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https://durangoherald.com/articles/366120-two-colorado-public-lands-bills-pass-in-us-house The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act and the Colorado Wilderness Act on Friday as part of the Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act. After passing in the House on a bipartisan basis, the public lands acts move to the Senate. If passed in the Senate, the legislation would designate and protect hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in Colorado. U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Lafayette, introduced the CORE Act in the House while U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet introduced it in the Senate as an attempt to give it a better chance at passing into law. The CORE Act encompasses four previously introduced bills, and it would designate, protect and preserve more than 400,000 acres of land in Colorado. U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, introduced the Colorado Wilderness Act in the House. If passed, the act would designate more than 600,000 acres of lands in Colorado as federally protected wilderness. U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., is on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over the bill. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Rifle, is on the House Committee on Natural Resources, which will also review and consider the bill. She previously called the CORE Act a “land grab by Denver’s liberals.” In 2019, the CORE Act passed in the House twice, but it failed to make it to the Senate floor either time. On Feb. 2, Hickenlooper, Neguse and Bennet held a virtual conference to announce the reintroduction of the CORE Act this congressional term. "I feel very confident that we can get it done this year,” Bennet said at the virtual conference. Bennet said the biggest obstacle to passing the CORE Act into law will most likely be “dysfunction in the Senate,” rather than opposition to the legislation. Hickenlooper and Neguse also expressed optimism for the passage of the CORE Act this year at the virtual conference. They said a pro-conservation president and a pro-conservation majority in the House and Senate is an indication that the bill will do well. During a confirmation hearing Thursday, Rep. Deb Haaland, nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, indicated that she and President Joe Biden are supportive of the CORE Act. “They say third time’s the charm. The House’s passage of the CORE Act today – for the third time – means we’re poised to prove that expression true,” Hickenlooper said in a statement after the bill passed. “We’re eager to finish the job in the Senate.”

Hope they find him ok. Been missing for a couple days. https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/la-plata-county-search-and-rescue-searching-for-missing-person/

Headed to Taylor Park this week with a CRF250F. I’ve ridden the SxS and quad trails several times but fairly new to 2 wheels. I’m looking for some single track recommendations for a beginner that will be riding solo. Thanks!

This one is right up there with the best. Blocked Lime Creek for a week. Moron of the year. All he had to do is stay on 550 for 20 minutes, lol. https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/rv-is-free-after-spending-a-week-stuck-on-lime-creek-road/

Looking for someone to ride Rampart with Friday 6/4. Probably ride a portion of the 770 single-track and some of the double track too. I need to be back by early afternoon so looking to ride morning for a handful of hours and head back. I'm a C to low B rider. Let me know if you're interested.

Well, here is the next step toward locking us out of our land. Pretty much the entire area around Crested Butte will soon be off limits to dispersed camping. Next step will be to further implement this into Taylor Park. In case ya don't know, the first steps were already taken a handful of years ago where spots were identified and some areas totally closed. Some people like established campgrounds....I prefer private spots that are nice n peaceful...I'm hopeful that some of the spots they designate will fit that bill, but I'm pretty sure it will be faaar less than what we have today. Will Sargents be next? Note that there is no mention of our advocates being involved in this process. ------------------ From Out There Colorado: Camping will look different this year in one of Colorado's most beautiful mountain valleys. Dispersed camping is coming to end for six popular backcountry drainages nestled in the Crested Butte Valley. To ensure a sustainable future for both recreational camping and the natural beauty of backcountry, officials will begin to transition dispersed camping areas to designated camping sites only for backcountry areas along Slate River, Washington Gulch, Kebler Pass, Lake Irwin, Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Gothic Roads. "The changes will help to reduce impacts to the landscape and natural ecosystems, as well as the development of non-system routes, and sanitation issues," the press release states. "Designated sites will also help contain campfires to reduce forest fires." Starting this spring, camping will only be allowed at designed sites in areas along Slate River and Washington Gulch Roads. These same restrictions will be rolled out across five additional camping areas this summer and fall including Kebler Pass, Lake Irwin, Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Gothic Roads. Designated camp sites will be marked with a two-foot-tall 6x6 post. Attached to the post will be a camping symbol along with an associated site number. Permanent metal fire rings will also be installed at each designated site. According to officials, the goal is to have more than 200 valley wide sites designated come spring 2022. Signage will be installed along the roadsides directing visitors toward dispersed camping areas, camping information, and notifying them when no camping areas lie ahead. The United States Forest Service (USFS) has partnered with the Gunnison Valley Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) committee to help carry out these new plans and fund the designated camping project. Visitors are encouraged to have backup plan in the event that all the designated sites are full, especially during peak travel times. For the latest information on dispersed camping in the Crested Butte Valley, please visit https://crestedbuttemountainbike.com and https://gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.

