Kenosha Pass CG is a very small campground. Most of the sites are to small and unruly for big campers. However, there were a few that were able to squeeze into spots over the Memorial weekend. I would consider this campground better suited for small campers and tents. The roads and parking area for the sites are not well maintained.  There is a nice small trail in the campground for walking the pup and stretching your legs.

Worst site we’ve yet to camp at, Kenosha Pass, CO

Campsite at Kenosha Pass, CO

The drive to Kenosha Pass is fast, and easy, from the Front Range, and the campground  is perfect for hiking the Colorado Trail. The trail crosses Highway 285, and runs along the back of the campsite. There is also a 4-wheel drive road across 285 that you can hike (or drive).

Beginning of section 6, Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

The first day we arrived it began to rain, which is ok since we usually rest after arriving to a site. We were looking forward to watching the new meteor shower Camelopardalids, but the storms that rolled through decided not to part over night.

The second day we decided to hike section 5 of the Colorado Trail. Within 30 minutes I heard a strange sound, like a loud banging on a tree. I asked my trail companions to be quiet, then Natasha spotted a Moose crossing the trail. Next thing we noticed was a jogger with a large stick. Apparently he was banging on the aspens to let the Moose know he was there. A few yards up we noticed a large aspen across the trail—it was probably a smorgasbord for the Ungulates during winter. Later, during the hike we came across a dozen or so Blue Birds flying around the dense aspens.

Old train tracks from 1879, beginning of the Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

Beginning of the Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

Moose in the aspens. Kenosha Pass, CO

Watching some Gadwall on the pond at Kenosha Pass, CO

Smorgasbord for the wild animals. Kenosha Pass, CO

Beautiful tall aspens along the trial. Kenosha Pass, CO

View of South Park from the Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

Strange trash along the trail: a canvas smashed over a tree stump that is painted blue. Kenosha Pass, CO

Lots of shooting in the open camping areas. Wear bright colors while hiking! Kenosha Pass, CO

During our third day the skies cleared late morning and we we hurriedly put on our hiking gear and took off to section 6 of the Colorado Trail. One of the first things we noticed were all of the shelters that were set up all along the trail made from the down pines and aspens. Some were big and roomy and others were nearly big enough for Daisy. Of course we had to check them all out 🙂

Shelters along the trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

Really cool shelter along the Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

Daisy was afraid of this shelter, probably too small for her. Kenosha Pass, CO

Big tepee, Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

We hiked as far as we could before having to turn around due to the oncoming storm. On our way back to camp it began to sleet, luckily it was not rain. By the time we made it back to the Airstream it was cold and the sleet was beginning to turn to snow. All of tent campers where packing up and heading home. We couldn’t blame them, with only a few hours of play time a day it would have been miserable in a tent. We were warm and cozy though and had a lot of fun playing backgammon, farkle, rummy, and oh hell. Not to mention we were able to catch up on all the Zinio magazines. We love the occasional cold snowy days in the AS! While on this section of the Colorado Trail we came across a Townsend’s Solitaire.

Campsite at Kenosha Pass, CO

Hiking along the Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

New hiking shoes from Salomon. Love them! Kenosha Pass, CO

Flooded meadow from all the rain. Our point of return on the Colorado Trail. Kenosha Pass, CO

Kenosha Pass, CO

Kenosha Pass, CO

Beginning our second Colorado Trail hike. Kenosha Pass, CO

Two Chicks and a Golden can only stay inside a camper for so long. After the snow stopped we headed out to explore a 4-wheel drive road we noticed from the trail. We found Lost Park Road (#56 at 285) which takes you to Lost Creek Wilderness and Pike National Forest. There were so many campsites along this road! If only we had known about this area, we wouldn’t had stayed at the fee campground! Next time. Some of the campsites where HUGE and could accommodate large camping parties.

Storms all weekend long. This one brought us hail and snow. Kenosha Pass, CO

Campers crap along Rock Creek Hills Road (#39). Kenosha Pass, CO

Homestead. Kenosha Pass, CO

Homestead. Kenosha Pass, CO

HUGE campsite. Kenosha Pass, CO

There are some beautiful mountains under thought thick clouds. Kenosha Pass, CO

After three days of cloudy, rainy, snowy, and foggy skies, the clouds finally rolled out Sunday evening, and we were left with beautiful snow peaks all around us! There is nothing like seeing the sun set on the green trees, white mountains, and blue sky.

Blue skies and white capped mountains as we left the campground. Kenosha Pass, CO

Beautiful drive home. Kenosha Pass, CO

Monday—Memorial Day—was our first clear day, and we started to enjoy it early in the morning. We took off hiking on the 4-wheel drive road (#126) that is across 285. We discovered the East Kenosha Pass Campground (across 285!) the roads where nice, sites are level and large, and the place was empty! We definitely picked the wrong campsite this weekend—live and learn 🙂 The road was great for hiking along, traffic was low, and we could spot Moose tracks all along our route. We came across the beaver ponds, and there were dozens of wrens. We tossed some of Cheyennes ashes into the Beaver ponds, remarking how he would have loved the area, and we would have had a hell of a time keeping him out of the muddy ponds. He really liked to jump into the water 🙂  We would have loved to stay there all day exploring and listening to the songs of the Wrens.

Mouse scat! Kenosha Pass, CO

Kenosha Pass, CO

Rocky Mountain high camping! Kenosha Pass, CO

Willows along a beaver pond. Kenosha Pass, CO

Very large Moose tracks. Kenosha Pass, CO

Beaver pond along FR126. Kenosha Pass, CO

We continued until we could no longer walk due to the flooded road. Because of the Beaver activity there was no way around, so we turned back and found another Jeep trail to walk on and connect back to the Colorado Trail. It made a nice loop for us.

Daisy playing in Kenosha Creek as it crosses the road FR 126. Kenosha Pass, CO

This was a great, relaxing trip. We did learn that camping in the campground is not necessary, and next time we will head for the dispersed campsites off of the 4-wheel drive roads. Also, my new Saloman Ellipse GTX hiking shoes were perfect! They even kept my feet from getting drenched when passing through the creeks beds. 🙂