Shelf Road

We traveled the Shelf Road from Canon City north to Cripple Creek. We took Field Avenue from US 50 in Canon, straight up through residential neighborhoods to the intersection with Red Canyon Road (CR 9). This is paved for about 9-10 miles after that, till CR 9 takes a hard right, the pavement ends, and Shelf Road begins.

Overlooking Four Mile Creek, near the beginning of Shelf Road.

The road is generally well-maintained, with some areas of mild-to-moderate washboarding. A 4WD is not necessary on this road, though some of the side trip options do require 4WD. We were in a stock Wrangler JLU; the Jeep was not in the least challenged by this road. The main thing is to take it slow. We kept it under 15 for most of the way though pushing it up to 20-25 in some spots was feasible.

The road is generally well-maintained, though there is some washboarding in a few spots.

The road is narrow, no guardrails, with some spectacular dropoffs. The hairpins usually have quite enough room to pull over so as to make room for oncoming traffic. If not, it's easy enough to back up a short distance, as there are also sufficient wide spots along the road to let traffic by.

Looking down into Four Mile Creek at one of the steeper dropoffs.

We only met three or four vehicles coming the opposite way, and saw a Dodge van and a small Subaru on the road as well. The road is not difficult to follow, despite several intersecting roads. You do have to pay attention, however, as it is quite possible to get lost for a bit up there.

There is decent phone service (Verizon) for most of the route, so Google Maps is probably your best friend. GPS is solid as well. 

This is not a high mountain trail. Don't expect broad vistas of snow-covered peaks. What you will see are some magnificent canyons, creeks, and a changing forest type. We picked up gambel oaks at about 6500 feet, aspens shortly after and many more after 7200, and spruces and pinions starting at 7500. We topped out near Cripple Creek at 9478.

There were still some wildflowers out; blue bonnets, Indian paintbrushes, Queen Anne's lace, yellow coneflowers, Russian thistles.

Karval State Wildlife Area

Karval is a bucolic little burg out on the Colorado plains.

It's a little less than 20 miles southeast of Punkin Center, as the mountain plover flies. You can get to it by going up CO 71 from Rocky Ford, or on US 24 from Colorado Springs, or the lesser traveled way from La Junta.

We took the lesser traveled way to Karval, then came back down to Ordway via CO 71. From Ordway, we went to Pueblo to visit a couple of the well-known farm markets in the Avondale area just east of Pueblo. Some of the route from La Junta is paved; much of it is not. All of the road, paved or not, is in very good condition. The unpaved sections have very little washboarding, with one questionable area well-marked with cautionary signs.

We've had a very dry summer. Most of the plains of southeastern Colorado are thoroughly sun-scorched. But the area up north, in Lincoln County, tends to get more rain than down south, and this year has been no exception. Like southeastern Colorado it has been drier up there, but there has still been more rain than here. This became apparent the further north we went.

We left La Junta on CO 109 through Cheraw. Rather than going through Cheraw, we went straight, on CO 30 up to the Holbrook Canal. We veered east on 808/LL to CR 31, then north again. CR 31 runs arrow-straight for several miles till it hits CO 96. We dog-legged over a few hundred yards and picked up CR 31 again. North of CO 96, CR 31 is unpaved. It takes a hard right further on, and then left, becoming CR 2. At some point it also appears to become CR 32 and CR (CO?)109. So, you will see signs at east-west intersections that indicate you are on 31, 32, 2, 32, or 109. In any case, at the intersection with CR F, pavement begins. Keep on for several more miles, and it hangs hard left, becoming CR N before taking a hard right to the north again. After than turn, Karval SWA is just a couple or so miles further on.

This is a great drive, a great look at the eastern plains. Much of it is open range, with cattle wandering aimlessly about. We did not see much wildife. A few antelope, some red-tailed hawks, a few jack rabbits, some cottontails, and the usual collection of plains songbirds. The trip was during the morning; we arrived at the SWA about mid-day. The best times for wildlife viewing are dawn and dusk. Given the amount of water in the reservoir, and the heat of the day, we'd wager that the critters will be gathered there in the evenings.

Looking south on CR 31, north of CO 96

Open range; cattle have the right of way

One of several nice 'lopes we came across

Karval National Forest

The reservoir is of decent size. It's stocked by state DoW. It's perfect for fishing from a canoe or kayak.

Overlooking the reservoir from the main campground area. There is a well-maintained vault toilet here.

The plains, east of Karval, a few miles west of CO 71.

Phantom Canyon, Gold Camp, and the Old Stage Road 06.30.2018

Phantom Canyon Road

Gold Camp Road

Old Stage Road

I am not sure why these roads would be listed on the 'dangerous roads' website. They are generally considered to be 'easy', in the category of 'family fun runs'. None of them require a 4-wheel drive (unless one goes off on the side roads, which can quickly become somewhat challenging).

The biggest 'issue' we have found is some sections are heavily washboarded, which can cause handling difficulties unless one slows down considerably. And, the lower section of Old Stage Road really should be avoided. "Target shooters" have really trashed that section, leaving areas littered with shot up paper targets, plastic bottles, cans, shot up target frames, and other such refuse. And every sign - road, forest service, fish and wildlife ... all of them ... were shot to hell. I guess the exercise of one's Second Amendment rights includes the right to trash the countryside.

Also, we encountered a number of yay-hoos on that section, driving like morons with no regard for anyone else. In one instance, we were passed by a Tahoe and a Liberty; the Tahoe was fishtailing all over. Leece says, "We'll see him in the ditch" or words to that effect, and gosh darn and golly, Sergeant Carter, but right around the next hairpin, there he was. He bashed in the entire driver's side, kissing the rock face. Good thing no one was coming the other way.

We started from where Phantom Canyon intersects US50 just outside Canon City, and went up to Victor, then back down by way of Upper Gold Camp and then Old Stage.

The rest of these roads were quite enjoyable, very scenic, quiet, drivers were friendly, and a good time was had by all.