Taking an ATV or off-road vehicle deep into the wilderness can be an enlivening experience, and there's nowhere better than near Rocky Mountain National Park. As you get off the beaten path for some real outdoors fun, you'll discover that the Rocky Mountains hold miles of fascinating trails.
Although no ATVs are allowed within the confines of Rocky Mountain National Park, there are plenty of trails all around the park that you can ride to take in the scenery and the forested hills and valleys.
Estes Park, CO
Only one and a half hours outside of Denver, and right on the edge of the National Park is Estes Park, a virtual paradise for the off-road lover. The Roosevelt National Forest is minutes away and holds excitement for an ATV adventure. My favorite part of this area is that you can venture deep into the woods, away from the crowds.
Estes Park, Colorado has plenty of ATV rentals in case you don't have your own. And the kids can rent the smaller ATVs so they can drive their own. A simple place to start is Johnny Park Road. Part of this trail is great for beginners. Spend a wonderful 1.5 hours exploring side roads. Of course other parts are more difficult, and you may come upon some rock ledges to navigate. High-clearance four-wheel-drives can also make it on this trail.
The Pierson Park Road is for the intermediate rider. It runs parallel to Highway 7 from Estes Park. This scenic road takes you into some rough terrain, and gets fairly steep in places. It's eight miles of some thrilling riding.
Another intermediate challenge is Pole Hill, a short drive from Estes Park. Great views await you here with no big obstacles. You'll find a variety of terrain. There's limited parking at the start of the trail, so be sure to get there early.
If you like to stop occasionally and take in the incredible vistas, you'll love Storm Mountain. East of Galuchie Meadow, you'll find a network of roads through the forested landscape.
With only one really rough spot, beginners will do well here.
Grand Lake, CO
Only 46 miles from Estes Park is another gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, Colorado. You won't have any trouble finding ATV rentals here, as this is a most popular sport in this area. Take Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park. It's on the west side of the park.
The national forest lands surround you and provide plenty of opportunity to ride to your heart's content. Hundreds of miles of beauty and adventure! If you want to really make a day of it, sign up for a guided tour and learn to explore the right way.
North Supply Creek could end up on the top of your list, as it is on mine. They have separate trails just for the ATVs and dirt bikes, which makes it nice. You get about 11 miles of riding with different options as to skill and aptitude.
Want to take a relaxing drive with lake and mountain views? Try Stillwater Pass for the best ride with a well-graded trail for the most part.
It climbs up and up – to over 10,600 feet.
Allenspark, CO
Allenspark is on the southeastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. From Estes Park, you head south on Highway 7. There is easy access for all sorts of ATV trails here, and for any level of skill.
I highly recommend taking a ride through the aspens and pine tree forests outside of Allenspark. If you are a beginner, start with the Bunce School trail. This is a simple five-mile drive, including some sightseeing. You can stop and check out the old Bunce School, a historic nineteenth-century schoolhouse.
If you like to do some stream crossings for added adventure, you can take the Middle St. Vrain trail from Camp Dick (Highway 72 through Peaceful Valley). When you reach the end, you'll find great places to hike and some fishing spots where you can throw in a line.
With so many lovely National Forests surrounding, you're sure to find the ATV experience you desire near Rocky Mountain National Park.
How do I plan a trip?
This is the most fun and popular area to ride, located 18 miles South of Estes Park. The ATV trails range from easy to extreme. There is something fun for every skill level. This trail gives you everything you are looking for in Colorado. One of the main attractions is a Plane Crash. It was a T-33 military jet and the Air Force left everything at the site. Please note the crash is around 9000 feet high. For this reason, it’s not until late May, when the snow melts, that we will have access to the site. Also, we have the beautiful hidden Pony ponds where the local moose like to hang out. All equipment can run on this trail.
Check Out Rates.
Middle Saint Vrain trail, that takes you up to beautiful views of the continental divide, Beaver Reservoir and sub alpine views.
