We vacation to SW Colorado every year. We do a lot of 4-wheel'n but in Jeeps, no on quads. This year I plan to take the quads for a change. Does anyone know this area well enough to tell me if there is a way to get back to your truck if you run Black Bear. Is there a back road to get you to Ophir or something? Are there any trails for quads that I may no no about in the area? How strict are they on riding on roads (teluride, silverton, lake city) What about off the 4wd roads? are they strict on going off road?

Any comments are greatly appriciated.

 

Lake City area is one of the places we go in Aug.
You can ride on most of the jeep roads (county roads)but not in Lake City. They have many - many miles of jeep trails back up in the mountains.
However you must stay on the roads / trails.
Hope this helps.
Check out site www.cohvco.org

 

Telluride frowns on riding off road vehicles in the street. It's different than 10-15 years ago when they loved to see you. But if you're up to a challenge-why not turnaround and go UP Black Bear? We've done it, and had a ball. There is also a trail going to the north after you pass the lake in the first meadow after the top of the pass. We tried that, but ran into a slide. Perhaps you might find a way around it, we were running low on light.
Lake City and Durango haven't been trouble as far as riding in the city, as long as you leave early and quiet. Lake City to Carson to Stony Pass is a nice ride also. The side trip to Beartown and Kite Lake can be fun. There is supposed to be a back trail into Creede, but we haven't found it....yet. We might need a local to show us. Have you tried Poughkeepsie Gulch?
One more thing, if you do get stopped by the law, be respectful and express your happiness at being found because you're soooo lost. (It's helped more than once) Have fun.