I have decided this year that I wanted to go on an overlanding adventure, as the newest interest in my ever growing bag of mental stimuli it was a exciting and fun proposition. I started planning the trip back in May 2022, to spend about 10 days out in Colorado exploring, driving forest trails and overall just adventuring taking me where ever the road and desire leads.
As an avid believer in “the journey doesn’t start when you pull out of the driveway, but when in the conception of the idea”. Every step forward, every preparation or action thus becomes the journey, Making life one giant weave of experiences and “adventures”. Being my first overlanding trip I had to acquire a bit more then others more prepared. In hindsight I would say I could have done with less, which I would advise. Falling into the trap of “needing this” before I can go is something I all too often find myself stumbling into and descending down the endless pit of things to get.
For about a year and a half I have owned the Jeep Cherokee, and have really put it to the test. Beyond the mild winters and the occasional deep snows, it saw mainly highway and city streets. I made a plan to put the vehicle to use, and for the reason it was bought. Overlanding and adventuring, and disperse camping. I wanted to go out to Colorado for a while, limiting preparation only to things that may be needed. I did not plan camping locations, or where to shower, nor what really food would be cooked. Beyond what equipment was needed I left the planning for the road.
I left work early that day, stocking up on chicken, some veggies, hamburger and hot dogs. I packed up the vehicle with the equipment and started to head out. I was so adamant about the spontaneity and using creativity and ingenuity on the road, I actually forgot some things that would have made life easier. That was for the birds, the trip was about making due and figuring it out along the way.
Leaving a bit later then planned had the aura that this trip warranted, as later I would discover. The first leg from Missouri into Kansas was uneventful and had some quality time with Podcasts and Audio books. The late start would quickly turn into a challenge as I progressed forward. In the jeep there was too much just randomly laying around and extra space on the roof rack for items but didn’t have more boxes to store my stuff in. I ended up stopping at a bass pro for in order to get more storage.
Back on the highway, the time passed fairly quickly as I drove through Kansas as excitement for the unknown lingered. Darkness, kissed the horizon behind me and the twilight was setting in the distance. Clouds formed far off, and lighting was seen for miles. I needed to check the radar and weather map, if this was coming for me I needed to understand how bad. Kansas weather can be quick and powerful and the last thing I wanted to do was get stuck in a tornado or hail storm.
The radar proved that the storm was going to cross my path, with 60 mph winds, potential hail and rain. It was about 15 miles from me and I was about 10 miles from the safety of a rest stop. The weather moves quick in Kansas and it was visible we were crossing paths before the rest stop. I could see the wind picking up and the road signs begin shaken violently. I didn’t realize how bad until I almost got blown off the road, reducing the speed to ~30 mph was the saving grace and prolonged my stay in the embrace of the storm. Semis were going even slower, and passing them was a scary thought, at any moment a gust of wind could send them laying on top of me.
After about 20 minutes I made it to the rest stop, where I crawled to the back and started making room for me to hunker down and sleep the night. Thankfully, the box with the other supplies on top allowed me enough room to sleep ok. It was not luxurious or comfortable, but it did the job. The next morning the sky was beautiful, a painting by the hand of god and the journey continued.
In Colorado
The two main rules, I had for this trip were
1) no hotels/motels, etc.
2) No Planning more than a day in advance.
With a third one that was later broken, No restaurants. A donut while getting gas was not considered real food much less a restaurant so those were ignored. It started looking at onX and GaiaGPS to see what national forests and roads were around so I can find a place to camp. Finding a road outside the Garden of the Gods, I proceeded to journey down the road and make my way maybe 15 miles down the road into the mountains where camp was finally claimed. Speaking to where the journey takes you, the view of the mountains were beautiful.
I stayed there and in the morning, started planning my trip for the day. Thankfully I had service enough to download more maps and decided to go down to cripple creek. Packing up and setting off I journeyed down there, avoided all instincts to try my hand at the casinos and make my way down Phantom Canyon road and shelf road. Getting in more overlanding action and staying off the main roads where I could.
