Getting to trailheads

[aprockies]

I will be flying into Denver and then heading up to do some hiking in the Sawatch range in a few weeks. In the past, when I have gone out to hike in the mountains, I have always driven my own car, but that isn't an option for this trip. I know rental car companies forbid using their vehicles on unpaved roads. What other options might I have to get to the trailheads?

I know I can rent a Jeep in Buena Vista, but the price is a little steep for the week.

Is there a way to hire a driver to take us up to the trailheads and pick us up? (some on 4WD roads)

Is there any organized way for a non-local to do ride sharing with other hikers/climbers?

Does anyone on the forum want to chauffeur me around? I'm only joking. Unless someone wants to do it. Then I'm not joking, and you'd be welcome to join the for hiking if you want.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Scott P]

Is there a way to hire a driver to take us up to the trailheads and pick us up? (some on 4WD roads)

Leadville Hostel does shuttle hikers.

Here is one car-less option. Fly or bus to Durango and take the train to Needleton and head for Eolus, Sunlight, and Windom. Those are some of the best 14ers in Colorado and you don't need a car to get to them.

Is there any organized way for a non-local to do ride sharing with other hikers/climbers?

Check the CMC trips online. They often carpool.

[cschmidt1023]

Should be an option on Uber

Or a separate app!

[aprockies]

Should be an option on Uber

Or a separate app!

I was actually thinking this too. If I was a little younger, more ambitious, and more tech savvy I'd create a shared economy app for this.

[TravelingMatt]

I know rental car companies forbid using their vehicles on unpaved roads.

Do it anyway. What are they gonna do?

[GreenHorn]

I know rental car companies forbid using their vehicles on unpaved roads.

Do it anyway. What are they gonna do?

This is the correct answer.

[spiderman]

The ultimate off-road vehicle is a rental with supplemental insurance! I have driven hundreds of miles on dirt roads in rentals and never had an issue no matter how dirty and muddy I returned the sedans. I wouldn't take one up to Lake Como, but most of the other roads should be just fine.

[TravelingMatt]

The ultimate off-road vehicle is a rental with supplemental insurance!

Actually that's the one way you can be screwed over! If you admit to driving on a 4x4 road they can deny coverage, if the terms say you can't do it.

Credit card damage coverage, OTOH, usually doesn't check this too hard, especially if there's no police report.

So don't buy it in the first place.

[aprockies]

I know rental car companies forbid using their vehicles on unpaved roads.

Do it anyway. What are they gonna do?

This is the correct answer.

I have done this before. I know its an overly restrictive rule and I really shouldn't feel guilty about it. But I try to have good karma, so if I have a more upright path I'd prefer to take it.

[peter303]

Check the CMC trips online. They often carpool.

The CMC requires you to have done five hikes with them at a level easier than a 14er before they you on a 14er hike. Thats why I never renewed after one year.

[scalba123]

I know rental car companies forbid using their vehicles on unpaved roads.

Do it anyway. What are they gonna do?

I've returned rental vehicles that were covered with dirt. Never heard one complaint from the rental company.

[peter303]

I know rental car companies forbid using their vehicles on unpaved roads.

Do it anyway. What are they gonna do?

In Iceland where driving on the 4WD interior roads is a major issue, some companies have GPS trackers to know where you drive. And they used mirror sticks to inspect the undercarriage when I returned it. US contracts have weasel words saying they could track you, but I doubt few do.