This 20-mile trail hosts moderate to difficult terrain and mountain river crossings. The views are just breath taking so bring your phone and take plenty of pictures. Pack a lunch because a full day ride is required to see this trail. The trail opens in late June to early July but it’s worth the wait to enjoy this trail. NO JEEPS ON THIS TRAIL. Check Out Rates.
This is one of my favorite places to go with Razors. I suggest it all the time for our Razor customers. The main Switzerland trail goes for many miles and is easy to drive. There are several trails that come off the main trail that range from moderate to extreme. This trail will take you by beautiful Gold Lake, the living ghost town of Sunset. The fall views will leave you star struck. Check Out Rates.
Time — Full day worth of riding
Open — Year round
Just outside Estes Park, this road is a must see in one of our Jeeps, cars or endure bikes. The road will give you spectacular view of Rocky Mountain National Park and will take you to the Alpine Visitor’s center at over 12,000 feet.
It’s a one-way dirt road for licensed vehicles (no ATV’s or UTV’s allowed). Most people like to cruise and stop along the way to see the waterfalls, bighorn sheep, moose, deer and elk. Fall season will give you views of the Aspen changing. This is a must do if you are visiting Estes. Check Out Rates.
Time — Half day
Open — July 1st – Until it snows.
Pole Hill
Located just outside of the city, this trail system features beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains in addition to a clear picture of downtown Estes Park. It’s important to note that the initial 500-foot section of this 8.4 miles loop is the most challenging part, with easier trails afterward to allow you to focus on the wildlife and scenic views. Sit back and relax as you tackle the trails with this loop, gaining 1,679 feet of elevation while overlooking the valley. Check Out Rates.
Time — Half day worth of riding
Open — June 7th – Dec 1st
Johnny Park
This 5.5 miles trail with off-shoots features Jeep trails that vary in difficulty, with one seriously challenging spot that drivers can go around.
Johnny Park is typically not busy and will offer a wide range of beautiful views and challenging tracks. Check Out Rates.
Time — Half day worth of riding
Open — June 7th – Dec 1st
If you're the type of traveler who loves adventure, especially heartbreaking thrills, Colorado is one of the top vacation destinations. Rocky Mountain State offers a wide range of recreational activities, including unique options and plenty of adrenaline-filled activities.
There are even a few that you didn't even know existed. From ice climbing to quads, skydiving and even alligator wrestling, the list to choose from is long.
Ice Climbing Ouray Ice Park
Ouray Ice Climbing Competition Annual Ice Festival
Ice climbing is one of the most unique sports in the world that most people never experience. Driving on your own is not only difficult, but the equipment is expensive, and the waterfalls are slightly frozen and far apart. If you visit Ouray in southwest Colorado, you can experience it at Ouray Ice Park, a man-made ice climbing site that sits in a gorgeous gorge within walking distance of the city. It features 200 ice and mixed lifts, most of which are only a 15-minute walk from the entrance. During the annual Ouray Ice Climbing Festival, you will not only get a guide, but also cheap equipment rentals.
Sandboarding, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Snowboarding in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
If you've always wanted to stand in the middle of the Sahara or any from the great sandy deserts of the world, you don't have to spend hours flying because Colorado also offers that experience.
Nestled between the San Juan Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Desert, Great Sand Dunes National Park has the highest dunes in the country, which soar to over 700 feet, offering both snowboarding and sledding.
Royal Gorge Zip Line
Royal Gorge Zipline Tours
Royal Gorge is famous for its highest bridge in the entire country. Not only can you feel your heart beating as you look down, you can also zip through the canyon and partake in other thrills. Zipline tours, including the world's first "free-flight" belay system, with a total of 20 ziplines, from classic to extreme, that cover over three miles. Although the classic course is the most popular, adrenaline junkies will not want to miss the Extreme Zip Line course, which is considered one of the fastest on the continent.
If skydiving is on your list, or if you want to experience the Mile-Hi Skydive Center in Longmont, just half an hour north of Denver, this is a great way to do it.
