Lake City area dispersed car camping?
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Kent McLemore
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Lake City area dispersed car camping?
We'll be in the Lake City area next month and are looking for a nice place to car camp that is within an hour or so of Nellie Creek and Matterhorn Creek TH's. We'll be there for 4-5 days. We have 4WD. Is it unrealistic to expect to find solitude along the Alpine Loop? (We will eventually head over Engineer or Cinnamon to Silverton.) Any suggestions or advice appreciated.
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XterraRob
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Re: Lake City area dispersed car camping?
If you can get your hands on an off-road trail map or a forest service map, you'll be able to see all of the turn offs along the loop where you can drive in and set up camp without much need for 4WD. The loop can get packed along the main trail but there's usually something open on the side trails with modest seclusion.
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KansanClimber
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Re: Lake City area dispersed car camping?
Yes.Kent McLemore wrote:We have 4WD. Is it unrealistic to expect to find solitude along the Alpine Loop?
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onebyone
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Re: Lake City area dispersed car camping?
The Bad: Anything near Lake City will be inundated with Texans zipping around on ATVs.
The Good: They usually have a casual start, taking in a big breakfast. So if you're climbing 14ers, you won't be that affected b/c you'll already be hiking before they show up. If you get back to camp in the afternoon, then you won't have a lot of peace until after dinner.
The Good: They usually have a casual start, taking in a big breakfast. So if you're climbing 14ers, you won't be that affected b/c you'll already be hiking before they show up. If you get back to camp in the afternoon, then you won't have a lot of peace until after dinner.
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TallGrass
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Re: Lake City area dispersed car camping?
Visit the Lake City visitor center. Very helpful, plenty of info and maps, and they sell CORSAR cards. The more effort it takes to reach your campsite, the more solitude you'll have.
"A few hours' mountain climbing make of a rogue and a saint two fairly equal creatures.
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
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Stevo
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Re: Lake City area dispersed car camping?
Head up towards big blue. The turnoff is about 10 miles North of Lake City then a 10-15 miles dirt road to the forest. Lots of camping back here and probably the best chance of solitude close by.
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onebyone
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Re: Lake City area dispersed car camping?
Good call. The only neg is that if you're doing 14ers you're adding A GOOD 45 min drive to the trailheads for Handies, RedCloud, Sunshine and Wetterhorn.. And double that for Uncompaghre.Stevo wrote:Head up towards big blue. The turnoff is about 10 miles North of Lake City then a 10-15 miles dirt road to the forest. Lots of camping back here and probably the best chance of solitude close by.
But that's a good spot
