The NoCo Fun-Run
This is called the NoCo Fun-Run. The name is derived from our 4runner which we nicknamed “Fun Runner”. My wife and I enjoy overlanding and I had not been since moving to Colorado a few years ago. Enough was enough, I created this route and finally got the chance to actually drive it over a holiday weekend. The route is truly incredible. You’ll spend most of your time in Roosevelt National Forest, Routt National Forest, Arapaho National Forest, and you’ll pass through Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Road. You’ll crest the continental divide twice, and hit 12,200 feet above sea level in RMPN. There is plenty of dispersed camping along the way and no shortage of breathtaking views. The wildlife is abundant, and you’ll be in fairly remote places during the 1st half of the trip. You’ll see the Medicine Bow Range, Never Summer Range, Mummy Range, and you’ll get a distant view of Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming, along with the Park Range west of Walden.
I have not provided pictures on purpose, if anyone has a desire to drive this overland route you’ll just have to see for yourself. The route can be completed in any 4x4 truck or SUV. With careful tire placement, a Subaru may be able to complete the route as well. The hardest trail will be FR740 (road to Historical Teller City), and yet this road is rated as easy.
Please get out into the bush and enjoy this overland route. You’ll have a blast! There are unlimited amounts of 4x4 side trails along the way, and hiking trails too.
Here are some details about the route. This route should be doable in a weekend, even though we did it in 3 days.
Be advised, if Trail Ridge Road through RMNP is closed there are very limited routes to get around. You’ll likely have to backtrack to Cameron Pass or drive to Denver (depending on where you live).
This route should be solid. I traced a new track over our existing recorded track to correct some wrong turns I made. However, always be prepared and have downloaded maps in case you need to reroute.
Day 1: 90% unpaved
-FR171 offers a lot of dispersed camping
-Dispersed camping along Deadman Road
Day 2: 60% unpaved
-In RMNP we saw 3 moose, 10-15 Elk (4 huge bull elks feeding together), 1 baby Marmot, and 5 deer.
Day 3: 100% paved
-Head back down to the front range
Total moving time: 14hrs
Average speed: 17mph
Total accent: 26,000 ft
Total decent: 26,000 ft