Just imagine how the wind feels on your skin as you soar through the radiant blue skies that Colorado is famous for at 18,000 feet above sea level, taking in a bird's eye view of the magnificent Rocky Mountain foothills to the west and the towering, rugged peaks. outside of it. It's the largest skydiving facility in the state, and if you've never tried it before, you can do a tandem jump, which involves pairing with an instructor while flying through the sky.
Alligator Fighting
Colorado Gators Reptile Park
It takes a certain type of person to want to get into a hole and fight an alligator. If this is you, you don't have to go to the swamps of Louisiana. Instead, visit the Colorado Gators Reptile Park in downtown Colorado, near the city of Mosca, just west of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is the place to test your alligator wrestling skills - of course you will receive instructions on how to handle two to eight foot long alligators.
Reptile enthusiasts can also take a lesson by focusing on how to properly handle an assortment of other reptiles.
Paragliding, boulder
Paragliding
In this state, there are many opportunities to fly through the sky - one of them is paragliding offered by Peak Paragliding in Boulder. If you plan to stay here for a while, the establishment offers lessons so you can learn paragliding anywhere in the world. While in Boulder, you will be introduced to the safety of paragliding, the basics of equipment, and how to pilot a glider. It also offers one of the only programs in the region where students can travel together while enjoying paragliding in exotic locations.
Glenwood Springs, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is home to the only mountaintop theme park in the United States.
It offers indoor and outdoor activities, including some thrills. Others include an alpine slide, a haunted mine, a Cliffhanger roller coaster and the Giant Canyon Swing. The swing launches passengers through Glenwood Canyon, 1,300 feet above the Colorado River, at speeds up to 50 miles per hour. If you are brave enough to open your eyes at this height, you will be able to see breathtaking views of Glenwood Springs and the canyon.
Four-Wheeling
Four-Wheeling, Colorado
Thousands of miles of off-road trails are open to off-road vehicles such as ATVs, 4x4s and motorcycles at Colorado , offering plenty for thrill seekers. At Lizard Pass near Telluride, ride for amazing views of the San Juan Mountains. West of Fort Collins at the Red Feather Lakes, there are over 100 miles of double track ATV trails in the Roosevelt National Forest. In western Colorado near Grand Junction, the Grand Mesa trails provide miles and miles of trails for all skill levels, including more advanced passing sparkling lakes, lush grasslands and dense forests.
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater Rafting
Colorado is home to countless rivers that provide exhilarating water rafting. To solve one of the most difficult tasks, go to the southwestern region of the state. The upper Animas River is known for its Class IV and V rapids, while the lower Animas River often includes other excursions such as a zipline tour and a ride on the famous Durango and Silverton Railroad. The Arkansas River, which cuts through the central canyons of Colorado and drops 5,000 feet in its first 125 miles, is one of America's most popular rafting rivers, flowing from places like Buena Vista, Salida, and Canon City.
Click on pictures to enlarge
Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen clean everything they have. The field was incredibly weak in the early rounds but became tight for the final 42 second races.
Photo: Garth Milan / Red Bull Content
450 class:
1. James Stewart .. Suz
2. Ken Roczen ... Suz
3. Ryan Dungey ... KTM
4. Justin Brighton… KTM
Class 250
1. Malcolm Stewart…Rt Hon
2. Shane McElrath…KTM
3. Jordon Smith…KTM
4. Jessie Nelson…KTM
Oct 12 9014…Dan Alamangos October 12 ... Cody Cooper 1983
October 13 ... Greg Albertyn 1972
October 13 ... Mike Shield
October 14 ... Todd Lenz
October 14 ... Ron Joint
. October 15. Matt Walker 1981
Oct 15…Jimmy Decotis 1991
Last month, the organizers canceled the annual Elsinore Grand Prix due to drought. The race has now been rescheduled for November 7-8 at the Motorsport Park on Lake Elsinore. The course won't be as big as when it was based in a baseball stadium to be watered with purified water.
Admission is $90 until November 1st and $120 after. Go to www.lakeelsinoregp.com for information.
