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SEMA 2025: What Stood Out, What Fell Flat, and What’s Next for the 5280 Offroad
Alright, Tribe! We just got back from Overland Expo Mountain West, and let me tell you, if you weren't there, you felt it. For three days, Loveland transformed into the epicenter of all things overland and off-roading, a gathering where the passion for dirt, adventure, and meticulously built rigs was palpable in every corner. And 5280 Offroad? You know we were there, soaking it all in, eyes wide for the next level of grit.
2 days ago5 min read


Off-Grid Comms: Setting Up Starlink Mini for Your Rig and Staying Connected Beyond Cell Towers
Learn how to set up Starlink Mini in your 4x4 or overland rig for off-grid internet, safety, and communication across Colorado trails.
Nov 66 min read


Haunted Trails & Phantom Mines: Off-Roading Colorado's Spookiest Ghost Towns
Alright, 5280 Offroad Tribe, Halloween is creeping up and this year we are leaving the campfire tales behind for the real thing. Out here in the Rockies, the mountains hold more than switchbacks and scenery. They are dotted with ghost towns, forgotten mines, and places where shadows linger longer than they should. This season, we are diving into the history and mysteries of Colorado’s haunted high country.
Oct 304 min read


Colorado Trail Spotlight: Best Late-Season High Country & Low-Elevation Runs Before the Snow Closes Them
By mid-October, we’re staring down the final window before Colorado’s high-country gates swing shut. The aspens have dropped their last leaves, the air has that sharp bite, and every weather forecast could be the one that ends your alpine season for good.
Oct 235 min read


Cold-Weather Recovery Gear for Colorado Trails
Winter in Colorado’s high country isn’t just a season, it’s a proving ground. The kind where your recovery gear isn’t “nice to have,” it’s the line between rolling into camp with a good story and calling for a tow in sub-zero darkness. The snow stacks high, the wind cuts through layers, and the trails hide ice under fresh powder. If you wheel here from November to April, your recovery kit better be built for the cold — because the mountains don’t give second chances.
Oct 164 min read


Gear Review: Portable Power Stations - The Future of Overlanding Power in Colorado
Alright, 5280 Offroad Tribe, let’s talk camp power. For decades, if you wanted reliable juice in the backcountry, you lugged along a gas generator or wired in a dual battery system. They worked, but at the cost of noise, fumes, complexity, and maintenance. Today, portable power stations are changing that story. We’re not just talking theory. On a recent fall trip, I put two units the Bluetti EB3A and Bluetti AC200P through a real-world test. The results?
Oct 97 min read


Switzerland Trail Spotlight: History, Views & Easy Adventure on the Front Range
Sometimes, the epic adventure you're craving isn't a grueling multi-day expedition deep into the San Juans. Sometimes, it's about hitting the dirt just a stone's throw from the Front Range, soaking in sweeping views, and stepping back in time. If you're looking for an accessible taste of high-country history and stunning vistas, then the Switzerland Trail, just outside Nederland, should be firmly on your radar.
Oct 24 min read


Top 5 Things to Know Before You Go Off-Roading in Colorado
Alright, 5280 Offroad Tribe! Colorado is a state synonymous with breathtaking views, rugged terrain, and the kind of high-country adventure that gets your blood pumping. For those of us who live for that moment when the pavement ends and the dirt begins, there’s no better playground on earth. But to truly Explore Beyond Limits—and to do so safely and responsibly—it takes more than just a capable rig. It takes knowledge, preparation, and a commitment to the unwritten code of t
Sep 255 min read


Fall Foliage Updates: Colorado’s Hidden Fall Off-Road Trails
Alright, 5280 Offroad Tribe - leaf-peeping season in Colorado is kicking into high gear, and the high country is lighting up with golds, reds, and ambers. We’re right at the start of peak color above 10,000 feet, which means the next two weeks are prime time for chasing fall magic before wind, weather, and early snow start stripping the branches.
Sep 186 min read


Tread Lightly! in Colorado: A Guide to Responsible Trail Use
Alright, 5280 Offroad Tribe! We live for that moment when the pavement ends and the dirt begins. That feeling of freedom as you navigate a challenging pass, the roar of your engine echoing through a canyon, the breathtaking views from a high alpine meadow – that’s the essence of off-roading in Colorado. It’s where we're Born at elevation. Forged in mud. Grit is earned.
Sep 116 min read


