RIDING LOCATIONS CLOSE TO COLORADO SPRINGS

[tudizzle]

It would be 1.5 hrs if your moving

Check out the area before the snow. It is actually a pretty cool. Has some primitive campsites strewn about. Lots of atv trails. And a superb area if you are into hunting mushrooms of all types. We always camp a time or two out there each year.

You can also see Bishops Castle which is right on the road a couple of miles before the trailhead. Pretty cool building and story...see if you can make it too the top!


http://www.bishopcastle.info/

 

[Chaos]

Tudizzle,

What route would you recommend to make 1.5 hours?

Army... I am now planning on a ride down there on Saturday (motorcycle) to do some recon work. If you think you can hang with an old retired Marine you are always welcome. I am sure my bride will insist on going so be sure to invite yours. If not I will let you know what I find.

Chaos

 

[tudizzle]

I stand corrected...wasn't sure where excatly Fort Carson was.


According to Mapquest it would take 1 hour and 31 minutes


which means if your moving you could make it in an hour


Just take 25 south to 165...stay right at the lake...just after the castle is a sharp bend in the road and the turn off is on the left in the middle of the turn. Down about two miles across a cattle gate then there is a parking lot

 

[ARMYSLEDER]

Chaos I would love too but I am going up to Idaho Friday morning and wont be back till monday. I am going to pick up my sled and see the bride and son. Might even take them on a ride in the mtns there depending on what the weather is like. Thanks for the invite but I will check in with you when I get back. Goodluck riding and be safe.

Tudizzle,

What route would you recommend to make 1.5 hours?

Army... I am now planning on a ride down there on Saturday (motorcycle) to do some recon work. If you think you can hang with an old retired Marine you are always welcome. I am sure my bride will insist on going so be sure to invite yours. If not I will let you know what I find.

Chaos

 

[Chaos]

Tud,

Thanks for the information. I owe you an adult beverage of your choice. Have a great week.

Army, copy all. Have a great time with your family. Safe trip and talk to you when you return.

Chaos

 

[tudizzle]

If your taking your bike out there you can wind in the back way thru the hills..its probably a few miles shorter, not as straight or fast as the other route, but would be more scenic.

This is a link showing how to get to Bishops Castle the back way...Ophir turn off would be a few miles before the castle for this direction. It would be a right turn at the sharp turn in the road (County Road 361, dirt road but well maintained). I think there is a signage about a fire station which is right there too?

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/10-PBeW*qMEbxh9

 

[Chaos]

Great minds think alike Tud... That is the route I was planning using the same logic; no hurry, and a little more scenic then screaming down 25.

Thanks again for the follow-up, very kind of you.

Safe week/weekend....

Chaos

 

[stingray719]

tudizzle I cannot imagine taking new riders up that. Made me shudder thinking of her going over in that canyon on the big sidehill. Check it out in deep powder, it is really something else.

But, the rest of Ophir creek is pretty much a cake walk. We went often last year as I have an aversion to huge amounts of people and stop and go driving on the freeway. We go down I25 and in past Bishops Castle. Well maintained road most days. Only down side is some greenies go there and let small kiddies play in parking lot.

Lol, got the ZRT faster on that one long straight stretch of road faster than I EVER want to go on a sled again

 

[ARMYSLEDER]

Im thinking of taking a drive down there to scout it out and look around this weekend. Maybe wet my line if I find a nice creek. Anyone want to tag along?

 

[Chaos]

Army,

I took a run to Ohpir on Saturday, I went down 115 to 67 to 165. Nice enough ride on the bike but you have to watch for some of the corners. Road folks have laid down that oily tar substance that will grab a tire in a heartbeat. Take your time and be careful.

Taking the route I did, Ophir comes up on your right, inside a big left hand curve. Road is pretty good, even on a bike if you take it slow.

With the right snow it looks like a nice place to tear it up/ Did not see many fields but then then again I did not want to head to far back with the street bike.

Let me know how it went for you.

Hope you had a good time with mom and the kids.

Feel free to stop by for an adult beverage if the folks are back home again and your looking to take a chill pill later in the day.A warrior is always welcome at my abode.

By the way, after you look at the Ophir, run south on the hardball for a couple of miles. You will run into a place called Bishops Castle. Quite a place. The gentleman building it is a bit on the edge, he'll make (scream) political comments the whole time your there. Interesting character to say the least.

S/F

Vince
202.391.4719.

 

[tudizzle]

did you go back the same route?

A few miles past the castle is lake Isabel. Has a little mtn cafe (off the water) and a nice little scenic lake with campgrounds around the back.

People do a bit of ice fishing on that lake during the winter.

 

[tudizzle]

The guy building that castle was pulling some trees on that property many years back. He lifted one out of the ground, root ball and all, but his equipment couldn't handle it so he set it back down. His little kid ( i think 5) had scambled into the hole and the guy never noticed. The kid was instantly crushed.

About the same time he started getting hassled by local gov about his right to build, so I think he focuses his sorrow/crazy on that building and fighting the "man"

 

[Chaos]

Tud,

We headed south out of the castle and noticed the lakes. Not knowing of the restaurant, we slowed down as we went past them to enjoy the view and then sped it up again. There were probably 20 or so folks fishing the water.

If what you say about his son being killed is true, absolutely devastating. That would be a truly tragic thing to deal with. The castle itself was incredible. Sad that after 40 years it has not been lived in by the builder.

Have a great week.

Chaos

 

[tudizzle]

well shoot...after all this talk I headed down to camp for the weekend. From Monument to the lake took me 1 hour 39 minutes with rush hour traffic in the springs too.

stayed at the La Vista campground behind the lake

took the kiddos to the castle...almost made it too the top before they got too scared..lol

was cold at night first time we turn the heat on in the 5th wheel this year.....not long now!

 

[tudizzle]

Hard to belive one man built that entire place....stone by stone.

 

[Chaos]

Tud,

Thanks for sharing, looks like a good time was had by all.

CHaos

Not sure how to post photo's, I also took a few from the exterior.