Anyone know if these areas were spared from the Cameron Peak fire? Fingers crossed we can still ride and camp there this summer!.

Advanced singletrack rider looking for same as ride partner for multi day trips in CO, UT,WY ...Share driving, expenses I like to ride all day loops, stay in motels. Live in Lakewood-Denver area.

Just want to give a shout out to the gentleman and his wife that hooked my buddy up with some gas on Monday 8-30-21. They were camped in a fifth wheel just south of Spring creek Reservoir. He was very low on gas and wasn’t going to have enough to make it to the trading post in Taylor Park. This was our last day of riding on our trip and they saved our day. It’s folks like you that make this riding community so great. Thank you again!

Went for a little ride… The south west corner of Colorado is the most beautiful part of an exceptionally beautiful state. It’s mountainous and brutally rugged. We went there with the goal of motorcycling a bunch of the mountain passes over a 3 day adventure. We ended up conquering 4: Stoney , California, Engineers, and Hurricane . Some had easy spots but the vast majority were brutal climbing followed by brutality scary descent tied together with rough washboard chatter. I managed 2 days and about 200 miles of this punishment before my courage gave out on a very steep rocky descent and then my stamina quit on the rocky chatter that followed. I just couldn’t conquer the fear anymore and physically keep up with the punishment required to keep the bike vertical. Very humbling experience. Rocky lived up to its name.starting out with a steep section of rocky switchbacks climbing out of Silverton. This part gave me confidence and my little 690 just ate up the assent never struggling or stumbling once. On top it was easier and spectacularly beautiful. The descent was rocky, steep and brutal. I fell over twice. My gear worked and I came through physically unscathed but mentally crushed with my previously earned confidence obliterated. On to Engineers. This one turned out to be the easiest. It comes out of Lake City and is popular tourist route. The climb up was easy other than the rough chatter that is omnipresent here. One rock strewn section took out Joel’s front tire so we had to stop and change out a tube. Made it to the top without further incident with just a few more challenging obstacles to navigate. The descent was a bit more technical with rocky sections and tighter switchbacks. I lost the front end on one tight left hander when I locked up the wheel in some silt on the corner. Bent my clutch lever but again my body armor did it’s job and I was unhurt. We finished out day one relatively unmolested. The bike was scuffed but easily repairable. Day two dawned with the aim to take it a bit easier. Joel looked up Hurricane and California as the next two passes to go for. I’m not sure which was which but the first started out easy and then as we progressed turned to crap. The crap came in the form of a rough very very very steep climb to the summit. First gear just pulling up and hoping I wouldn’t stop. I was praying “don’t stop” “don’t stop” “don’t stop” all the way up. It was steep enough that if I had I think I wouldn’t have been able to get going again. Thankfully I made it and reached the top. Pretty spectacular at the top but we didn’t tarry long due to a rapidly approaching storm that started to unleash some rather cold rain on us. Then began the soul crushing descent. This was wet, steep, rocky and scary as hell. I inched my way down with intense, paralyzing fear building as I progressed. I rode my brakes and just creeped slowly down, coming to a complete stop often just trying to survive it. This had me petrified and it took everything I had to get down. After I made it I stopped, got off the bike and did a crazy little happy dance but at that moment I knew I was done. I could do no more. Mentally and physically the mountains had me beat. Fortunately the remaining ride back was relatively easy. We still had more of the incessant washboard chatter but the scenery was beautiful and we stopped at some cool mining remnants and a little ghost town of Animas Forks. That was really interesting. The mill that we stopped at was a numbered kit. They must have built it somewhere, numbered the parts and then reassembled it at site. The ghost town was also well worth the pain to get there and contained 5 or 6 well preserved buildings. So anyway we finished off day two with me remaining vertical and uninjured but beaten. No more passes From here on I’ll have to pass thank you. Pun intended. We finished off the day with dinner at a former bordello that had a sign “We no longer offer those services, but we do have great food.” Overall a good time. I didn’t train enough and my age, stamina and mental fitness wasn’t up to the task. Am I glad I did it? Yes and no. On the positive side the views were outrageous. Spending time with Joel is always great. On the not so positive side the brutal terrain was too much, to physically demanding and to mentally demeaning. It left me old and having to face the fact that I just don’t want to do that sort of ride anymore. I’ll be perfectly happy throwing my camera in my backpack and toddling down some nice smooth road to take pictures of some nice easy to get to boring stuff. In the future if I want to see the “out there” stuff I’ll watch it on YouTube. Lessons learned: 1. Don’t attempt to camp in a tent at 10500 feet in late August. It got down to 28 degrees. 2. Train harder/longer. You are old, fat and, round although a shape, is not the one you want. 3. The “easy” pass seldom is. 4. Sometimes YouTube is better than actual experience. 5. If someone says “Let’s go ride a bunch of passes for 3 days based in Silverton.” Politely say “Are you out of your f-ing mind?” and “No thank you.” “I’ll pass.”