Fall Foliage by 4x4: Colorado Trails for Autumn Views
Alright, 5280 Offroad Tribe! If you thought summer in Colorado was peak beauty, just wait. As September rolls in, our mountains undergo a transformation that's nothing short of spectacular. We're talking about that golden hour, stretched across entire valleys, where the aspens ignite in a fiery blaze of yellow, orange, and red. And let's be honest, there's no better way to experience this natural masterpiece than from the driver's seat of your 4x4, deep in the backcountry.
Sep 48 min read


Recap: 5280 Offroad Takes on Overland Expo Mountain West
Alright, Tribe! We just got back from Overland Expo Mountain West, and let me tell you, if you weren't there, you felt it. For three days, Loveland transformed into the epicenter of all things overland and off-roading, a gathering where the passion for dirt, adventure, and meticulously built rigs was palpable in every corner. And 5280 Offroad? You know we were there, soaking it all in, eyes wide for the next level of grit.
Aug 285 min read


Essential Gear for Summer Off-Roading: Staying Hydrated and Protected on Colorado Trails
Summer in Colorado is in full swing, and that means the high country is calling. From the lush alpine meadows to the rugged passes, the trails are open, vibrant, and begging for adventure. While the snow has retreated, summer brings its own unique set of challenges – intense sun, afternoon monsoons, and the sheer physical demands of exploring at elevation.
Aug 215 min read


Gear Review: Midland MXT575 Our Go-To Trail Radio for Serious Off-Road and Overlanding Comms
When the stakes are high – whether it’s spotting a buddy through a tricky section, calling out a hazard to the convoy, or coordinating a recovery – relying on cell signal is a fool's errand. That’s precisely where rock-solid communication earns its stripes, and why the Midland MXT575 MicroMobile® 50-Watt GMRS Radio has become our go-to.
Aug 146 min read


Summer Trail Report Update: Navigating Colorado's High Country in Mid-Summer
Late July and early August in Colorado's high country is where the true grit is earned, and the most epic stories are forged! The peaks are calling, the passes are mostly open, and the trails are buzzing with adventure. But as any seasoned trail blazer knows, just because the snow has (mostly) melted doesn't mean the mountains are done throwing challenges our way.
Aug 75 min read


Recap: The 5280 Offroad 2025 Alpine Loop After-Action Report
Alright, Tribe, we just wrapped up something truly special, something that etched itself into our rigs and our souls. The 2025 5280 Offroad Alpine Loop Experience wasn't just another wheeling trip; it was a pilgrimage. Five days. Five historic mining towns. Twelve technical passes. And for our crew and those that joined us, it was one unforgettable journey where every obstacle we conquered deepened the legend of our machines and forged bonds tighter than a recovery strap und
Jul 316 min read


Unraveling Off-Road Trail Ratings: Your Guide to Trail Confidence
Confused by trail ratings? From mysterious "5" ratings to "Moderate to Difficult" labels, choosing the right trail can feel like guesswork. This guide decodes numerical (1-10) and descriptive rating systems, helping you match trails to your rig's capabilities and skill level. Learn to read between the lines, avoid common misconceptions, and build confidence for Colorado adventures. Grit is earned through preparation, not luck.
Jul 247 min read


Part 5: Trail Execution and Coming Home with Hero Stories from your Extended Off-Road Adventures
Part 5: Trail execution separates legendary expeditions from disasters. Morning routines, trail discipline & problem-solving systems that turn preparation into hero stories when Murphy's Law strikes at 12,000 feet. Born at elevation. Forged in mud. Grit is earned through execution.
Jul 177 min read


Part 4: Gear that Works when Everything Else Doesn't for Extended Off-Road Adventures
Most off-roaders think expensive gear saves trips. Wrong. Basic gear + knowledge are vital when it comes to wheeling in remote areas. Part 4: Learn what gear actually works vs. what just empties your wallet. Grit is earned through competence, not credit cards.
Jul 108 min read


Part 3: Off-Road Route Planning that Prevents Disasters for Extended Off-Road Adventures
Route planning separates legendary expeditions from expensive rescue operations. Strategic planning that accounts for reality, not dreams.
Part 3: Route Planning That Prevents Disasters drops Thursday. Grit is earned through preparation. #5280Offroad
Jul 38 min read
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