Posted by Bret Edge on September 11, 2010 at 11:52 AM
It looks like I'm going to be sick next Thursday, which allows me 4 days on the road on my motorcycle instead of 3. So, I've been studying the topo map and have come up with what, on paper, sounds like a good route to get me from CB to Aspen almost entirely on dirt roads. Based on what I'm seeing none of these roads exceed a rating of "3" and even that appears to be a relatively short section. I'm interested in hearing suggestions, comments and thoughts from those who have been on these roads as to whether it's reasonable to assume a big adventure bike loaded with gear can safely negotiate the terrain. Here's the route:
- Leave CB south on 135.
- Turn east on Cement Creek Rd. (FS 740)
- Intersect Reno Divide Rd. (FS 759). At fork stay on low road.
- At intersection w/ FS 742 (Taylor River Rd.?) just north of Pothole Res. #2 go north.
- Take FS 761 past Taylor Lake to Ashcroft on Express Creek Rd. (FS 122)
- North on Castle Creek Rd. to Aspen
From what I've read online thus far there is a rocky and somewhat technical section on Reno Divide Rd./Italian Creek Rd. Based on photos it looks do-able to me. I can't find much info on FS 742 or FS 761, although on the map they are designated as "mountain bike route or 4WD" which gives me pause. FS 122, Express Creek Rd., is rated "difficult" on one site although it doesn't give any road/trail details.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm open to suggestions of other routes too, so long as they don't exceed a "3" rating. Thank you!
Posted by Bret Edge on September 11, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Additional research determined that Express Creek Rd. ain't gonna happen for me. Thanks, anyway...
Posted by Todd Caudle on September 11, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Bret, I had been up to Taylor Pass from the Aspen side many times, but never went over the other (Taylor Lake ) side til a few weeks ago. You made the right decision to avoid it. It's the biggest piece of sh*t road I've ever subjected my truck to.
Posted by Bret Edge on September 11, 2010 at 3:34 PM
Wow...that's pretty much all the confirmation I need. Coming from you, and I know what kind of hell you put your truck through, it must really be U-G-L-Y! Thanks, Todd.
Posted by Chris Whitted on September 12, 2010 at 1:58 PM
You may have already come across it in your research, but one site I use is http://www.traildamage.com/. I've found you do have to take everything with a hefty grain of salt, and of course since the roads/trails can change at any time the info isn't always current, but I still think it's a good resource.
Posted by Bret Edge on September 12, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Thanks for the link, Chris. I did find this website yesterday and will certainly be using it in the future. Really appreciate your reply.
Discussion
5 replies- Leave CB south on 135.
- Turn east on Cement Creek Rd. (FS 740)
- Intersect Reno Divide Rd. (FS 759). At fork stay on low road.
- At intersection w/ FS 742 (Taylor River Rd.?) just north of Pothole Res. #2 go north.
- Take FS 761 past Taylor Lake to Ashcroft on Express Creek Rd. (FS 122)
- North on Castle Creek Rd. to Aspen
From what I've read online thus far there is a rocky and somewhat technical section on Reno Divide Rd./Italian Creek Rd. Based on photos it looks do-able to me. I can't find much info on FS 742 or FS 761, although on the map they are designated as "mountain bike route or 4WD" which gives me pause. FS 122, Express Creek Rd., is rated "difficult" on one site although it doesn't give any road/trail details.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm open to suggestions of other routes too, so long as they don't exceed a "3" rating. Thank you!