me and my boy have been riding taylor park for about 18 years we are looking for something less traveled by sxs and quads quite frankly they are the rudest sloppiest inconsiderate folks ive ran into were just looking for some quite camping and single track 40- 100 mile loops to hit .tomichie creek seem decent but want to try some thin new ,any sugestions would be appreciated

Where do you guys suggest to ride if just getting back into trail riding? Riding a KDX200. Not interested in technical single track. I am old now and just want to have fun. Don't care about going that fast. Thanks.

Finally get to spend a few days in Ouray over Labor Day. Looking for advice to see if my ride plans are realistic. Fairly familiar with the trails, as my Jeep friends have done them, I've done a ton of resarch, and I had a trip planned prior that didn't work out. I drive a plated KTM 300 XCW and will carry some extra premix oil, though I shouldn't need it. Staying in a condo in Ouray and will drive from town. I'll have two full days to ride. Plans are: DAY 1 (~ 50 Miles): Ouray to Black Bear Pass Trailhead Black Bear to Telluride Telluride to Ouray via Imogene Pass and Yankee Boy Basin DAY 2 (~ 25 Miles): Ouray to Engineer Pass TrailHead Engineer Pass to Poughkeepsie Gulch Turnoff Poughkeepsie Gulch Hurricane Pass Corkscrew Pass Back to Ouray I have .gpx trail maps saved to my phone, and the surrounding maps cached so I'm not dependent on cell signal. Will have tools, water, snacks, and at least 1 person on Day 1. For those that have ridden Ouray, what say you? Pic for attention.

Been doing TP the last few years and that place is awesome. Wondering if there is anything else with lots of Single Track I'm missing out on in CO ?

I am a novice rider looking for people to ride with. I live in Durango but have been riding in Aztec and Farmington. I'm not a novice to offroad, I desert race quads and mountain bike, but this motorcycle thing is a whole different ball of wax. I just got a CRF250X to trailride, love it, but am hesitant to explore much on my own. Anybody else slow wanna ride?

Recently,I took a trip out to Colorado for some R&R on a family vacation. I brought my riding gear and had planned on renting a bike, but I was too late and at least what I looked at, there was no availability for my timeline. Bummer, since I'd not ridden the rockies in over 4 years, something pretty special when you live in flatlanderville (Florida)! But, behind the scenes, a couple of TT'ers were at work! Through TT, we recently hired a fine, young gentleman to head up our advertising sales team,( @Freemotion ) and he pulled some strings with a local who had a well equipped KTM 450XC-W that is his back-up machine. His new love is a 2019 KTM 300 TPI and it was gorgeous! So, a HUGE thanks to @Freemotion for greasing the skids in getting me a skoot and to @G 9.5 for generously lending out his bike to basically a stranger. The weather was great, so was the company, and the riding was epic as far as I'm concerned. I'm still a bit humbled by the generosity, so I wanted to share a story that I bet isn't as uncommon among the riding community as one might imagine. Dirt bike people rock! ?

I'm looking to explore a little bit this Sunday and rather than riding alone, I'm curious if anyone would like to join or I can tag along. I've mostly been riding Rampart since it's close to the house, but since trails are closed, I'm exploring options near Co. Springs. Looking to ride some single track with black diamonds mixed in, but open to anything since I have not been in that area.

What do you guys think? Thinking maybe higher elevation trails would still be iffy? If so, what about the lower elevation trails? Also, any good alternatives down around Mancos or Durango? Thanks All.

Just thought I'd share. I'm sure anyone living down on the south end of the front range already knew that, but some of us up here on the north end wonder as I often do. I won't go to a track, so this and Penrose are about it for me... but summer is coming soon... I hope. For me it was worth it as I had done some suspension work and wanted to see how the bike would handle on that bumpy stuff as well as over in the sand.