Ending up in Canyon city I decided I want to go up toward Salida, which was a few hours away. The weather started raining again and I hadn’t picked a clear campsite on the map yet and it was already 4pm. So with the spotty service and the declining weather I decided to find a paid campsite where I could shower and rest. The Sugarbush campground was nice, it was a quite location with friendly people and even a place to wash camp dishes. Registering and setting up camp again I made dinner and started planning for the next leg of the journey. I wanted to go down Marshall road, and hike to the top of Mount Ouray. I planned the route, the timing and potential campsites, when I got to the weather though things changed. They were calling for lighting and thunderstorms on the mountain and around it. The window of opportunity was going to be really really close and I am not in shape like I was when I was 20. A 3 hour summit might be 4 or 5, and I wasn’t getting to the road till mid morning. Making my descent in the middle of the forecasted thunderstorm.
I decided I would make up my mind the next day after sleeping on it, and as I woke and started breaking down camp I decided I would make the almost 4 hour journey to Grand Lake and Arapaho national park. This is right outside the Rocky Mountain national park and I would make my way into that at some point. Driving through Buena vista and route 9, it was very beautiful. The drive went by as quick as it could because of the scenery and beautiful weather. Making me realize how dynamic and changing the weather is in Colorado. The mountains really add a component to the environment that makes climate somewhat harder to predict and where you are can be different than a mile down the road.
Once in Grand, Colorado, I ventured through trails in the Arapaho National forest. In 2020, or there abouts it faced wildfires and much of it was burned. Which allowed for some beautiful scenery but also eerie tranquility. It opened my eyes to the effects of wildfires and why they should be taken serious to prevent. That area that was burnt would take 5 to 10 more years to recover to ~60% of what it was. Meaning people would not be able to enjoy it like it was for about 20 years. It was still enjoyable though, I took old roads and trails looking for camp sites and finding some places that were nice. It was isolated and calming. I proceeded to adventure around the area more and later in the day came back to a site and setup camp for the night.
The next day, I broke rule number 3, I had a quesadilla that made me wish I didn’t break rule number 3 for it. It wasn’t that good and the name of the place will be saved from the critique and the internet. However, after the unsatisfying lunch the adventure continued into the Rocky Mountain National Park, only to be delayed.
Grand lake is tucked under / to the left of Rocky mountain national park, you either take the mountain road through the park to get there, or you spend another 3 hours going around it. Personally if you are ok with high elevations, steep drop offs and beautiful scenery. Spend the money, ($35 for 7 day pass) and support the park, it is worth it. I ended up buying a pass but couldn’t use it yet, as from 9am to 3pm you have to have a reserved entry. This was awesome, I wasnt even mad because this allows everyone to enjoy the park equally well. If you got there before 9am you can get in, or after 3pm, but between 9 and 3 you needed a time slot.
So I looped back and started driving trails, this time the north Supply road. curving up through the mountains near the RMNP, it offered beautiful views of Grand Lake and the surrounding area. It took most of the day to explore the area and near 1 I decided to head back and grab food and wait for 3pm. Breaking rule 3 again, I avoided the place from earlier and went to a sports bar that ended up being a Mexican restaurant. I chilled there and got a good quesadilla, as my needs were not met yet and waited till about 3.
The rocky mountain national park is beautiful, it leads you to Estes park when coming from Grand. The drive is memorable and should be taken slow. Not only because of the speed limit and the high drop offs, but to savor the view and experience.
Over the next few days, I camped south of Estes park. Remember to book your campground early if you want to camp IN the park, otherwise you will need to find one of the few first come first serve (self serve) campgrounds or disperse camp in one of the fewer areas around Estes park since dispersed camping is limited to permits and reservations inside Rocky Mountain national park.
Bad weather started to encroach the area, and even though at this point I secured several days at a campsite I was wanting a change up and not having to really keep moving or figuring things out on the fly. I packed up and start the journey for boulder Colorado, and went down to Pueblo Colorado via Denver and Colorado Springs. Late morning I began the trip back home, and after a very long drive ended up back home around 1am, exhausted and ready for my bed.
Overall, I enjoyed this trip greatly and currently am planning several more over the next 6 to 8 months to different areas of the country. It was eye opening, and rewarding on many levels.
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