Small Home – Big Yard

We’ve escaped the record breaking 100 degree heat of the Colorado front-range to enjoy the cooler temps at nearly 10,000 feet. Departing about 2pm, we make a quick stop at the city park in Buena Vista to fill our water tank before arriving at the campground around 4pm. This is our 3rd visit to Collegiate Peaks, and this weekend we’re in sites #8 and 10. These sites are along the main road, and beyond the turnoffs to the upper and lower loops. Both back-in sites are angled for departing traffic, so big rigs will find it’s easiest to continue to the end-of-road loop and approach these sites from the other direction. Most of these sites along the left side of the main road are creek side making for very deep and private sites.

After leveling the campers while friends set-up tents, we’re off on a quick walk around the campsite to see our neighbors and scout other sites. On what may be the original campground loop, sites J and K offer great privacy and creek access. Both sites are back-in, with J appearing to be long enough for bigger rigs.

Site J, Collegiate Peaks

Site K, Collegiate peaks

On our visit last year, we’d become aquatinted with the campground host, a retired gentleman with a self-professed “allergy to snow”. But, his large fifth-wheel and super duty truck aren’t in the host site this year. Evidently he’s decided to move to warmer, or maybe lower campgrounds.

We spend about 2 hours on Saturday hiking up the creek, along the beaver ponds and onto a jeep trail. On Sunday a couple friends explore the jeep trail further finding that it ends at an old mining camp. After having breakfast and packing up, we head back to the lower elevations and warmer temps.

In a long planned weekend camping trip, we’re at Meadow Ridge federal campground just NW of Woodland Park, CO.  This is a smaller campground with only about 20 sites around a single loop.  The sites are nicely spaced and an abundance of long needle pine and aspen trees provide good privacy for most.  We’re in site #10, a very level asphalt pad about 25 feet deep.  The pad is elevated and enclosed on one side and the back with a fence which could prove troublesome to larger rigs.  At the rear of the pad are 6 or 7 steps leading down to a gravel picnic table and fire pit area.  Our friends are next to us in site #9 that has only 3 steps down to the picnic table & fire pit area.  Without the safety fence this site is more “big-rig” friendly.  Their F-150 pickup and 27 foot Kodiak camp trailer just fit on the pad.

Having called the forest service yesterday, we confirmed that campfires would be allowed and potable water was available.  Upon arrival and after checking in with the campground host, we inquire as to the location of water.  She tells us there is no water available.  They have water at the pump, but they have not tested the water or the distribution system this year.   So, we drop off the bikes and some camp gear and make the trip back toward Woodland Park.  It’s a fairly short trip, probably only about 12 miles each way.  However, about 4 or 5 miles is on a rough, dusty, dirt road. Arriving back at our site about an hour later, we’re ready for some cold beverages and relaxing.

On Saturday we bike over to Thunder Ridge campground, just down the road from Meadow Ridge. Campsites #12  & #13 offer great privacy and views of the Rampart Reservoir.  Returning to camp, we explore the area a bit more on a hike down to the reservoir on a steep, short trail.  On Sunday we enjoy breakfast, pack up and head home.

EDITORS NOTE:  On Saturday, June 23^rd, the Waldo Canyon fire started between Manitou Springs and Woodland Park.  By Wednesday, after burning nearly 18,000 acres it appears that the campgrounds of Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge have both been consumed by the fire.

We’ve spent the Memorial Day weekend camping on the shores of Lake Dillon. The Peak One campground is on the Frisco peninsula just beyond the Frisco marina. It’s about a 20 minute bike ride down smooth bike paths or about a 30 minute ride around the lakeshore hiking trail to Frisco’s Main Street. Peak One has 79 sites, and during summer months offers running water and flush toilet facilities. For this early weekend, the water has been shutoff due to several leaks in the system.

Site #70, Peak One

Our site #70 is at the end of C loop only a few feet from the shore of Lake Dillon. The site has quite a few trees, considering the effect the pine beetle has had all over Summit Country. The entire hillside to the south of us is nearly cleared of the former heavy pine forest. And, many of the sites in the B loop have no trees at all. Between our site and #71 (which is blocked with the temporary porta-potty) is a trail that leads east to the water’s edge before doubling back and running the full length of the lake nearly to the marina. Just before reaching Highway 9, the trail ends in a residential area where it’s easy to access on the Breckenridge/Frisco bike path. Closer to site #69 is another trail that leads across to the Pine Cove “campground”. The use of “campground” for this facility is questionable – it’s really just the old parking lot that was used when the boat ramp was opened. Closed due to Denver Water invasive species regulations, the long narrow parking lot has been renumbered for camping use – about 10 RV sites and 6 tent sites.

The next closest campground is Heaton Bay, located along the Dam Road, and very close to I-70. This 83 site area is organized around 4 loops, with the “C” loop providing electric and water hookups. We filled our RV water tank here. On the opposite side of the lake, along Swan Mountain road is Lowry campground. This 24 site area provides vault toilets, electric hookups at sites 2-24 and no water. Lowry has been ravaged by the pine beetle which has eliminated nearly all vegetation and privacy in this ‘rock-pile’ campground. Also along Swan Mountain road is Prospector campground, offering 107 sites, water and vault toilets. Organized around 5 loops, the “D” loop provides a few outer campsites with trees and views of Lake Dillon. Pull through sites #55 and 58 and back-in sites #53 and #62 would be best here.

