Medano Pass Intel Request

[fyffer]

I have a nice site that we camp at frequently up there. I have no idea if it will be open but we’ve had good luck!



Send me a DM.

Shows as County Road 565, county being Huerfano in this case if you wanted to contact the county engineer to ask.


If the closure is actually at your 'X' then this is the parcel. Those roads are accessing properties. The orange is BLM and the purple State Land Trust. Everything else is private.




Sometimes gates are put up regardless if they're supposed to be there. There was a Federal suit recently that Garfield County won to remove a private, locked gate put up by the High Lonesome Ranch (on their property) that blocked a dual listed county/BLM road. Complete different part of the state, just using as an example that what's on a map, even a Federal MVUM or topo, may not be what's actually happening on the ground. Could be a dispute, someone trying to stop illegal camping. The decision in favor of Garfield County is generally positive in terms of the power for a county to prevent rogue gate placement, if that is the case here.

Court ruling opens door to 50,000 acres of federal land after nine-year fight

After nine years of litigation, a legal battle between Garfield County and The High Lonesome Ranch over public access to a county road crossing the ranch’s private property has concluded, opening up more than 50,000...

www.postindependent.com

Know that area a little bit, there is a small place up Hudson Ditch, pretty remote and shady, never seen anyone/tracks there. A small stream and a Tipi type hut across from it (hunting shelter I think) at the very end of the Trail. A Shaded area, no signal whatsoever, but quite a bit of wildlife, lol. Debated whether to share or not, but here it is. Otherwise CS 5.1 is my fav. Note: You will NOT turn around with a Camper on that trail.

 

[Cruisertrash]

Know that area a little bit, there is a small place up Hudson Ditch, pretty remote and shady, never seen anyone/tracks there. A small stream and a Tipi type hut across from it (hunting shelter I think) at the very end of the Trail. A Shaded area, no signal whatsoever, but quite a bit of wildlife, lol. Debated whether to share or not, but here it is. Otherwise CS 5.1 is my fav. Note: You will NOT turn around with a Camper on that trail.

That’s the road that goes north from the pass right? Like where the info placard and orange gate are, the road that splits off from there?

 

[fyffer]

Yep, that's it, another one Muddy Creek heading up just prior to it believe thats were a PIC's from, a little prior to that. More open and good reception. Lot's of fire rings that area and also really cool.

 

[KCJAZ]

Actual trip report update: We had an awesome experience on Medano Pass. We headed out of Walsenburg around 8:30 or so and and got to the trail head and headed toward the Dunes. Lots of camp site options. We found at pretty great spot just a little bit into the preserve and pitched out tent to claim the spot.


Pics never do justice. Site was by a stream and secluded. Area for tent and fire pit
behind the rear of the cruiser.



Went old school with actual wood fire for cooking and pork and beans cooked in the can. Though I did use the electric induction burner for eggs in the morning.

We are in Silverton now Overlanding our way here. Creede and Stony Pass were awesome. Scouted many awesome camp sites and stores and stayed in a couple. Pleanty of decent sites open.

In Creede we decided to do the Phoenix Park Water Fall. onX sate it was “moderate”. Maybe there was a day in the past where that was true but it was pretty spicy in parts. Pretty technical rock crawling with water fall hazard. I failed to get pics because I was so focused on getting the trail. Really fun but I’m not sure it was the best decision for a solo run. Lost a wheel hub cover but other than that it was a blast. We made it so I guess that means it was a good decision.

Thanks to all for advice and intel. Very useful and not helped us make a great trip. The best part is we still have all of COTR to do this week!

 

[Crash]

Very cool that you scored a spot by the creek in the Preserve. Were there many folks at the Castle Creek picnic area as you drove through? Vegetation looks to be growing back nicely after the fire some time ago affording some privacy. What days of the week were you there?

 

[KCJAZ]

Very cool that you scored a spot by the creek in the Preserve. Were there many folks at the Castle Creek picnic area as you drove through? Vegetation looks to be growing back nicely after the fire some time ago affording some privacy. What days of the week were you there?

It didn’t seem busy at all. There were plenty of camp sites available in the preserve. The Camp Ground in the park was full though and the visitors center was a zoo (we skipped that).

 

[Cruisertrash]

Just FYI, I thought all of the dispersed sites on Medano Pass that are within the Natl Park were reservation only. I might be wrong.

 

[Crash]

Just FYI, I thought all of the dispersed sites on Medano Pass that are within the Natl Park were reservation only. I might be wrong.

All sites inside the Park are reservation but as soon as you drive into the Reserve from the Dunes side it's all first come first serve. When you turn east from the Dunes you go through some fencing without a gate and that denotes the Reserve to the east.

 

[RayRay27]

Saw on 9News that a heavy rain storm just rolled through the sand dunes area closing Medano primitive road from flooding.

Flash flooding has closed Medano Pass Primitive Road at Great Sand Dunes National Park due to thunderstorm damage.

https://www.9news.com/mobile/article/weather/weather-impact/great-sand-dunes-flash-flooding-roads-closed/73-4c083611-d9f9-4599-b171-c4402e2659b0

@KCJAZ Good timing that you went last week as opposed to this week.

 

[Crash]

Saw on 9News that a heavy rain storm just rolled through the sand dunes area closing Medano primitive road from flooding.

Flash flooding has closed Medano Pass Primitive Road at Great Sand Dunes National Park due to thunderstorm damage.

https://www.9news.com/mobile/article/weather/weather-impact/great-sand-dunes-flash-flooding-roads-closed/73-4c083611-d9f9-4599-b171-c4402e2659b0

@KCJAZ Good timing that you went last week as opposed to this week.

Picture of the sandy road section north of the Castle Creek picnic area looks pretty gnarly.

 

[FJCDan]

Saw that last night too, what a mess.

 

[pmccumber]

I wonder how Huerfano creek drainage did? That thing is narrow and really close to Medano.

It rained steady for 8 hours here in Creede. And about half of that was heavy. Definitely the most I’ve seen here in a while.

Yesterday it rained for 3-4 hours but much lighter.

Should really help with the dry conditions.