Any recommendations on campgrounds,private, BLM, Federal, etc. in the Creede, Co. area? We will be there around the 1st of August for a awhile. Any recommendations on what to see in the area? Thanks,

Marilyn

We're back again at Mountain Views RV Park in Creede- nicest place in town or just about anywhere. Spacious sites, well-run, friendly staff. They have a website. Antlers Lodge also has rv sites.
There are a number of National Forest campgrounds around, including one just off Hwy. 149 on the river, between Creede and South Fork.

Sorry I'm getting back to you so late...I'm not being notified by email when I get a response to a post..gotta go in and fix that. Anyhow, thanks for the info. Hubby says save us a place, we'll be there in August!! LOL I saw one in South Fork..Lonesome Dove I think it was. Have you stayed there or know anything about it?

re: the NF campgrounds..I'm assuming they are pretty rustic..water and elec or maybe just water?? My idea of "roughing it" is a black and white TV but could handle only water and elec. hook-ups especially if it is a pretty spot near a river. How's the weather? We finally got some rain here in South Texas and it was a little cooler. Has been high 90's for what seems like forever!

If you're interested in Mountain Views, suggest you call them ((719-658-2710) ASAP, as they've been pretty full. Escapees group (HOP?) coming here end of July for a few days, so may increase occupancy.
Natl. Forest spots are rustic and think you'll be lucky to get water. The sites by the river are scenic, but probably only water at a central spigot. For TV in Creede, you'll need a dish. Verizon/Alltel work for cellular phone (don't know about others). They have wifi at sites.
Looked at parks in South Fork, some are ok-good, but none as nice as Mountain Views. Don't think I'd gotten to Lonesome Dove- check reviews at rvparkreviews.com.
Highs here running mid-60s now.

Thanks for all the good info. Mid 60's sounds great and will probably be even cooler by the time we get there. You mentioned an Escapee's Hop coming in there in late July. Some friends of ours will probably be in that group. They are attending a 4 wheeler and wood burning get together in Creede. I'll have to check with them to see how long they will be staying. I don't know exactly when we will be there, we will possibly be traveling with another couple and their plans are very uncertain at this point due to health problems. But when I have an exact date I'll be sure and give Mountain View a call.

We will be coming into Creede via Rt 160 from Alamosa to South Fork and then Rt. 149 into Creede....can you tell me anything about these roads? We have decided not to put an exhaust brake on our truck just now so have to be very aware of any steep grades. Our mountain driving book doesn't indicate any problems but I just wanted to hear that from someone else!!

Thanks, Marilyn

quote:

We have decided not to put an exhaust brake on our truck just now so have to be very aware of any steep grades.

Unless you are an extremely skilled and experienced mountain driver I would urge you to put the exhaust brake on before tackling CO mountain passes. It will make your experience much more enjoyable. This will be especially true if you are not used to mountains. JMO, but I have lots of mountain experience to base it on.

The last time we stayed in the Creede, CO area, we camped at Marshall Park, a Rio Grande USFS campground. It's located off SR-149 southwest of Creede and is right on the Rio Grande River.

And, by the way, I agree with Jack: get the exhaust brakes installed BEFORE traveling in Colorado! We are experienced mountain drivers, but I would never consider driving in the mountains with a diesel engine without having exhaust brakes. You're courting disaster to do otherwise!

Jack makes a good point about the mountains. Don't know how the roads to Alamosa are from the south, but there's nothing significant from Alamosa to Creede thru South Fork. I live in Colorado, so am used to the mountains (and have disc brakes on the trailer). Wolf Creek Pass from Pagosa Springs to South Fork isn't too bad, but a long climb/downhill. Now, going from Creede to Lake City via Slumgullion Pass, that's a whole 'nother story. It's about an 8% grade from Creede, but 10-11% on the Lake City side.
The key is to take it slow, use the transmission and exhaust brake if you have it, avoid riding the brakes.
Good luck in your travels!

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Mayer:

quote:

We have decided not to put an exhaust brake on our truck just now so have to be very aware of any steep grades.

Unless you are an extremely skilled and experienced mountain driver I would urge you to put the exhaust brake on before tackling CO mountain passes. It will make your experience much more enjoyable. This will be especially true if you are not used to mountains. JMO, but I have lots of mountain experience to base it on.

