North of I70 vs. South of I70

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kimo
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by kimo »

Good one, 12ersRule. Voshkm has it right - there's only one 14 up north. And 54 13ers. There are 1,200 people on the forum right now - I bet few could identify the Rabbit Ears Range on an unlabeled map of Colorado. I bet everyone could point out the location of the Sawatch or San Juan Mountains on the same map. And the Flat Top Mountains north of I-70 should be considered the "grand daddy" of Colorado wilderness and not the Weminuche but few know that story or even care.

Up north there are no keggers on summits and dispersed car camping is still easy to find. Except around Winter Park I don't compete with mountain bikers for camping spots. In general there are less people on the roads and trails, at least during non-hunting months. We have enjoyed many trips on northern peaks and back roads and have encountered just a handful of people. Contrary to a previous post, I believe the wilderness experience is superior in the north, where non-wilderness is more wilderness than some designated Wilderness areas in other parts of the state. Recently we touched the edge of the Sarvis Creek Wilderness and I can't wait to get deeper into it for the remaining peaks. We felt like the only people for miles and miles. But one has to like trees to appreciate what many of these areas offer. The lack of 13ers and 14ers keep social media motivated "climbers" away.

Many of the reasons why people prefer the south are the same reasons my partner and I much prefer the north. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by FireOnTheMountain »

Good points here but wheres the part where we talk about how much driving sucks ass?
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by Scott P »

Interesting perspective Kimo. I am curious about (but not disagreeing with) some of the statements.

I am wondering about the statement of the Flat Tops as being the grand daddy of all wilderness rather than the Wininuche. Why would this be?

I also like the Sarvis Creek Wilderness, but to me the peaks themselves don't stand out.

The Rabbit Ears Range does have some pretty good peaks, but overall I'd consider it to be a bit less spectacular than some of the surrounding ranges (Gore, Park(Zirkel), and Never Summer).

I do have to add that the Sawtooth Range in the Zirkel Wilderness rivals anywhere else in Colorado for alpine scenery.
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by lordhelmut »

In Front Range, South Denver has more public transportation options, but the living isn't as affordable. In the north, the living is more affordable but the public transportation sucks. And traffic sucks in all cardinal directions.

As for the mountains, I personally think its a wash, but thats mainly just my own personal perspective. For me, Weminuche takes a slight nod to RMNP/IPW, but Gores take a nod to HCW. Sangres (south) and Park Range (North) seem to be havens where you can find solitude year round. Maybe Sawatch/Elks are the x-factor, but they can get viciously gaped out.

Regardless, the diversity of the North and South of Colorado is what sets this state apart from the rest of the lower 48. I like that every range and sub-range has something a little different to offer.
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by sunny1 »

I'd take all of it - they are different from each other and are both wonderful. Lean slightly South. But unable to pick one over the other. :-D
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by ajkagy »

I vote for west of the front range, the best of everything. 8)
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by Lville »

I was forced to pause briefly to entertain the solid argument of the scarlet and gray residing just north of I-70, and I guess I'll throw the Cavs in there as well, but if considering only the implied geographical boundaries of the original question, I have to cast my vote for the south. Tough call, but just too many cool towns, mountains, and festivals on the southside of our fine state.
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by Matt »

I choose El Sur

I miss living in the San Juans and hope to get the F out of the city in a few years, once I've made my fortune...
Since I explored most of CO coming from NM and the San Juans, I freely admit my bias and potential lack of good comparators.
However, I think of my five favorite outdoor spots/areas so far in this state, and all are south of I-70:
Ice/Island Lake area
Approach to Lindsey/Blanca around Huerfano River
Alpine Loop
Ouray/Telluride
Crestones/Music Pass/Hermit Pass

None of that is to slight the Gores, Flat Tops, or IPW. Those places are the best of the north, IMO, but I haven't spent enough time in them.

Of my five favorite CO ski areas, the south wins again:
Telluride
Silverton
Aspen Highlands
Mary Jane
Steamboat
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by SchralpTheGnar »

kimo wrote:Good one, 12ersRule. Voshkm has it right - there's only one 14 up north. And 54 13ers. There are 1,200 people on the forum right now - I bet few could identify the Rabbit Ears Range on an unlabeled map of Colorado. I bet everyone could point out the location of the Sawatch or San Juan Mountains on the same map. And the Flat Top Mountains north of I-70 should be considered the "grand daddy" of Colorado wilderness and not the Weminuche but few know that story or even care.

Up north there are no keggers on summits and dispersed car camping is still easy to find. Except around Winter Park I don't compete with mountain bikers for camping spots. In general there are less people on the roads and trails, at least during non-hunting months. We have enjoyed many trips on northern peaks and back roads and have encountered just a handful of people. Contrary to a previous post, I believe the wilderness experience is superior in the north, where non-wilderness is more wilderness than some designated Wilderness areas in other parts of the state. Recently we touched the edge of the Sarvis Creek Wilderness and I can't wait to get deeper into it for the remaining peaks. We felt like the only people for miles and miles. But one has to like trees to appreciate what many of these areas offer. The lack of 13ers and 14ers keep social media motivated "climbers" away.

Many of the reasons why people prefer the south are the same reasons my partner and I much prefer the north. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by Oman »

Scott P wrote: I am wondering about the statement of the Flat Tops as being the grand daddy of all wilderness rather than the Wininuche. Why would this be?
I bet this is what Kimo is thinking: Trappers Lake in the Flat Tops was the first place the U.S. Forest Service, which had been gung-ho for logging and development, set aside for protection. That happened in 1919; the federal Wilderness Act wasn't passed until 1964. Historians since have called Trappers Lake and the Flat Tops the Cradle of Wilderness.

http://www.postindependent.com/news/loc ... ess-began/

As for the north vs. south debate, I think the fishing is better in the north, or at least less crowded. It's the North Platte, Colorado, Green, White, Fraser, Encampment, Little Snake, and Yampa vs. the South Platte, Gunnison, Arkansas, Taylor, Fryingpan, Roaring Fork, Rio Grande, Conejos, Piedra, Dolores, and Animas. Almost all the state trout records are from the south, though.
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by BillMiddlebrook »

Overall, I'll go south. I put the Gores in a category of their own. :)

I would much rather go to the Sangres than pretty much anything north and east of the Gores, although I have done a fair amount of hunting in the Flattops
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Re: North of I70 vs. South of I70

Post by Scott P »

BillMiddlebrook wrote: I would much rather go to the Sangres than pretty much anything north and east of the Gores, although I have done a fair amount of hunting in the Flattops
Hey Bill,

What about the Mt Zirkel Wilderness and Sawtooth Range? That is north of the Gores and has some of the best scenery in Colorado. I'd be happy to show you around sometime. ;)

The Sawtooth Range area is similar to the Gore scenery wise, but it's a lot less known and less visited.
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