For trees and privacy, Peak One is best, followed by Heaton Bay (which may have I-70 noise) and then Prospector. All of these Lake Dillon campgrounds need renovations in their water systems, roads and out buildings. Unless you specifically want to be close to Frisco, Dillon, Breckenridge, Silverthorne or Keystone, there are much better camping options in the Colorado high country.

Pine Cove ‘parking lot’ Camping

Lowry Campground

Lowry Campground

Site #53, Prospector Campground

Site #64, Prospector Campground

Spanish Peaks

After exploring a bit of the northern New Mexico area, we’ve returned to Colorado.  Following what was an alternate route from the historic Santa Fe Trail, we’ve traveled along the eastern bank of the Rio Grande and crossed La Veta pass on the Taos Trail.  A major landmark on both trails were the Spanish Peaks.  These two (13,000+) mountains are visible from as far away as Colorado Springs to the north, Alamosa to the west and Raton, NM to the south.  Early Ute Indian settlements called the mountains Huajatolla (pronounced Wa-ha-toy-a), meaning “two breasts” or “Breasts of the Earth” for the clouds and life giving rain that came from the mountains.  

In the valley below Spanish Peaks is Lathrup State Park, the oldest state park in the Colorado system.  Two small lakes at Lathrup (Martin and Horseshoe) make the perfect backdrop to 4 campsite loops.  With over 100 sites ranging from primitive tent sites up to 50amp “Big Rig” sites, there are plenty of great private,  sunny sites. 

Site #84 Lathrup State Park

We’re parked in site #84, on the D loop.  This outer site is a long, nearly level pull-thru site.  The RV sites all offer electric hook-ups, but water taps are scattered throughout the park.  Some sites are close enough that you could stretch a hose across for water, but you might get a warning from a park ranger to “share” the water.  Each loop has a handicap accessible campsite or two and modern, clean shower facilities.  There is also a dump station on the main road into the campgrounds. 

Site #84 Lathrup State Park

Apparently no over-the-air TV signals make their way from Walsenburg, but the cellular coverage on both T-Mobile and Verizon was full bar-2G.  It’s very quiet in the park this Sunday afternoon, we have only one other neighbor on the D loop.  After wandering through the park, enjoying a tasty dinner and some (downloaded) TV, we’ll plan to head home tomorrow morning.  It’s been a fun “New Mexico Loop” trip.

Greetings from Ojo Caliente (literally translated means “warm eye”, but more commonly known as “hot springs”) New Mexico. 

Cimarron Canyon State Park

Yesterday’s trip from Sugarite Canyon to Ojo Caliente took us through some beautiful country including Cimarron, Eagle’s Nest, Taos and across the arid Taos Plateau sliced in half by the Rio Grande Gorge.  We crossed over the Rio Grande on an impressive bridge 650 feet above the river, making it the 5^th highest in the nation.  The 1^st is the Royal Gorge Bridge in southern Colorado, 1053 feet over the Arkansas river.  Between Cimarron and Eagle’s Nest, there were a number of federal and state campgrounds that would be worth further investigation.  One that looks most promising is Maverick Campground, located within Cimarron Canyon, a New Mexico state reservation area.

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa

Continuing west, we arrived at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa located about 50 miles north of Santa Fe along highway 285.  The complex is much larger than we expected and dates back to the earliest human settlements in the region.  Ancient people build large pueblos and terraced gardens that overlooked the springs and named the area Posi, “village at the place of the green bubbling hot springs”. Spaniards exploring the region and questing for the Fountain of Youth renamed the area to Ojo Caliente in the 1500’s.  Even Zebulon Pike (of Pike’s Peak fame) wrote about the hot springs as he was marched to Santa Fe to stand trial for exploring New Spain without permission.  In 1868 the a natural heath spa in Ojo was one of the first in the country.  Since that time the historic buildings have been restored and maintained and many new buildings added to the complex. 

Site #1 Ojo Caliente

The RV campground is located along the river, and appears to be either a ignored asset or a work-in-progress.  There are 30 sites, ranging from very tight, side-by-side arrangements to those that offer a bit more privacy with tree and shrub coverage.  Most have electric and water hookups and a movable picnic table.  Campfires are strictly forbidden in this overgrown cottonwood grove.  Other facilities (restrooms, showers, etc.) are provided in the main spa areas a couple hundred feet down the main access road.  There are also two fairly clean porta-potties, one on each end of the campground, available for after hour use.  Somewhere (we haven’t located it yet) is a dump station. We’re parked in site #1, closest to the main spa complex and can detect the weak WiFi signal provided in the main hotel and restaurant.  When able to connect, this free WiFi seems fairly fast. Cellular service is good on both T-Mobile and Verizon networks – but internet speed is fairly slow on the 2G network.  There is no through-the-air TV service.  We hope they continue to maintain/upgrade these RV facilities, they offer a great location and the benefits of the use of the spa facilities.  The electric/water sites are $20 (plus tax) nightly.  Spa pricing is $30 for all-day access on a weekend and $18 during the week. 

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Rio Grande Gorge