Help For Spring Trip

I'm currently planning a spring trip to Colorado from May 29-June 5.

My tenative itinerary is to start in Denver, up to RMNP, down to Aspen visiting Mt. Evans on the way, on to Crested Butte, Ouray, and Sand Dunes NP. I will then return to my favorite places in the fall Sept 23-30 to spend more time.

I've got a long list of places that I would like to visit but because of the different elevations I'm not sure if the roads will be passable or if there will be spring greens present. Roads in question are Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft, Road to Crystal Mill, Ohio Creek Road, Gothic and Washington Gulch Roads, Owl Creek Pass, Road to Governor Basin, Road to Animas Forks and over Stony Pass. Any information on the condition of these roads in the spring is much appreciated.

What would be the best route to take from Ouray to Sand Dunes NP in early June.

I've read through all 52 pages in the RMNP discusson forum and gotten so much information about Colorado already. I think it's really great that everyone is so willing to share information. Thanks to all.

Hi Laurie,

You're fitting a lot into a short period of time! I hope you have a great trip to Colorado.

As for Governor Basin, it won't happen in early June. You stand a much better chance of getting in there in September, though it isn't really known as a fall hot spot. Great wildflowers in July, though. The "road" itself is quite precarious, too. Be sure you're comfortable with big exposure and a skilled off-road driver before attempting the route.

There are lots of folks on the forum who will be able to provide more info about your other locations. Darren, Todd?

Have a great trip!

I'd say that about half of your proposed destinations would be problematic as early as you're coming. Stony Pass, Governor Basin, Gothic and WA Gulch Roads, Crystal Mill, etc., might not be passable until a few weeks later. Owl Creek might be snowed in, too. I've been turned back on the Paradise Divide road (near Gothic/WA Gulch Rds.) in early-July before, so much depends on what kind of snow falls between now and then.

I also think you ought to trim your trip down a bit so you can experience some of the places instead of trying to cram in as many different places as possible. If it were me planning the trip, I'd push it back at least three weeks, and then cut down on the number of places you list by at least a third.

Laurie: ive only been a year in CO, so can't give you best guesses on road conditions, but as far as weather goes, i can tell you that CO currently has about 90% of normal snowpack, probably will be close to normal once this next storm comes through. So, i would check back in early May since conditions will largely depend on what happens through March and April, but I suspect Todd's info will be on target. You could easily spend two weeks at any of your destinations; if i were you I'd stick with one or two (my first trip to CO 10 years ago I went to Ouray in early June, and it's still one of my favorite destinations--that would be a great intro to CO)
As for Sand Dunes, there are shorter ways, but for that early in the spring the safest bet would be to head N to rt 50, then east to Poncha Springs, south over Poncha Pass (a mere 9K ft) to 160 and then a short jog east to the park highway.

You could get to all the places listed in the time you've allotted, if you were traveling by helicopter. But, my guess is you're traveling by conventional 4WD, suv or truck, in which case do as Todd suggests and cut at least a third of your destinations, which you will have to anyway because of inaccessibility this early in the year. The Ashcroft road will be open, Ohio Creek road could be iffy, but will probably be open. The road to Animas Forks might be open by then.
From Ouray, you could drive south to Durango, then head east on US 160 to Sand Dunes, or you could go over Owl Creek Pass, assuming it's open, then take US 50 to Blue Mesa Resvr, then turn south to Lake City over Slumgullion Pass, (nice waterfall just west of Creede), thru Creede, to 160,then to Sand Dunes. Both routes would be very scenic, the Durango route would be faster and more scenic in my opinion.

Laurie, my experience matches that of Todd's. Very few of the high 4WD passes are open until late June and early July especially given the "normal" snowpack this year. Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft should be open, it is a regular paved road.

Thanks everyone for such good advice. Thanks Bret, with the infomation you've given me I won't be going to Governor Basin anytime. It sounds much to difficult for me.

I figured I was attempting to do to much. So I'm going to trim my trip some and spread it out between my spring and fall trips.

With all that being said - I'd recommend RMNP and the Dunes for your spring trip and then be sure to hit central and SW CO on your fall trip.
You would probably still have to narrow that one down a bit.
That doesn't help in the "scouting" department but that's way too little time to cover that much ground/opportunity - as said above.