Expedition Colorado http://www.expeditioncolorado.com/forum en Sun, 05 Sep 2010 11:02:10 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.expeditioncolorado.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Expedition Colorado http://www.expeditioncolorado.com/forum Colorado Adventure 2010 http://www.expeditioncolorado.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181&goto=newpost Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:57:00 GMT *The Cochetopa Hills* August 25, 2010 Image: http://myxj.net/ADVENTRsmall.jpg Last Wednesday I headed out on my Colorado Adventure. While I...

The Cochetopa Hills

August 25, 2010




Last Wednesday I headed out on my Colorado Adventure. While I didn't make a set itinerary for the trip this year, there were a few areas that I wanted to explore further, and I tried to connect them into a big loop. From Grand Junction I headed south to Montrose and continued on US 50 towards Gunnison. After a quick side-trip on Blue Mesa and then topping off my gas tank in Gunnison I continued on to CO 114 and my first destination; The Cochetopa Hills. I had driven through this area quickly a few years ago when I took Los Pinos Pass over into the San Juans, and I was itching to get back and explore some more.

Pretty soon I had spotted a side road named Camp Kettle Gulch Road. I figured that it was a good time to get off the pavement and get the real trip started. I was greeted by some nice scenery.



Hardened lava along the road




I didn't consult a map before heading down this road, so I wasn't sure if I would be turning back around or finding another way out, but as luck would have it, this road ended up connecting to the Table Top Road and bringing me back to the highway right near the start of Los Pinos Pass.....and right where I wanted to be!

While making my way towards Los Pinos Pass, I passed a sign that I don't remember from my last trip down this road.



I love checking out historic routes, so I just had to follow this section of the Saguache - San Juan Toll Road constructed by Otto Mears and Enos T. Hotchkiss in 1874.

Much of it was in the trees.


Then I ran into a traffic jam. They were slow to get out of my way....


Two-tracking out of the trees


]]> South-Central Colorado Trip Reports IntrepidXJ http://www.expeditioncolorado.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181