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
Oct 17…Jimboomba, QLD
Oct 31…Wayville, SA
Nov 21…Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Nov 28…Homebush, NSW
Dec 5…Sun Vic
Day in 2015 mud will take place at Glen Helen Raceway on November 27, 28 and 29. For more information, visit www.dayinthedirt.com
Everyone has heard how Volkswagen falsified emissions reports on their diesel vehicles and how it led to the resignation of their CEO (not to mention their share price drop). But it wasn't a good time for Volkswagen and on the Suzuki front. Volkswagen Lost Long Battle With Suzuki Over VW 19 Ownership.9% stake in Suzuki. Suzuki and Volkswagen formed a joint partnership years ago, but Suzuki froze and terminated the deal in 2011. Volkswagen refused to sell the shares back, and the case was referred to the London Court of International Arbitration.
Verdict? Volkswagen will have to sell a 19.9% stake in Suzuki. The arbitration award allows Suzuki to buy back its shares from VW for approximately $3.8 billion. In what turns out to be not such a bad deal, VW paid just $1.9 billion per share. The court also ruled that Suzuki also violated the partnership agreement with Volkswagen, so they could face financial penalties in the future. Also in the future is the fate of the 1.5% Volkswagen that Suzuki received in the original deal.
Three-time AMA 250 national champion Tony D was cleaning out his basement this week and found these two old business cards from 1975. Tony and Jody traveled together in the AMA Nationals, Trans-AMAs and Supercrosses in the 1970s, but in an era before cell phones and iPads, they traded business cards to keep the phone numbers they pasted into the Rolodex files. My times have changed.
Matt Moss delivered to Suzuki from Australia. Photo: Motul
At the end of the 2015 Australian Supercross Championship, Suzuki Australia will complete factory motocross with the support of Motul Suzuki.
Suzuki says its strategic direction going forward is to strengthen its focus on customer-focused marketing programs across its full range of motorcycle and ATV products. Over the past 19 years, the Suzuki team has won 4 Australian Motocross Championships and 6 Supercross. Current team riders Matt Moss and Cale McHam will be supported in the Australian Supercross Series.
Dear MXA,
I saw on the Internet a conversation about devices for creating holes, and they had everything from Alexander Graham Bell to Chesta Reed, which invented a device with holes. Who really came up with this?
The Yamaha 01GEN Concept has two front wheels and one belt driven rear wheel. Yamaha calls it an "On & Off crossover" because it can be ridden on both pavement and dirt.
It's more compact as each front wheel leans into corners, resting on its own fork and covered in weird double lobster-like front fenders.
Yamaha's design department specializes in tricycles, as proven by last year's Tricity scooter.
Last week a photo of Aussie Chris Alamangos leaving a Suzuki TM125 at a vintage race was such a rage that we found this photo of Chris on a Yamaha 1974 years old. Pay attention to the position of the tongue, this is one of the secrets of Chris's speed. Photo: Dan Alamangos
Casting long shadows in the morning sun, the MXA squadron with 450cc test bikes lines up and waits for test riders. We tested these six bikes for several months in preparation for the 2016 MXA Shootout 450.
In 1980, the Kawasaki team consisted of Jim Weinert, Brad Lackey, Gaylon Mosier, Jeff Ward, Warren Reid, Larry Vosik and Chappy Blossom.
If you subscribed to MXA, the November 2015 issue would be in your inbox right now.
It's full of good stuff. In addition, subscribers receive a $25 Rocky Mountain gift card that pays for their subscription, and then some others.
Do you subscribe to MXA? You should. We know you think print magazines are dead and that the internet will fill the void, but most of the material in the current issue of MXA won't be online for months, if at all. Luckily, you can get all of MXA on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle, or Android by heading to the Apple Store, Amazon, or Google play, but even better get Digital Desktop Edition on https://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ or click the link below to get a printable version for your door only $15.99 (plus you get a free gift $25 card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC for subscription only). There is profit for you in this trade. For Print Magazine go to: http://hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-motocross-action-magazine/
REM Octobercross - one week before the 2015 World Veterans Championships.
