared towards giving a soft ride. Unfortunately, many of the trails in Colorado are very rocky and the low pressure leaves the tires vulnerable to damage even at moderate speeds.

When to Come
If you want to ride the high country above 10,000 feet don’t come too early. The best time is July or August. Any earlier and many of the trails may still be blocked by snow. Any later and you run the risk of early season snow.

What to Bring
It can be cold in the mountains even in August, with nighttime temperatures dipping toward freezing, so be prepared. You probably won’t be able to ride in short sleeves at the higher altitudes. Rain gear is also a good idea as it is common to have thunderstorms in the afternoons.
Carry plenty of water with you when you ride. Colorado is a semi arid, high altitude desert with an average humidity of only around 25%. You will dehydrate very quickly with out actually sweating.

High Country Safety
Colorado’s high country can kill those who are unprepared. Please read our article on "Safety Measures for Colorado’s High Country"

Books and Websites
The following publications and Websites may help you plan your trip.
"The Trails of Colorado – ATV Trail Guide Volume 1"
"The Trails of Colorado – ATV Trail Guide Volume 2"
The Trails of Colorado – ATV Video Trail Guide" (of volumes 1 & 2)

L&M Productions
2015 W. Alameda Ave.
Denver, CO 80223
303-777-4337

"The Colorado Pass Book" by Don Koch
Pruett Publishing Co.
Boulder, CO

"Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails" by Charles A. Wells
FunTreks, Inc.
P.O. Box 49187
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9187
877-222-7623

"Colorado Ghost Towns and Mining Camps" by Sandra Dallas
University of Oklahoma Press
Norman, OK

"Rocky Mountain Camping" by Tom Stienstra & Robyn Schlueter
Foghorn Press
55 DeHaro Street #220
San Francisco, CA 94107
800-364-4676

"The Complete Colorado Campground Guide"
Outdoor Books & Maps
P.O. Box 417
Denver, CO 80201
303-629-6111

L&M Productions / Fay Myers: http://www.faymyers.com/
BLM Colorado: http://www.co.blm.gov/
Colorado State Parks: http://www.dnr.state.co.us/trails/
Off Road Links: http://www.off-road.com/orclinks.html
Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition: http://www.cohvco.org
Colorado State Registration for Boats, OHVs and Snowmobiles: http://www.dnr.state.co.us/trails/registrationinfo.htm