It was a pleasant surprise when I received an invite from Yamaha to join a group of ATV adventurers on a two-day safari through the Gunnison National Forest in the Rocky Mountains.
The Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 vehicles we used during this adventure are more than simple ATVs. They are side-by-side RVs that can climb rocks, wade in puddles and streams, and speed on open dirt roads.
Highlights |
| Trip to Almont, CO - Our Base Camp |
| Taylor Park Resort at Almont |
| Yamaha Team Reception |
| First Day of Riding |
| First day route |
| Second Ride |
| Second day route |
Trip to Almont, CO - Our Base Camp
Our four-wheel adventure started with a flight from Los Angeles to Denver. I have visited Denver in the past and have had adventures through the Rocky Mountain National Park. You can read about my visit [here](). But this adventure took us to the Gunnison National Forest, part of the Rocky Mountains.
Denver Airport is huge—considered the largest airport in North America. We had a lot of time to kill waiting for our connecting flight to Gunnison, CO, so we had breakfast and roamed the concourses, exploring shops. The airport was so large that we needed a train to get between the concourses.
In contrast, Gunnison Airport is so small; it is right smack in the middle of town. The short flight from Denver to Gunnison was entertaining, with amazing views of the Rockies below. The shuttle ride from the small Gunnison airport to the tiny hamlet of Almont took 45 minutes and was a delight. The views along the way enticed our senses with the promise of more stunning views to come.
Find your Colorado Adventure here.
Taylor Park Resort at Almont
Almont is a quaint, unincorporated community nestled in Gunnison County, Colorado. This picturesque area is known for its access to outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and off-roading. The Taylor River runs through Almont, offering excellent opportunities for fly fishing and water sports.
Taylor Park Trading Post is a camping, RV, and cabin resort, and it was our base camp for a four-day stay. Our cabin had two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchenette. It was cozy, and the beds were comfortable. However, we didn’t get the chance to use the kitchen because the Yamaha team provided all the meals. The 
cabin had no TV, but we didn’t miss it. After a day full of activities, we had no time to watch TV.
We did miss the morning coffee. Although the cabin had a coffee maker, no coffee supplies were provided.
The resort offers ATV rentals, but we didn’t need them. The property also has a convenience store in case we forget to pack something.
Reception
After relaxing in our cabin, we were taken to the staging area set up in an open field at the resort. A huge tent contained serving tables and seating to enjoy dinner. We met the team and other invitees from around the country. We immediately felt we were in good hands. The team was very friendly and experienced in leading similar events year-round. They seemed to enjoy their work and enjoyed sharing it with us.
We were then treated to a dinner by Chef Biju. Biju is a lifelong cyclist and self-taught chef based in Boulder, Colorado. He co-authored the best-selling “The Feed Zone” cookbook series and has appeared on several TV shows, including Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
Before dinner, we started with an exclusive tour of the jaw-dropping vehicles we’d be riding. We’ve got two groups: one tearing it up on dirt bikes and our squad cruising in the incredible RMAX2 side-by-sides. These machines are a pure thrill!
As we enjoyed our food, we were treated to an awesome sight. As is usual in Colorado, an afternoon storm gathered around us, and a beautiful double rainbow formed above the Yamaha vehicles. The threatening weather dissipated within minutes, and we returned to our fun activities.
First Day of Riding
We started our day with breakfast at the Nugget Café, a few steps from our cabin. Yamaha provided breakfast vouchers, and the food was delicious. I tried the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito, and my wife tried the kid's pancake. Why kid size? Their regular order can feed an army.
Our Offroad Adventure started at 9:30 AM with some safety instructions. We were reminded about the challenging altitude and the need to stay hydrated.
We also learned that at intersections, we must stop and ensure the vehicle behind us knows which way to go. A thumbs-up guarantees that we saw each other. Someone turned into the new road without waiting at one intersection, and a whole group of us ended up on the wrong route. It took a while to regroup and continue on our original route.
We spent 7 hours tearing through all kinds of terrain on the RMAX2 Wolverine. We tackled rocky trails, splashed through streams and puddles, and sped along long stretches of packed dirt with thrilling twists and turns. The RMAX2 LE was an absolute beast, handling everything flawlessly. The scenery was simply breathtaking—snow-covered peaks, lush meadows, and pristine rivers and streams. We also stopped to gaze at the occasional moose grazing in the meadows.
We stopped for lunch near Cross Creek in a picturesque clearing among the forest trees, where the sound of running water soothed our aching muscles. After lunch, we conquered more trails, passed through the historic city of Tin Cup, and headed to the cemetery. Yes, it is a cemetery but also a tranquil place with running streams and meadows. We took a small hike to admire the scenery and then returned to base camp. On the way, we stopped at beautiful Mirror Lake for a break and some amazing views.
By the end of the day, we were exhausted but incredibly happy. What a day! We arrived back at base camp covered in dirt and mud, so we took a much-needed hot shower and then gathered again for an evening of happy hour, drinks provided, and a delicious meal.
Route:
- Gunnison National Forest, Route 752
- Lottis Creek
- Lunch next to Cross Creek
- Tin Cup Town and Cemetery
- Mirror Lake
- Route 267
- Back to Taylor Park
Find your Colorado Adventure here.
Second Ride
On our second day of the epic Offroad Adventure, we decided to try the Yamaha RMAX4 LE with 4 seats. We only used the front two seats but wanted to experience the larger vehicle. The RMAX4 is handled similarly to the RMAX2-it has the same power and maneuverability.
The only drawback was that we did not have a waterproof box for our belongings. We learned later that it does have a box under the back seats.
Once again, we zipped through the stunning Gunnison National Forest. Every moment was a heart-pounding thrill, from conquering rugged, rocky trails to splashing through vibrant running streams and
cruising along endless stretches of packed dirt. This leg of the trip took us to new heights (close to 12,000 ft), and we got the chance to drive our RMAX4s through the snow.
We stopped for lunch at Tellurium Creek on Route 742F. This picnic spot was ideal, with a running stream and snow on the ground. Before we arrived at the next stop, we hit a long stretch of packed dirt road where we could floor the beasts to 50 miles per hour. This may seem mundane compared to speeding on a highway, but on a dirt road running through some amazing scenery, it felt like 100 miles per hour.
We ended this run at an old mine near Route 748C. I say close because the trail ends long before the mine, so we had to go through uncharted trails. At the mine, we explored and then used the RMAX4 to thread a very narrow and steep slide back to the trail. That was thrilling, and the Yamaha professional photographers captured it.
That reminds me. Those same photographers captured every moment of our adventure all along the rides. I will share those photos when they become available.
At the end of the second day, we enjoyed our hot shower, then gathered again for drinks and dinner. During dinner, the photographers displayed a slideshow of our adventures on a big-screen TV. We got to see all those awesome moments of the ATV group, and we also enjoyed the dirt bike group adventures.
That night, we said our goodbyes and thanked the Yamaha team for an amazing getaway.
Route:
- Route 742C
- Texas Creek/Trailhead
- Tellurium Creek / Route 742F
- Route 759
- Italian Creek
- Oliver’s Cabin
- Route 748C
- Old Mine
- Back to Taylor Park
Farewell
All good things must come to an end. The following day, we left early to catch our flights back to the four corners of the USA. My wife and I headed to Los Angeles via Denver. We reminisced about our wild adventure as we waited for our connecting flight.