Thanks for visiting my 2001 Suzuki DRZ400e resto/build thread. I picked up my DRZ this past summer shortly before getting my endorsement. I have plenty of off-roading and wrenching experience although it’s all been focused on 4x4’s and mountain bikes. A couple buddies and I all picked up project (of varying degrees) dual sports with hopes of exploring the northern Colorado national forests and good old adventure on 2 wheels. The previous owner of this bike only had it for a short period of time and didn’t have much history on it. It came with studded tires, a worn out ACCT, and running pretty lean. This thread will document my resto/build with the intent of 25% street/commuting, 50% forest service road exploring, and 25% enduro-type trails. Here is a list of items I addressed shortly after acquiring the bike: Tusk Motorcycle Enduro Lighting kit (bike is now titled and plated in CO) New disc brake pads Oil and filter change New Tires… Kenda K760 Trakmaster II rear, Pirelli MT21 front All Balls Wheel Bearing kits (front & Rear) New foam air filter (Tusk) New Tusk valve cover gasket Thumpertalk MCCT Pigtail for trickle charger Checked valve clearance (all in tolerance) A few other upgrades/mod’s that I can see have already been added: Scott’s triple clamp Air box has been opened up Auxillary CPU fan on radiator Radiator guard (not sure on brand) Factory Effex seat (not sure if this is an upgrade) Skidplate Over the next couple weeks I plan to begin disassembling the bike down to the frame and here are the planned upgrade/maintenance items I plan to address (depending on funding) before the spring riding season: IMS 4.0 Tank Seat Concepts saddle (foam kit) Tusk D Flex pro hand guards ProGrip 714 grips LED low/high beam upgrades with a customer headlight housing Ram Mount Spring grip (iphone) New plastics for front/rear fender and side panels (black) De-rust stock exhaust and paint black Service swingarm bearings Gather a tool kit, first aide kit, and spare parts kit Wider ebay pedals Trackside 12v adapter to cockpit Paint the frame (reading lots on paint vs powdercoat) Polish wheels / de-rust spokes Check jetting in carb… add JD Jet Kit as necessary Thumpertalk case savers… may need to replace case on right side (damaged) Smooth the back of the shifter near the folding tip it has kind of a sharp edge that can still damage thru the case saver Delete clutch and stand switches Free Power Mod Go through wiring harness and shorten/clean up/re-do connections/silicone grease in every electrical connector New Drive chain and sprocket(s)… still researching desired gearing (recommendations welcome) Flush brake fluid Flush radiator fluid Maintain / tune suspension as needed I would love for you all to join me on this journey and add your recommendations/opinions on upgrades, personal experience, alternative brands, things I’ve missed, etc. I will be taking my time to post details on the upgrades I’m making along the way although I’m not bringing innovation to what you all have already accomplished. Thanks again and I look forward to learning from and sharing with this community as I go!

Was just on a different bike forum and a friend there was mentioning to me about a cool paved road in Canon City for a street bike ride. While browsing the area for other roads and trails for potential dirt bike and drift trike adventures, I found what appears to be either a Jeep trail or an OHV trail, or possibly just a county dirt road. Not sure which it is tho. Anyway, doesn't look difficult at all for a bike. But sounds like there may be lots of areas to ride and even camp out by the road. Anyone been out here on a dirt bike? Can you get gas in Victor? It's 29.5 miles, so would be cutting it awfully close for an out and back on my moto tank. I'm kind of more interested in finding a place to camp with trails or fire roads close by.

I have watched Washington State change over the years and being at a place in my life where all I want to do is ride trails, I am considering leaving Washington State. Where would you move to if you were set up in life and all you had to do was to enjoy the next 30 years riding trails? Your help is greatly appreciated. I have 3 places in mind, what say you guys? Where would you go? My ideal riding is technical single track. For instance I love little Naches, Tahuya obviously and Shelton areas. Thanks everyone who chimes in, much appreciated. PS. Pics are a huge bonus.

I was planning on taking a day trip this Wednesday over to rampart range for a solo ride. This past Saturday I was in Deckers fly fishing and the most of the 5 mile long trail was pretty dry. Has anyone been up there recently or know what i can expect?

U.S. pushes changes to Western land plans that judge blocked BILLINGS, Mont. – U.S. Interior Department officials are seeking to bolster their case for easing restrictions on energy development, mining and grazing in Western states inhabited by a declining bird species. A federal judge in Idaho blocked the Trump administration plans last year over concerns that they could harm greater sage grouse, a ground-dwelling bird. Assistant Interior Secretary Casey Hammond says a new set of environmental studies published Friday clarifies the steps the government will take to conserve the bird’s habitat. The Interior Department opened a 45-day public comment period on the studies that cover millions of acres of public lands in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and California. Sage grouse have been in decline for decades due to habitat loss and other factors, and their numbers dropped sharply last year across much of their range. Sage grouse territory in Montana, Washington and the Dakotas was not impacted by the proposed changes. The legal dispute over the administration’s proposal is before Judge B. Lynn Winmill In Idaho. The case dates to 2016, when environmental groups sued the Obama administration over a previous set of rules that they described as insufficient to protect grouse from heading toward extinction.