Anything open early on the Front Range for a new driver?

[MATPHAT]

So, I talked my brother and his friend into moving to CO. I also took them on a couple of mid summer wheeling days out in Ouray and here on the Front Range. They went nuts! The friend dumped his BMW and bought a 550 overtrail plus because he was so stoked about it all. (Yeah, I know...)

Now I'm supposed to teach him the ropes which I'm totally not qualified for but I'll do my best.

He's ready to go hit the trails now now now and I've just got no idea what might be open at the moment that would be a good starting point for him. I thought of doing all the stuff up around Ned, (Bunce, Sugarloaf, etc..) because they are open but truthfully I don't think any of those will give a real experience.

What I really want to do is take him to Slaughterhouse as I feel like its the perfect intro but it's closed.

Anyone want to make any suggestions for what's open now that might let the guy feel like he did something without scaring him to death?

Thanks all!

 

[On the RX]

What about Yankee Hill? I wouldn't take them up the steep section after what I would call the mid trail parking lot if there was snow. Do they have recovery points, armor, recovery gear, ect; or are they just ready to send it from the factory setup?

 

[MATPHAT]

What about Yankee Hill? I wouldn't take them up the steep section after what I would call the mid trail parking lot if there was snow. Do they have recovery points, armor, recovery gear, ect; or are they just ready to send it from the factory setup?

Factory setup. Though based on what I've seen, that's more than enough for a first timer. Yankee is a great suggestion. I'll put it on the list.

 

[Lastresort576]

get them started on Switzerland trail. its open and easy. its boring in my eyes, but still scenic and theyll love it. plus its a great way to get an intro to wheeling. I wouldnt suggest those climbs on slaughterhouse for a first timer.

also im not sure what that gx has for tires on it, but make sure theyre adequate. and maybe suggest he get some sliders before anything. id hate to see a $100k+ rig get smashed up because of inexperience.

 

[On the RX]

get them started on Switzerland trail. its open and easy. its boring in my eyes, but still scenic and theyll love it. plus its a great way to get an intro to wheeling. I wouldnt suggest those climbs on slaughterhouse for a first timer.

also im not sure what that gx has for tires on it, but make sure theyre adequate. and maybe suggest he get some sliders before anything. id hate to see a $100k+ rig get smashed up because of inexperience.

I retract my statement and back Dwight 100% on everything he said. It would suck to have to replace rocker panels. Bumpers are pretty easy to upgrade after damage. Switzerland will feed the bug while keeping down damage potential. That's not to say that distracted driving won't lead to tagging trees and whatnot, but Switzerland will limit the potential. My pops almost drove off the side of a shelf road in moab while I was letting him drive, all so he could take video with his phone. We had a stern discussion about that in that moment

 

[Lastresort576]

I retract my statement and back Dwight 100% on everything he said. It would suck to have to replace rocker panels. Bumpers are pretty easy to upgrade after damage. Switzerland will feed the bug while keeping down damage potential. That's not to say that distracted driving won't lead to tagging trees and whatnot, but Switzerland will limit the potential. My pops almost drove off the side of a shelf road in moab while I was letting him drive, all so he could take video with his phone. We had a stern discussion about that in that moment

you read my mind about the ease or replacing bumpers, but not rockers.

Another trail option i just thought of...but I cant personally confirm is pickle gulch. I havent been on it since before they bull dozed it, but from what ive heard its become a dirt road now. Might be worth checking out..its at least in a really nice area and decent drive to get there.

 

[Inukshuk]

Pawnee Grasslands.
Stoney Pass Road 560 up by Wellington Lake.

Pick from the Wells books?

 

[MATPHAT]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'd assumed that the 550 overtrail plus came with sliders, but I'll double check him before we commit. I was thinking Pickle Gulch and didn't know they'd done work there. I'll have to check it out. We'll probably do Switzerland to start. I don't want to scare him off.

 

[HoneyBadger]

I'd suggest waiting on Yankee hill until all the snow/ice is melted this spring. With no fresh snow, it's my understanding that it's turned into an ice skating rink/mud bog.

In the mean time, go try out Rainbow Falls. That's a fun area to mess around in. I doubt there's any snow at this point. There's nothing crazy about it unless you want there to be (Mini Moab Hill). There's enough to it though that it will be fun for stock trucks and having a good day in the woods.

After they get used to stuff like that, I'd suggest trying Mosquito Pass this summer. It's usually stock friendly, if you're paying attention and not being careless. That would be a great next step up.
Georgia Pass would be a good one to do as well once it opens for the season.
Boreas Pass is a great scenic drive with some hikes available at the top.
Weston Pass is also a fun easy drive.
You can combine Boreas or Georgia passes with Mosquito or Weston Pass for a full day of great scenic wheeling.

Weston and Mosquito put you over into Leadville. From Leadville you can take Hagerman Pass, which is another stock friendly road with a cool water crossing, over towards Aspen. Then from aspen you can go out Independence Pass and turn off on FSR 23.1 and go up towards Grizzly Lake. This is another beautiful area that's mostly stock friendly with some fun bits to it that a stock truck should be fine with.

If you'd like to go over to the Taylor Park Reservoir area, Cumberland Pass is a great one for stock trucks. Tin Cup Pass is also in that area. If you wind up in the Pitkin area, go up and see the Alpine Tunnel, however I would turn around there and go back to Pitkin as Hancock and Tomichi can be not stock friendly (Especially Hancock. Keep stock trucks far away from there).
From Pitkin there is a variable cornucopia of little backwoods trails that lead easterly towards Monarch Pass, including Old Monarch Pass Rd. This area is great in the fall for leaves.

In the Buena Vista/ Salida areas, there is Aspen Ridge. This road system travels North/South from one to the other, on the East Side of the Arkansas River. This area is usually very easy and is enjoyable in the fall when the leaves change.

In the Jefferson area there is the Lost Park Road system that spiderwebs out extensively, South, towards Tarryall Reservoir. There are many trails to explore on the East and West sides of CR 77.

On the East side of Kenosha Pass there is an extensive trail system that links CR 60 (the road to the Red Cone Trail Head) to CR 35 (the road to Georgia Pass).

There is an endless number of trails and back roads in all the above mentioned areas that I have yet to explore, or have explored and don't know the names of any more. Very few places in these areas require wildly built rigs...right up until they do. So use your best judgement and don't be afraid to turn around and save it for another day.
Even with the little bit of snow we've gotten in the high country this year, the North face slopes may still harbor deep drifts until the end of April , this year, but usually until mid May in normal years.
I hope this helps.