Four-Wheeling To The Clinetops
New Castle is the gateway to the Flat Tops. One of the most spectacular drives is the four-wheel-drive road to Clinetop Mesa. Take 7th Street/Midland north. At the edge of town it becomes the Buford Road/CR 245. Approximately three miles from town, turn right onto Main Elk Road (CR 243). After about six miles the paved road ends and you’ll see the parking lot for Hadley Gulch trail. Shift into four-wheel drive. The one-lane Clinetops Road has many sharp switchbacks, so drive slowly and be prepared to pull over for on-coming vehicles. At least half of the sharp turns have extra space for passing or parking. Be sure to stop at some of these to enjoy the views. Near the upper end of the road you’ll come to the area burned in the fire of 2002. The new growth is testament to the forest recovery process. The road ends on top of the mesa. During the spring mud season the road requires more caution, and the upper half may be blocked by snow long after warm weather has reached lower elevations. In the fall the road is heavily traveled by hunters, and your progress can be considerably impeded. June, July, August and early September are the ideal times to take the drive.
Winter Sports on the Flat Tops
New Castle is the gateway to the Flat Tops, the large Rocky Mountain range northwest of town. While winter weather in town can be generally mild, you can find plenty of snow just a few miles away. The Buford Road (the continuation of 7th Street/Midland Avenue in town) is the route to take. It’s open all the way to Buford in the summer. In the winter the road closes at a large parking lot about 17 miles from New Castle. The Buford Road parking lot accesses both snowshoeing/cross-country skiing trails and a groomed snowmobiling area. Well-placed signs point snowmobilers to the left (west) and foot traffic to the right (east). The snowshoeing trails lead through beautiful stands of aspens and lead to overlooks limited only by the weather conditions. The beginning of the snowmobile route is pictured to the left. Make your first trip on a weekend, when there will be more people there if you need directions or assistance. Once you’re familiar with the area, you’ll find splendid solitude on most weekdays. Of course, be prepared for rapid changes in weather, and be sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
White River National Forest
There are a multitude of trails in the While River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness. New Castle is surrounded by thousands of acres of land managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. These public lands provide wonderful venues for camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, off highway vehicle use, and rafting. Consult Forest Service maps, pick a trail and enjoy.