We've done some driving with this truck and 5th wheel in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico already. A week around Buena Vista,a week near Saratoga and a week at Red River, NM so we have some experience and certainly know our limitations with the 5ver attached. This trip we are just planning on going as far as Creede with the 5ver, that's why I was asking about 160 and 149 from Alamosa. Thanks for the concern tho, it never hurts to be forewarned!

quote:

Originally posted by LindaH:
The last time we stayed in the Creede, CO area, we camped at Marshall Park, a Rio Grande USFS campground. It's located off SR-149 southwest of Creede and is right on the Rio Grande River.

And, by the way, I agree with Jack: get the exhaust brakes installed BEFORE traveling in Colorado! We are experienced mountain drivers, but I would never consider driving in the mountains with a diesel engine without having exhaust brakes. You're courting disaster to do otherwise!

I'll have to check out Marshall Park. Sounds like it would be a real pretty place since it's on the river..guess we could boondock for a little while. We did a week of it last time we were at "Q" and really enjoyed it. Nites should be pretty cool..do they make a propane "elec" blanket? LOL

Understand the reason for the exhaust brake on a diesel and will definitely have one on the dually if and when we trade but for now we are limitimg ourselves only to routes we know we can handle..that's why I asked for info on the roads in the area. Hubby is very cautious and doesn't attempt anything he is uncertain about. Anyhow, thanks for the info on the USFS campground, I'll be sure and check it out.

quote:

Originally posted by Rickster:
Jack makes a good point about the mountains. Don't know how the roads to Alamosa are from the south, but there's nothing significant from Alamosa to Creede thru South Fork. I live in Colorado, so am used to the mountains (and have disc brakes on the trailer). Wolf Creek Pass from Pagosa Springs to South Fork isn't too bad, but a long climb/downhill. Now, going from Creede to Lake City via Slumgullion Pass, that's a whole 'nother story. It's about an 8% grade from Creede, but 10-11% on the Lake City side.
The key is to take it slow, use the transmission and exhaust brake if you have it, avoid riding the brakes.
Good luck in your travels!

That's what we thought looking at the map and checking out our mountain driving book..no problem from Alamosa to Creede. We don't plan on going any further with 5ver attached. We've been thru Wolf Creek Pass a couple of times in just a vehicle but not Slumgullion Pass. We'd not attempt either with the rig we have now because of the lack of an exhaust brake. Just another reason to trade for a dually w/exhaust brake!! Thanks for the info.

Craftyfox.......What day are you leaving? Any word yet from L and RD??

B

====================

quote:

Originally posted by Art and Bev: SKP#33257:
Craftyfox.......What day are you leaving? Any word yet from L and RD??

B

====================

As usual we don't have an exact date..somewhere around the 1st of August if nothing comes up. They still want to come along but she can't see her cardiologist until July 18 to see if she is cleared for the surgery. If she is, don't know how soon she will try to get it done, maybe wait until after they get back. I want to get the show on the road on the 1st no matter what but feel obligated to try to accomadate them so it's still very uncertain..story of my life!!! Any more furry intruders? M

quote:

Originally posted by craftyfox:
Any more furry intruders? M

Unfortunately, yes, Tuesday of this week. One was caught a couple of weeks ago in the trap that Fish and Wildlife set up next to our rig. They tagged and relocated her, then replaced the trap. After more than a week of no activity, they took the trap away because they needed it elsewhere.

Then night before last, the ranger came by to advise us she had just seen a large bear when she was walking her dogs a couple hundred yards behind us in the forest.

This morning Art saw a very large, very heavy rock had been moved on the trail where he walks Max. Typical bear behavior, but he said it took a huge bear to move a rock that size. I hope it's another black and not a grizzly. Blacks are not a threat under ordinary circumstances, but grizzlies are aggressive and unpredictable. They're only seen in this part of the state on rare occasions.

USFS provided us with Counter Assault, which we both carry any time we leave the rig. It's the most powerful bear spray available, according to the FWS.

We're aware and concerned, of course, but not paralyzed with fear. We use common sense and take precautions. However, if we don't show up in September you'll know we weren't quite cautious enough!

=======================