Iowa to Colorado trip in Mid August... Man vs Wild 2014
 

From a couple local forums:

It’s looking like there will be another “Man vs Wild” trip this summer. The ball just got rolling Monday so there aren’t a ton of details yet. The available dates are August 1 – 20. The trip length will be 7 to 10 days give or take. The area is also going to be a little different this year. We are going to hit up the Ouray/Telluride area in southwest Colorado. I estimate the drive from the Des Moines area to the first trail head will take almost 18 hours or so if we avoid the interstate west of Denver. Add time if there are rigs that can’t do interstate speeds and we take back roads all the way there (not a problem), and subtract at least a couple hours if we go hard on interstate and divided highways the entire trip. According to traildamage.com and the Wells book most of the trails are actually relatively tame in that area. I think there are only two that get above a 5 on the rating. There are, however, a couple trails with lower difficulty ratings that still bring a high pucker factor…. Like Black Bear Pass.

The trip game plan will be basically the same as before, but this time I would like to find a way to get guys that trailer their rigs involved. That whole “no trailer” thing in the past has left a few guys that wanted to go at home before. We will, for the most part, try to avoid towns as much as possible during the week. That means camping on the trail with no motels nearby. Wives and girlfriends are more than welcome, but keep in mind the whole showering and pooping in the woods. There is basically no cell reception on the trails for the most part…. Starbucks does have wi-fi we found ;)

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Here is a preliminary update:

The dates have been narrowed down a little bit more, but nothing set in stone yet. Probably 9 days total. I was thinking somewhere between August 10 and 20. I'm available the week before if it comes to it, but it's the Knoxville Nationals here in town and there is money to be made! ;)

Prelim trail ideas (starting from my pad) Trails in red.

Day 1 - Knoxvegas ---> Silverton Colorado. 1100 Miles and about 19 hours or so… Primitive Camping/Campground/Motel at or near destination???

Day 2 - Silverton ---> Howardsville ---> Middleton ---> Picayne Gulch Trail ---> Eureka ---> Silver Queen Mine ---> Placer Gulch Trail ---> Animas Forks ---> Mineral Point ---> Engineer Pass (Leg) ---> Mickey Breene Mine ---> Hwy 550 ---> Silverton.

Day 3 - Silverton ---> Ouray ---> Campbird Road ---> Imogene Pass ---> Telluride.

Day 4 - Telluride ---> Hwy 145 ---> Alta ---> Alta Lakes Trail ---> Hwy 145 ---> Ophir ---> Ophir Pass ---> Hwy 550 ---> Silverton.

Day 5 - Silverton ---> Hwy 550 ---> Engineer Pass ---> Lake City ---> Hwy 149 ---> Hwy 351/Cinnamon Pass

Day 6 - Cinnamon Pass ---> Animas Forks ---> California Gulch Trail ----> Hurricane Pass ---> Corkscrew Gulch Trail ---> Hwy 550 ---> Silverton

Day 7 - Silverton ---> Hwy 550 ---> BLACK BEAR PASS ---> Telluride ---> Hwy 145 ---> Hwy 62 ---> Hwy 550 ---> Silverton

Day 8 - Silverton ---> Cunningham Gulch Trail ---> Stony Pass Trail ---> Kite Lake Trail ---> Road 149

Day 9 - Drive Back to Iowa or fall off the grid and become mountain men.

Day 10 - Optional Stop on the way home to sleep. KOA in Gothenburg and Grand Island Nebraska?



Ideas or suggestions?!