The US Forest along the Colorado-Wyoming border has a rich history of logging and mining dating back more than a century. Evidence of these activities are still visible today along Village Belle Road. Although Village Belle Road ends near the US Continental Divide, visitors will remain in the densely treed forest without realizing they are near this significant geographical spot. An existing mine shaft, the Village Belle Mine, is located to the south approximately .5 miles past the trail's end waypoint. The mine is located along Medicine Bow Road and easily accessible.
If a quiet off-road experience is what you're looking for, Village Belle Road can meet your expectations. This area of the forest is far enough away from the city hustle and bustle that it does not see many people and can be ideal for a quiet afternoon drive or a relaxing weekend camping get-away.
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Take Colorado Highway 125 north out of Walden 13.5 miles. Veer right onto Colorado 127 for 4.5 miles to the Village Belle Road trailhead on your right. The road is marked with a US Forest Service sign.
The Mullen Fire near Fox Park, WY more than doubled in size today to over 80k acres. This prompted forest closures along the Colorado / Wyoming border.
With all the Aspen trees along Village Belle Road, the fall time is a great time to visit for a relaxing country drive. Because I like exploring the old mining sites, this part of the national forest is intriguing. The road was in great shape and there were few other visitors to be found. The trail is not a destination trail, but the area surrounding is beautiful with the fall color.
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Tim is retired and calls Southern Mississippi, near the gulf coast, home. Tim spent most of his adult life in Northern Colorado. He has owned and driven 4X4 vehicles his entire adult life, including Jeeps, pickups, ATVs, and UTVs. After high school, Tim's first 4X4 was a 47 Willy's CJ-2A with a flat four and a 6-volt electrical system. With a history of wheeling in Northern Colorado or Southern Wyoming, Tim loves being in the mountains and the backcountry. Because of a desire to enjoy and promote responsible off-roading and to keep it available for the future, he belongs to a local 4X4 off-road club. Being part of the Trailsoffroad.com community furthers that goal as well.
A love for off-road adventures, camping, fishing, and hunting keeps Tim away from the pavement and continually exploring. While his wife likes the comfort of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Tim prefers the ruggedness of the Jeep Wrangler. The recent move to southern Mississippi means he will spend time learning a whole new region and style of off-roading than he experienced in the Colorado Mountains. Tim will spend the summer going topless and enjoying the value of the great outdoors. Amateur Radio Technician license call sign: ke0npg
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