PIECE OF THE ENERGY MONSTER 2015
Oct 17 ………………………..… Las Vegas, NV
REM OCTOBERCROSS 2015
… ……………………………………………………………………………………………. … Glen Helen, CA
2015 Lake Race
Oct 30-Nov 2……………….Castic Lake, CA
2015 GEICO ENDUROCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
………… Oct 7 Everett, Washington
Nov 7………………….Paper, ID
Nov 20-21…………..Ontario, CA
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2015
Oct 10……………………….. Bathurst, NSW
Oct 17 …………………………… Jimboomba, Queensland
Oct 31 …………………………… Wayville, SA
Nov 21 …………………… …….. Sunshine, Queensland
Nov 28 ………………………..Homebush, NSW
Dec 5 …………………………….. Sunshine, Vic
WORLD VETERAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015
November 7-8 ……………………….Glen Helen, CA
PARIS SUPERCROSS
November 14-16 ……………………. Lille, FRA
TOP MINI OLYMPIC
Nov 23-28………………….
.Gainesville, FL
GENEVA SUPERCROSS
Dec 4-5………………………. Geneva, S.V.
Next year, starting January 9, 2016, there will be two Anaheims and two San Diegos, but only one Atlanta.
2016 AMA SUPERCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
January 9 ……………………. Anaheim, CA
January 16…………………. San Diego, CA
January 23…………………. Anaheim, CA
January 30…………………. Oakland, CA
Feb 6 …………………… Glendale, AZ
Feb 13 …………………. San Diego, CA
Feb 20…………………. Arlington, TX
Feb 27 …………………. Atlanta, GA
March 5………………….Daytona, FL
March 12………………..Toronto, Canada
March 19……………….. Detroit, MI
April 2…… …………..….Santa Clara, CA
April 9………………..….Indianapolis, IN
April 16…………………. St. Louis, MO
April 23…………………. Foxboro, MA
April 30…………………. East Rutherford, NJ
May 7……………………. Las Vegas, Nevada
One thing we can promise for the 2016 GP season is that this race schedule will be changed a couple of times.
How can we know? Italy is only there once. The 2016 series starts in Qatar, goes to South Africa and then to Argentina. Which? No moon?
2016 FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEW SCHEDULE
Feb 27……………………..Lozeil, Qatar
March 06 ……………………..Sufan Buri, Thailand
Mar 13 …………………..Sepang, Malaysia
March 3rd ……………………….Neuquen, Argentina
April 24th ……………………..Leon, Mexico
April 17th ……… …………….Valkensvaard, Holland
May 1st ……………………….Kegums, Latvia
May 8th ……………………….Teutchental, Germany
May 15th ……………… ……..Petramurata, Italy
May 29……………………..TBA
June 5 ……………………… Saint-Jean-d'Angely, France
June 19 ……………………. Mother Basin, UK
June 26 ……………………. Mantova, Italy
July 24 ……………………… Loket, Czech Republic
July 31 ……………………… Lommel, Belgium
August 7 ………………………. Frauenfeld, Switzerland
August 28 …………………….. Assen, Holland
September 3 ……………………… Charlotte, USA
September 11 …………………….
.Glen Helen, USA
LAST WEEK 2016 FOT MOTOCROSS WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
February 27……………………..Lozeil, Qatar
March 20 ……………………. Johannesburg, South Africa
April 10 …………………….Newken, Argentina
April 24 …………………….TBA, Italy
May 1 ……………………….Walkenswaard, Holland
May 15 …………………… .Teuchenthal, Germany
May 22 …………………… ..Material pool, UK
June 5 ……………………… Saint-Jean-d' Angely, France
June 12……………………. Lommel, Belgium
June 26 …………………….Kegums, Latvia
July 3 ………………………. Uddevalla, Sweden
July 10 ……………………..TBA
July 24 ……………………… Loket, Czech Republic
August 7 ………………………. Frauenfeld, Switzerland
August 14 …………………….. Assen, Holland
August 28 ……………………..TBA
September 4 ………………………. Leon, Mexico
Sep 11 ……………………… Glen Helen, USA
2016 AMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
May 21 …………………… Hangtown, CA
May 28 …………… ……..Glen Helen, CA
June 4th.. ………………….
