Hawkable trails and passes in CO

o2jmpr · 08-06-2018, 08:33 PM

Do we have any Hawksters that live near (or have ridden around) the alpine loop in Colorado?

I would like to take a trip there next year and ride some of the loop and a few passes like Black Bear, Ophir, Engineer, Imogene etc. Some of these places look quite gnarly on Youtube and I'll bet the videos don't do them justice anyway. Please chime in if you have experience out there and can tell me if the ol' Hawk could survive the trip. Maybe a better question would be are there any "out of the question" trails to avoid?

Thanks all!

o2jmpr · 08-07-2018, 10:48 AM

Yikes! This is very much in the wrong forum. My apologies for not paying attention. If a mod wants to move it that would be great.

Emerikol · 08-07-2018, 10:59 AM

Try checking out https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/ They have some pretty nice interactive maps with difficulty indicators. Might be a good place to start.

**JerryHawk250** · 08-07-2018, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerikol

Try checking out https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/ They have some pretty nice interactive maps with difficulty indicators. Might be a good place to start.

Good site.

That's were I have found most of the ATV parks I have gone to.

Azhule · 08-07-2018, 02:29 PM

Depending on the trail and how wet/dry it has been that season, I would say 98 or more percent of the trails are extremely easy and doable on 2 wheels... some of our lifted 4x4 friends will try to steer you away only because their crap tastic SUV couldn't do the trail, no way a lowly single cylinder China Bike will make it

...

We have done several trails on those passes, even had a few new riders on China (TT250's, RX3's) and Japanese (KLR650, DR650) bikes... I was even able to do the trails on my Bashan 200 with the stock street tires set a 32 psi, but I also have just shy of 30 years dirt bike/mountain riding experience helping me out on that part

I'm sure you can make it up and down the mountains easy on the HAWK

My only real advise is... make sure you ride in a group or someone knows exactly the route you take and time you will be back... sometimes cell service is nill, the nearest hospital is miles away, and if you are riding the mountain all alone the only things that will hear your calls for help will be the hungry animals searching for food

Let me know if you want someone to ride the trails with, I'm sure I can get the time off from being a stay at home parent/teacher (home schooling the kiddo)

o2jmpr · 08-07-2018, 04:03 PM

Wow! That was easy! Thanks for the response. I would love to meet for some riding. No dates set yet but it will be next summer near the first of August. I’ll PM you.

Sir kayakalot · 08-07-2018, 08:05 PM

Just about all the trails you listed are do-able on the hawk. Like Azhule said cell service is almost nonexistent. Also be prepared for storms almost daily if your above 9000’ that will have lightning and hail. Even if there isn’t a cloud in the sky in the morning still take your rain gear because you will need it. If you don’t have one already, get yourself a CO Gazetteer so you don’t get lost. That Ophir section is especially nice. I love riding my mtn bike there. Early summer is usually pretty crowded now a days with off-roaders. Late August is better than June-July. Pack a collapsible fishing pole because those creeks and ponds are loaded with brook trout. Great hiking trails too will lead you to some of the lesser known mines even at 12000’ and above

o2jmpr · 08-08-2018, 05:46 PM

What a stunning place. Don’t take this in the fanatic nut job way but I met God on a motorcycle trip in the Black Hills many years ago. I’m pretty sure He also lives around this neck of the woods too.

08-06-2018, 08:33 PM	#1
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	Hawkable trails and passes in CO Do we have any Hawksters that live near (or have ridden around) the alpine loop in Colorado? I would like to take a trip there next year and ride some of the loop and a few passes like Black Bear, Ophir, Engineer, Imogene etc. Some of these places look quite gnarly on Youtube and I'll bet the videos don't do them justice anyway. Please chime in if you have experience out there and can tell me if the ol' Hawk could survive the trip. Maybe a better question would be are there any "out of the question" trails to avoid? Thanks all!
	1

08-07-2018, 10:59 AM	#3
Emerikol Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Carrollton, GA Posts: 1,465	Try checking out https://www.riderplanet-usa.com/ They have some pretty nice interactive maps with difficulty indicators. Might be a good place to start. __________________ First Rule of Aviation: -Never Pass Up The Opportunity to Pee I was struggling to get my wife's attention; I sat down on the couch and looked comfortable. That did the trick! My wife says I only have two faults. I don't listen and something else... If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way I told you to... The Stable: 2005 Yamaha V-Star 650 - SOLD 2015 Suzuki DR 650 2015 RPS Hawk 250 - SOLD 2016 Ural Gear Up
	1

08-07-2018, 02:29 PM	#5
Azhule Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CO Posts: 1,525	Depending on the trail and how wet/dry it has been that season, I would say 98 or more percent of the trails are extremely easy and doable on 2 wheels... some of our lifted 4x4 friends will try to steer you away only because their crap tastic SUV couldn't do the trail, no way a lowly single cylinder China Bike will make it ... We have done several trails on those passes, even had a few new riders on China (TT250's, RX3's) and Japanese (KLR650, DR650) bikes... I was even able to do the trails on my Bashan 200 with the stock street tires set a 32 psi, but I also have just shy of 30 years dirt bike/mountain riding experience helping me out on that part I'm sure you can make it up and down the mountains easy on the HAWK My only real advise is... make sure you ride in a group or someone knows exactly the route you take and time you will be back... sometimes cell service is nill, the nearest hospital is miles away, and if you are riding the mountain all alone the only things that will hear your calls for help will be the hungry animals searching for food Let me know if you want someone to ride the trails with, I'm sure I can get the time off from being a stay at home parent/teacher (home schooling the kiddo) __________________ "Think as you like... but this self proclaimed Professor is always right" - Buckshot "You never know what someone is hiding beneath their smile..." - NinjaTom - R.I.P.
	1

08-07-2018, 10:48 AM	#2
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	Yikes! This is very much in the wrong forum. My apologies for not paying attention. If a mod wants to move it that would be great.
	0

08-07-2018, 04:03 PM	#6
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	Wow! That was easy! Thanks for the response. I would love to meet for some riding. No dates set yet but it will be next summer near the first of August. I’ll PM you.
	1

08-08-2018, 05:46 PM	#8
o2jmpr Join Date: May 2017 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 120	What a stunning place. Don’t take this in the fanatic nut job way but I met God on a motorcycle trip in the Black Hills many years ago. I’m pretty sure He also lives around this neck of the woods too.
	2