CR 205

Trail Overview

Originating on a wide gravel road marked by a damaged and illegible sign, CR 205 is a highly scenic 6.3-mile route that traces the path of Big Salt Wash. The trail is generally wide enough for two vehicles to easily pass as it winds between towering canyon walls. This route is a premier destination for dispersed camping, boasting over 20 distinct sites. The northern (left) side offers highly private, shaded clearings tucked directly into the canyon folds, while the southern (right) side features expansive sites nestled under large, beautiful trees alongside the crystal-clear flowing water of the wash. CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: About halfway through, the public road passes through privately owned land. The landowner has placed a deceptively angled "No Trespassing" sign that appears to close the road, but the trail itself remains a legal public right-of-way. However, massive, highly aggressive dogs (180+ lbs) are known to leap the property fence and violently charge passing vehicles, chasing them for over half a mile at speeds exceeding 35 mph. Absolutely do not stop, exit your vehicle, or travel this specific section on foot, on horseback, or in an open-cab vehicle like a side-by-side. Once safely past this hazard, the trail continues to offer incredible mountain and valley views before terminating at a locked manual gate. The area immediately preceding this gate is one of the largest flat camping zones on the Western Slope, easily capable of accommodating 60+ vehicles and featuring multiple stone fire rings.

Photos of CR 205

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Difficulty

From a purely technical off-road standpoint, CR 205 firmly sits at an Easy Level 2 rating. The dirt and gravel surface is wide and manageable, featuring minor dried erosion ruts measuring 11 inches or less. Under dry conditions, this track is easily navigable for 2WD high-clearance vehicles, AWD crossovers, and standard SUVs. The true difficulty of this route lies entirely in environmental and external hazards. First, the aggressive dogs at the midpoint pose a severe, life-threatening danger to anyone outside a closed-cab vehicle. Second, a strict severe weather restriction applies to this entire canyon area: absolutely do not enter if it has rained recently or if rain is forecasted. The dirt instantly turns into a horrendous, deep mud that will swallow and trap even the most highly modified 4x4 trucks.

Technical Rating

CR 205 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike