BUSHDUCKS COLORADO JEEP TRAILS
WHEN ARE THEY PASSABLE?
DATES FOR 2005

The status of many popular high elevation 4x4 trails in Colorado is listed below and updated as the trails open or close. The list only includes the main trails and the voluntary updates come from many sources, including the National Forest service, the BLM, and interested individuals. As the Colorado mountain weather can be highly unpredictable, please check with the relevant information body yourself for any recent changes. Conditions can change without notice. It is also subjective - a trail one person says is open, may be considered too dangerous to travel by another.

As a guide, you can view the dates and information from the 2004 Season,2003 Season, the 2002 Season or the 2001 Season. The 2003 season was pretty average for opening dates, but the 2002 season was a dry, low snowpack year, so some dates were a lot earlier than usual. The 2004 snowpack in Colorado was mixed. Low snowpack on the front range, higher than normal in the San Juans. Keep an eye on this page for frequent updates in season. Where passes are left blank, no current information has been submitted.

This list is intended as a guide only and no responsibility is taken for any incident arising from mis-information. The ultimate responsibility as to whether the trail is safe to travel, within the capabilities of yourself and your vehicle, or indeed open at all, is taken by YOU.

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TRAIL NAME	NATIONAL FOREST NAME/DISTRICT	PHONE NUMBER	STATUS	DATE UPD.
Argentine Pass/Waldorf Mine	White River/Dillon	970-468-5400	Open	7/17/05
COMMENTS: 7/17/05 - Road is open all the way from Guanella pass to the top of Argentine Pass. Road is in good condition. A little rough at the start, and a few other places, but nothing serious. The few creek crossings that there are, are not a problem. Only a few inches deep. Lots of ATV travel. 6/24/05 - The trail was clear up to the mine and beyond. Heading to Argentine we got up past the gas line maintenance area and turned back because of the squeak in my right seat, "We are going to get stuck." It can be negotiated with care but beyond that the snow is still blocking some of the road. Going up past the mine to climb the hill to the divide the road was open about 1/2 up and then snow blocked a couple of tight turns...no way to get through. We took both the lower and upper trails to the mine and then over to the old miners cabin. All were clear and fun. Creek was running pretty good and made the day even more fun.
Ballard Road	Fort Collins Region		Partially open	5/28/05
COMMENTS: To get to Ballard Road, take the Rist Canyon highway out of La Porte to Stove Canyon road. Turn left for four miles to county road 44H. Ballard Road is about 10 miles down this road. We started at the bottom and went as far as we could. Eventually snow blocked our pat after several miles up the hill. This trail was clear at the bottom. The higher you go, the more snow you may encounter across the road. It is a rockier trail at the top. The day we were there it did snow on us. FYI - The gate was still closed on the Moody Hill trail (Moody Hill is a trail with great steeps). It is also the portal to Crystal Mountain, which is a great, challenging trail.
Bangs Canyon	BLM
COMMENTS:
Bill Moore Lake	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Open	7/9/05
COMMENTS: 7/9/05 - Trail was open all the way. Lots of campers up there. The mud pit is pretty much dried up. Can drive through without any problems. 6/11/05 - Trail was not open all of the way. Large snow drifts block the way just past a little side spur labeled, "183.1C." This trail is close to the Denver Metropolitan area and does take some abuse. While we were on the trail, we saw people taking closed trails. We asked them to leave the "No Motor Vehicles" road (clearly marked) and to assist all 4-wheelers to keep this trail open by not using them. Please "Tread Lightly" as it is important to all of us that enjoy the trail.
Birdseye Gulch	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	9/17/2005
COMMENTS: 9/17/2005 - This trail is for longer wheel bases. We got the mighty Jeep mired in the upper bog. The area had been getting rain and the bog was filled with a quagmire of interesting smells and wet things!The winch pulled us out. Below the bog is a cambered slope that made us look over the bottom of the hill to make sure it was passable. There were no vehicles there, so we continued down. Very fun!
Black Bear Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Probably Closed	10/9/05
COMMENTS: 10/9/05 - Entrance is in about 5 to 6 inches of snow, didnt go any further. 8/12/05 - We were determined to get up our guts and go this year...we'd done all the other trails in the area. On August 11 we set out, following my brother in another jeep - he had already been down it earlier that week. It was so rainy and foggy we decided it wasn't worth the risk and so we went on over to Silverton and then did the Alpine Loop. Friday morning (8/12) was bright and sunny - we got halfway down Black Bear and one of the Switzerland of America guys was heading back our direction...he said the bad rain the night before had washed a huge, jeep-size boulder down onto the 2nd switchback - no one could get around it - everyone that was in front of us was having to turn around and come back up. We were so bummed - maybe next summer. He told us later that night it would take them several days to clear the boulder (I'm sure it's moved by now), but our chance was ruined because we had to head home. The top of that trail is some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see in your life! 7/23/05 - No way we were going to attempt this in our Suburban - but saw many jeeps coming down the switchbacks while we were at Bridal Veil Falls on 7/23- so pass is definitely open. 7/22/05 - I ran this trail on Friday. Open all the way and absolutely spectacular...my first time on this one. The trail was in great condition...just what I expected from trip reports I had read about from previous years. 7/24/05 - Open according to the Forest Service. 7/15/05 - Snow. Snow. More snow. 6/29/05 - Still socked in by snow.
Blowout Pass	Rio Grande/Divide	719-657-3321
COMMENTS:
Bolam Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/29/05
COMMENTS: 7/29/05 - Pass is now open. 7/9/05 - Open on Hermosa Creek side, blocked by snow on Dolores side 6/29/05 - Blocked by a slide south of the Graysill Mine.
Boreas Pass	White River/Dillon	970-468-5400
COMMENTS:
Breakneck and Browns Passes	Pike/Fairplay	719-836-2031	Open	9/9/05
COMMENTS: 9/9/05 - Lovely narrow trail. Aspens are starting to change color above 8,500 feet. This trail will be glorious for golden aspen color in a couple of weeks, especially around Breakneck Pass and the offshoots. The climb to Browns Pass from Sheep Creek is very scrabbly, loose, and rutted; could be very challenging for stock vehicles.
Bunce School Trail System	Boulder	303–541-2500	Open	5/30/05
COMMENTS: 5/30/05 - This is a Boulder County trail that goes from (about) Allenspark to Camp Dick roughly paralleling CO72. The trail is marked as "115." We drove the trail from Camp Dick to the old Bunce school. It was clear all of the way. Trail was open and clear even though we witnessed it through waves of rain and hail. We rather stumbled upon this trail system. There are trails that spiderweb throughout the back country up here. It was fun to explore in the inclement weather.
Cinammon Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray BLM/Gunnison	970-240-5300 970-641-0471	Open	6/10/05
COMMENTS: 6/10/05 - Trail open all the way. Muddy in spots with large snow drifts plowed through. Lots of snow on mountains up high. Very pretty. 5/30/05 - Open, according to the Forest Service.
Corkscrew Gulch	Uncompahgre/Ouray BLM/Gunnison	970-240-5300 970-641-0471	Open	8/25/05
COMMENTS: 8/25/05 - Be aware when traveling through the yellow-orange dirt on this road when it's wet. It feels a lot like grease! It can make this rather tame route seem quite sporty. The area of most concern is about 1.5 miles up from HWY 550 on the east side of the trail. 7/24/05 - Definitely a sharp turn to the road from Silverton! The roads were decent - side roads at the top and down past the switchbacks were not passable due to some snow still blocking them (behind restrooms). Main road was a little muddy but no problems. There were a lot of downed trees in the area, but none blocking the road enough to make it not passable. The various creek crossings were easy, even in the rain. A few side roads before and after the switchbacks not cleared of snow. This doesn't impede on the views or continuation of the road. 7/1/05 - Trail is now open. 6/1/05 - Was open to just past the yellow clay areas--almost to the pass,at the high point on this trail. In good shape up to the clay areas then a little slippery.
Cumberland Pass	San Isabel/Salida	719-539-3591	Open	7/2/05
COMMENTS: 7/2/05 - Open all the way. Very little sign of winter left! Trail was dry and clear all the way. 6/30/05 - According to information given me at the Miner's Exchange Store in St. Elmo, Cumberland Pass is now open. 6/19/05 - According to the Trading Post at Taylor Park all passes are still closed even Cumberland Pass that goes over to Pitkin. SNOW!!!!!!!!!
Cunningham Gulch	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	6/29/04
COMMENTS: 6/29/05 - Trail is open.
Elwood Pass	Rio Grande/Conejos San Juan/Pagosa	719-274-8971 970-264-2268	Open	7/3/05
COMMENTS: 7/3/05 - Open all the way. Trail is mostly dry with a few minor muddy spots; the lower half is very dusty. Elwood Creek is about 2 feet deep at the crossing but was no problem for a TJ with 2" lift & 31" tires. Wide variety of wildflowers including columbine. 6/8/2005 - The trail was blocked by snow at 11,300 Ft from the Platoro side.
Engineer Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray BLM/Gunnison	970-240-5300 970-641-0471	Open	7/9/05
COMMENTS: 7/9/05 - Very rough and rocky. Several sections force you to choose rock climbing or driving off-camber. Don't drive this road without skid plates and tough tires. (This comment refers to the Engineer Road section, between Hwy 550 and the Animas Forks Turnoff) 7/1/05 - Open all the way. Trail was a bit muddy near summit. Traveled from Animas Forks to Lake City. Rental Jeep stated he had come from highway 550 to summit without a problem. Lots of snow at summit but none on trail. Drifts were still 12-14' deep on Lake City side of summit. 6/3/05 - Open. A few muddy spots on the Lake City side. 5/13/05 - The Forest Service are currently plowing the road.
Georgia Pass	White River/Dillon	970-468-5400	Open	7/10/05
COMMENTS: 7/9/05 - Pass is open all the way. Conditions are as they are every year. 7/10/05 - Open all the way! Drove from South Park side, no problem. Lots of vehicle, ATV, and bike traffic. 6/26/05 - Travel from Breckenridge to Jefferson. Road is in good shape till the steep ascent just before the pass on the Breckenridge side. 2-3 foot drifts block the road and it looks like 4-5 foot drifts higher up the trail. You can see where people have gone off the side of the road to travel around the drifts. Where the trail is in the creek for about 70 yards, the water is no more than a foot deep. There is mud in places but does not hinder travel.
Governor Basin	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300 970	Open	7/16/05
COMMENTS: 7/16/05 - Open. Snow partially covered a short stretch of the last shelf road before the top. A vehicle with more aggressive tires than I have could possibly circumvent the snow and go all the way up into the Basin. Trail is rough and narrow in spots. No problems with the water crossings.
Hancock Pass	San Isabel/Salida	719-539-3591	Open	10/1/05
COMMENTS: 10/1/05 - Snow free and bone dry! 7/23/05 - Pass is open in both directions. No snow to report. Vegitation is lush and green despite high temps down low. comments = Surprisingly not many people on this pass for a weekend. Enjoyed every bit of it. 7/5/05 - Hancock looked like it had been open for just a few days. 6/10/05 - Got 0.5 miles past the town sight of Hancock. Snow drifts too big to go through. 5/30/05 - An easy ride to the Hancock townsite from St. Elmo. At the fork, just south of Hancock (left) encountered 18" of snow and went no further. Someone had traveled on with chains.
Hagerman Pass	San Isabel/Leadville White River/Sophris	719-486-0749 970-963-2266
COMMENTS:
Hayden Pass	Rio Grande/Saguache San Isabel/Salida	719-655-2547 719-539-3591
COMMENTS:
Hurricane Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/15/04
COMMENTS: 7/2/05 - Definitely open. Trail is in good condition from Silverton to Huricane Pass and from there to Animas Forks via Calfornia Gulch. 7/1/05 - Open according to the Forest Service.
Imogene Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/28/05
COMMENTS: 7/28/05 - The water crossing as you turn onto Imogene from Yankee Boy Basin Road is deep and swift, but I made it across in a stock Jeep Wrangler. Use the bridge if you have any doubt of you vehicle's ability. The first couple of miles remain wet in places and quite rough. The climb up the shelf road to the top and the descent into Tomboy is in good shape. The road from Tomboy to Telluride is rougher than I remember it from last year. 7/23/05 - It was pouring on our 7/23 attempt. 4-wheelers who passed us at the bridge turned around and came back down telling us they weren't going to attempt it - really muddy. Another rental jeep went up and came back down. He advised it was too slick and narrow. 7/19/05 - Trail Open all the Way from Telluride to Ouray. Little rough on the back side (normal). Not as much snow as years past. 7/17/05 - Open? Three different tour companies in Ouray told me that Imogene remained impassable at the very top. A tour driver who volunteers as a spotter for the Ouray County bulldozer driver, said anyone trying to cross the pass before the plowing was finished next week was "asking for trouble." 7/15/05 - Also received an email from visitor information - they advised that 'Imogene Pass is open to the public, high clearance is required, and road is muddy'. 7/15/05 - Open only to the lookout just above tree line from Ouray side. Ouray County bulldozer driver reported that they encountered huge amounts of snow and ice as they approached the pass. The road will be open 7/19/05 at the earliest. They did not seem optimistic about this date. The crews who clear passes such as Imogene work very hard in a very risky situation just so people like us can have fun. They deserve our respect, admiration and thanks. 7/10/05 - Reports from snow clearing crews are that they expect to have pass cleared on or about 7/13 and actually open it for travel a day or so later. 7/1/05 - Still closed according to the Forest Service.
Italian Creek Road/Upper Reno Divide	Gunnison/Gunnison	970-641-0471	Open	7/25/05
COMMENTS: 7/25/05 - Open. Traveled west to east. Went up to American Flag. Dry enough. 6/30/05 - Traveled from Crested Butte side. Took lower road. Trees down in several spots. Broke through several 3-4' snow drifts. Stopped about 1/2 mile from American Flag (100 yard snow field on shelf). Closed to top of pass. Trail was wet and muddy. Several spots require speed to get through snow. Many muddy spots push you towards ledge with long drop-offs. Lots of tree falls that you have to spot around to stay on trail. Snow blockage about 1/2 mile from American Flag on Crested Butte side. Upper road was fully blocked by deep snow.
Jones Pass	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Open	10/8/05
COMMENTS: 10/8/05 - Went from Henderson mine on east side over Jones Pass to bottom on west side at Bobtail Mine in my Liberty. Forest Service has roads leading north and south 'temporarily' closed from Bobtail Mine area. Jones might not be passable after Sunday 10/9 due to snow forecast to arrive in the afternoon. Pass itself is in great condition today 10/8. Almost snow free. Conditions on both sides of pass were good. Some light mud in spots. shallow water/ice filled potholes. Can probably manage w/o 4wdr if you are careful...but using it makes it easier. Was a great relaxing drive. 7/16/05 - The Top is still blocked by a snow cornice. Probably won’t melt out until August. There is also a snowfield partially covering the road below the last switchback.
Kebler Pass			Open	7/15/05
COMMENTS: 7/15/05 - Pass is open all the way. Dry and dusty. Watch for Sheep being moved from pasture to pasture. 6/14/05 - Trail has been plowed near the top and is in very good condition. Side roads to Lost Lake, Lake Irwin, and Ohio Pass still unplowed and blocked by 1-3 feet of snow
Kelly Flats	Canyon Lakes	970-498-2770	Open	5/30/05
COMMENTS: 5/30/05 - We drove the entire trail from the Kelly Flats campground trail head to the end of the trail at CR69. Kelly Flats is about 25 miles West of Ted's Place on CO 14 (Poudre River Canyon). It is a well-known hard core 4X4 trail in Northern Colorado. The trail was clear and a lot of fun. There was a bog that had washed out the prior day. Vehicles were stuck in it for a while. We decided to winch through it and had no problems. The next 2 vehicles drove right through it (rains happened all night long, leaving a firm sand and gravel bottom for traction).
Kennebec Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/29/05
COMMENTS: 7/29/05 - Now open. 7/1/05 - Open to 4-wheel-drive section at intersection with road to Columbus Mine.
Kingston Peak	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Open	8/13/05
COMMENTS: 8/13/05 - Open all the way from Apex Road all the way over the top and down into Alice. The trail was dry & dusty. I ran the trail from the north with no problems at all. I saw a half-dozen ATV-ers a way out in front of me that didn't think they needed to stay on the trail. 6/19/05 - Is still snowed in on the NORTH and EAST side. Was all clear from ALICE clear over the top, you could make the curve where the lake is.
Lamartine/Saxon Mountain	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Open	6/4/05
COMMENTS: 6/4/05 - The trail had 1-2" of fresh snow on it from the previous night's snowfall. It was open all the way from Georgetown to Idaho Springs. Side trails were open as well. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Lead King Basin	White River/Sophris District	970-963-2266	Open	7/6/05
COMMENTS: 7/6/05 - Clear and dry in all difficult spots from Crystal City to the basin. On the way back down from the summit, there is a small drift 50-75 ft long that is narrow enough to drive on the side to get past. Further down, the creek has undercut the bank, but it's possible to drive 50 ft down stream on the bank, cross, and go back up the other bank. Stream at the top of 31" tires at deepest.
McAllistair Gulch	White River/Holy Cross	970-827-5715	Open	6/25/05
COMMENTS: 6/25/05 - The trail is open both directions, from Camp Hale, and from Red Cliff. No major problems. Trail is wet in spots, but no major blockages.
Medano Pass	Rio Grande/Saguache San Isabel/San Carlos	719-655-2547 719-269-8500	Open	7/2/05
COMMENTS: 7/2/05 - Trail is open. While the seven crossing of Medano Creek are navigatable, one is fairly deep (Three to four feet). Eastern travelers should plan on deflating their tire pressure on the last leg of the trip into the Sand Dunes.
Mill Creek/Red Elephant Trail	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Open	6/12/05
COMMENTS: 6/12/05 - We found this trail while exploring the area around Empire Colorado. This trail connects to the Bill Moore Lake trail at one point. The trail does go through. The trail is marked as, "171.3C." This is an official trail and has been adopted for trail maintenance by a 4-wheel drive club. It offers a little of everything. There are muddy areas; rocky areas; tight, close trees along the trail; & tight turns. It makes for a fun trail for people new to the sport. The trail is well marked and easy to follow
Moody Hill			Open	6/22/05
COMMENTS: 6/22/05 - Gate is now open.
Mosquito Pass	Pike/South Park San Isabel/Leadville	719-836-2031 719-486-0749	Open	8/20/05
COMMENTS: Open all the way. A few areas on the east side have loose rocks (above the mine) and holes that required some effort to get around. We were using a stock Land Rover Freelander. 7/20/05 - Open all the way. The last snowdrift has melted back just enough to allow passage. 7/4/05 - Not open just yet. From Alma, we were able to get up past the abandoned mine, but a couple of high elevation, deep snow spots prevented passage. A patch of mud and snow near the mining building was pretty slick. On the steeper sections or trail, a few large rocks seem to have moved closer to the center of the road. The snow should be gone within a week or two. There were 4 other vehicle headed up with us. We all had to stop at the same place due to the snow on the road. Still, a good time was had by all. 6/30/05 - Pass is still blocked by snow over the road at a switchback at the 12,000 foot level. This was Eastbound out of Leadville, on the West side of the pass. Was driving it in a Jeep Liberty with 4WD. 6/27/05 - Pass is still closed. Got as far as the North London Mine on the east side (Fairplay side)in a Jeep Liberty. Altimeter indicated 12,000 feet. Snow bank covered road at North London Mine to a depth of about 4 feet.
Mount Baldy/Captain Jacks	Pike National Forest/ El Paso County	719-836-2031
COMMENTS:
Ohio Pass	Gunnison	970-641-0471	Open	7/3/05
COMMENTS: 7/3/05 - The final slowslide has melted and the pass is open from Gunnison to Kebler. Road is in good shape. Two wheel drive all the way.
Ophir Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/23/05
COMMENTS: 7/23/05 - Absolutely no problems, even in the rain. 7/1/05 - Now open. A wonderfully scenic and easy drive. 6/10/05 - Trail just opened on the East Side to summit of pass. 5/23/04 - Open to the top on the east side.
Owl Creek Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray BLM/Gunnison	970-240-5300 970-641-0471	Open	8/8/05
COMMENTS: 8/8/05 - Washboard road. Does not require 4wd. Several regular autos were driving the road. 5/30/05 - From the Ridgway side, the trail is open to the top of Owl Creek Pass. There are several muddy spots near the top and an impassable snow bank at the summit.
Pearl Pass	Gunnison/Gunnison	970-641-0471	Open	8/20/05
COMMENTS: 8/20/05 - Trail is open all the way. Small area with a little snow, but not dangerous at all to cross because it is in a flat area. All the shelf snow areas are clear! 8/7/05 - Went up Aspen side. Got all the way up into the moraine before I got stopped by a drift. Montezuma basin clear to the top. The drift has tracks across it, probably easy going down. only a couple more weeks... 7/18/05 - