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Nederland, Colorado, United States

Caribou 4x4 Road

Popular, mostly-easy route close to Boulder

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 8.6 miles / 13.8 km
Duration: Half day
Family Friendly • Dog Friendly
 
Overview: Fun route with a variety of modest challenges. Skirts eastern border of Indian Peaks Wilderness and passes by historic Caribou Townsite. Great view from high point of trail includes Eldora Ski Area. Explore several marked side roads. Camp only in designated numbered sites. Unlicensed vehicles may find it more convenient to start at large parking area at Caribou Townsite. There is a $1,000 fine for riding across meadows at townsite. Open June 15 to Nov. 30, weather permitting. For current conditions call Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder Ranger District at (303) 541-2500.

Rating:

Moderate. Much of route is easy. North end has muddy section after creek crossing that can be impassable in worst-case scenario. South end, dropping down to Eldora, is steep and narrow with tight switchbacks. Long vehicles will be challenged here.



This trail is one of 80 trails from the book Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4WD Trails, 2nd Edition, by FunTreks Publishing, available at http://www.funtreks.com


Tips: Trail is supposed to open by June 15, but is sometimes delayed if conditions are too wet. If you go early, call ahead to make sure gates are open. Camp in designated numbered sites only. We counted a total of 11 sites. Please note that a caretaker lives in the area and watches what's going on.

Trail conditions can change without notice. FunTreks, Inc. and its owner and employees are not responsible for injury, death, or vehicle damage as a result of using this guide. The content of this guide is the property of FunTreks, Inc. and is made available to the user pursuant to EveryTrail’s Terms of Service (http://www.everytrail.com/tos.php).

Points of Interest

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Start Here

Follow County Road 116 toward Rainbow Lakes Campground, but turn left here on Forest Road 505 before the campground. Start is well marked.
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Creek Crossing

Cross Caribou Creek at designated crossing. Section after creek can get quite muddy after rainy periods.
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Camp Sites

Continue south to stay on main trail as you pass numbered designated campsites. Road on right goes to more numbered campsites. This is a fun side trip but eventually deadends. Camping is permitted only in designated campsites along the entire trail.
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Caribou Townsite

Arrive at Historic Caribou Townsite. To continue trip, turn hard right downhill staying on 505. Gate should be open between June 15 and November 30, but opening can be delayed if trail is too wet. Check with Forest Service if you go early. The main road on the left is County Road 128 that comes up from Nederland. The small road hard left uphill is a fun 4x4 road you can explore. Don't go up the hill to the right; it leads to the caretakers living quarters. The townsite is south of the parking area. There is a $1,000 fine for riding in this meadow. There are few structures left to see. To read about the history of the townsite, see Trail #35 in FunTreks book, "Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, 3rd Edition."
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More Campsites to Right

Main trail continues left. Right goes to more designated campsites and eventually deadends.
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Continue Straight

Continue straight on 505 and climb a steep hill.
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Scenic High Point

Main trail continues to left at scenic high point. Right is fun side trip but deadends. As you continue downhill on main trail, stay right where a lesser road immediately goes left. This road is closed and has a $1,000 fine because it passes through Caribou Townsite at the bottom.
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Begin Narrower Descent

After easy stretch, you reach a switchback where the road begins to narrow and you begin steep descent down to the town of Eldora.
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Tight Switchback

Tight switchback is tougher for long, over oversized vehicles.
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End of trail

Seasonal Gate marks south end of trail. After gate, bear right, then left downhill between houses. After house, turn left on Huron Avenue and continue east to paved County Road 130, which connects to Highway 119 into Nederland. As you pass through houses, please do so quietly to avoid disturbing local residents.
Pictures in this guide taken by: FunTreks, FunTreks, Inc.

Copyright 2011 FunTreks, Inc

Caribou 4x4 Road Map


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FunTreks
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