Camping below S. Colony Lakes

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nunns
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Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by nunns »

We are planning on climbing the Crestones at the beginning of August. There is a parking lot at the bottom of the South Colony Lakes Road. It looks like it would be easy to camp/car camp there. Does anyone know if that is allowed at that parking lot? I am talking about the lower lot, before the "road" gets rough.

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rijaca
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by rijaca »

Not allowed.
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by Aphelion »

I don't know that it's specifically not allowed, but I doubt it. It's entirely on private land, and the parking lot is really just a wide spot in the road with a fence around it. You might get away with sleeping in your car, but likely no camping.
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by Aphelion »

.
Last edited by Aphelion on Thu Jul 08, 2021 11:57 am, edited 2 times in total.
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LetsGoMets
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by LetsGoMets »

FWIW, have slept in my truck there a couple times with no issues. Definitely no place for a tent though.
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by mtnkub »

Somewhat related info: Do NOT follow the google directions to the lower 2WD parking lot; use the description from this site instead. (Otherwise, the last 1/4 mile or so will be a bit rough going. No big deal compared to the remaining 4WD road, but probably not great for a low clearance vehicle).
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

There's a nice hotel in Westcliffe.
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by derekpetrie »

There are a number of dispersed spots past the 1.5 miles of private property, starting just before rainbow trail intersection.

FWIW, the drainage is beautiful right now. I hiked it on Monday from the lower trailhead. But with all that green also were some pretty intense patches of mosquito swarms. Maybe it’ll dry out by early Aug. Id pack extra bug spray!
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by AndrewLyonsGeibel »

I car camped there once at the 2wd trailhead. Nobody said anything. I have no idea if it’s allowed or not but I don’t remember any signs and hardly anybody was there.
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by bdloftin77 »

AndrewLyonsGeibel wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:03 pm I car camped there once at the 2wd trailhead. Nobody said anything. I have no idea if it’s allowed or not but I don’t remember any signs and hardly anybody was there.
I did as well (with a tent), but that was 7 years ago.
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rijaca
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by rijaca »

AndrewLyonsGeibel wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:03 pm I car camped there once at the 2wd trailhead. Nobody said anything. I have no idea if it’s allowed or not but I don’t remember any signs and hardly anybody was there.
Two years ago, there were signs in the lower parking lot that said no camping was allowed.

Alvarado Campground, a nice USFS campground is nearby.
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Re: Camping below S. Colony Lakes

Post by AndrewLyonsGeibel »

rijaca wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 2:17 pm
AndrewLyonsGeibel wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:03 pm I car camped there once at the 2wd trailhead. Nobody said anything. I have no idea if it’s allowed or not but I don’t remember any signs and hardly anybody was there.
Two years ago, there were signs in the lower parking lot that said no camping was allowed.

Alvarado Campground, a nice USFS campground is nearby.
Good to know. I haven’t been there in 4 or 5 years.
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