Sponsored

Pagosa Springs, CO ?

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,541
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
Thanks Chris. I'll look into that route and it's only a little over 3 hours to get to Pagosa and we'll have all day seeing as we can't check into the resort until after 4 pm.
I want to say there is another trail by WestCliff that is a to and back, but I'm not sure on the details. I will get that I fo to you later tonight for you to look into
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
AzScorpion

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
335
Messages
26,238
Reaction score
132,126
Location
Back Home In AZ!
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
Retired...Full Time Slacker
As a suggestion for on the way is to head north towards WestCliff from Colorado City. From there you can hit Medano Pass going to the Great Sand Dunes Nation Park. Nice easy trail the Money Pit #2 should be able to do and it's a little scenic going to Pagosa.
It looks like the road is open but they're not recommending you past Creek Crossing 6. It also looks like the lower crossings and rough and washout right now so being alone I might skip this.

https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-pass-road.htm

Medano Pass Primitive Road is OPEN all the way over the pass, but travel is not recommended above Creek Crossing 6 due to deep mud holes. Some vehicles are making it over the pass, but travel is at your own risk, as there is a potential of getting stuck.

Crossing 2
This crossing has a significant washout. Only vehicles with high clearance should attempt to make the crossing.

Crossing 2 to Crossing 6:
Road is rough, but passable. The 'squeeze rock' area is decent condition.

Crossing 6 to crossing 9
The mud hole above crossing 6 is full of water and the bottom is soft, with the potential to bog down a vehicle. It is drying out, but still presents a significant challenge.

Just before Crossing 8 the road has given way and there is a 3-foot (1m) shelf that is not possible to drive. Visitors have created a bypass out of necessity, but travel through this area is not recommended.
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,541
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
OP
OP
AzScorpion

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
335
Messages
26,238
Reaction score
132,126
Location
Back Home In AZ!
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
Retired...Full Time Slacker
That is unfortunate. There are some other possibilities you could look into if you're interested if you don't have to go to Colorado City tomorrow
I kind of do at this point, the last day to cancel without penalty was yesterday. lol No biggie we want to come back through CO on next years vacation because there's so many great areas out there.
 

Nomadjohn

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
64
Reaction score
112
Location
Colorado Springs, Co
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4


OP
OP
AzScorpion

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
335
Messages
26,238
Reaction score
132,126
Location
Back Home In AZ!
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
Retired...Full Time Slacker

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,541
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
So if you don't mind a little bit extra travel getting to Pagosa I recommend heading north from Colorado City towards Salida. You will get off at Coaldale and get on Hayden Pass. It will take you to Villa Grove Wich is on the north side of the San Luis Valley. Definitely a nice drive and Money Pit #2 will handle it. I have taken the old Ranger and my Pathfinder there. Takes a little to do but worth the drive. Just make sure you air down!!

IMG_20230629_183941901_HDR.jpg
 

CO2Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Threads
34
Messages
1,097
Reaction score
2,105
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURD / Former: 2021 Ranger Lariat FX4
So if you don't mind a little bit extra travel getting to Pagosa I recommend heading north from Colorado City towards Salida. You will get off at Coaldale and get on Hayden Pass. It will take you to Villa Grove Wich is on the north side of the San Luis Valley. Definitely a nice drive and Money Pit #2 will handle it. I have taken the old Ranger and my Pathfinder there. Takes a little to do but worth the drive. Just make sure you air down!!

IMG_20230629_183941901_HDR.jpg
:) I have the same book!
 

CO2Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Threads
34
Messages
1,097
Reaction score
2,105
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURD / Former: 2021 Ranger Lariat FX4
I kind of do at this point, the last day to cancel without penalty was yesterday. lol No biggie we want to come back through CO on next years vacation because there's so many great areas out there.
Let me know when you're coming. Would love to hit up a few trails with the Ranger crowd.
 

canyonslicker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Threads
43
Messages
1,437
Reaction score
5,294
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger Lariat
Occupation
65 YO Juvenile Delinquent
Thanks! I'd rather go to this one seeing as you both loved the food there. We tried one yesterday in Rapid City and it was the worst Mexican restaurant we've ever eaten at. ??
Ok again, you leave AZ to SD and go out for Mexican food ? My stepson became a cook at Mexican restaurant here in SoCal about 8 months ago. Since he’s upped their game! It’s a well established place already for real Mexican food 20 plus years I’ve been going there. Unless you know the old ways it can be really a mess. At least you lived through it ?
 

Dahveed

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 9, 2020
Threads
9
Messages
497
Reaction score
1,148
Location
Central Kansas
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger XLT 4x4 / 2020 Ford Edge ST-Line
Occupation
Pharmacy Consultant
Watch out for the feed store if you're haulin' some chickens.
 

CO2Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Threads
34
Messages
1,097
Reaction score
2,105
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURD / Former: 2021 Ranger Lariat FX4
OP
OP
AzScorpion

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
335
Messages
26,238
Reaction score
132,126
Location
Back Home In AZ!
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
Retired...Full Time Slacker
So if you don't mind a little bit extra travel getting to Pagosa I recommend heading north from Colorado City towards Salida. You will get off at Coaldale and get on Hayden Pass. It will take you to Villa Grove Wich is on the north side of the San Luis Valley. Definitely a nice drive and Money Pit #2 will handle it. I have taken the old Ranger and my Pathfinder there. Takes a little to do but worth the drive. Just make sure you air down!!

IMG_20230629_183941901_HDR.jpg
I'll have to pick up that book next time we're back that way. I doubt I can do much off roading on the way to Pagosa because my truck is packed with all our stuff. Also, after a month on the road Annie has packed it even more with souvenirs junk. ?‍♂

Let me know when you're coming. Would love to hit up a few trails with the Ranger crowd.
Once we dump our stuff off at the resort that might be a possibility. We'll be there from Saturday afternoon 'til Wednesday morning. It was a last minute plan (like 10:00 pm last night lol) because she doesn't have to go back to work until Thursday. Plus we want to checkout more of CO and see where we can spend more time on next years vacation.
Sponsored

 
 








Top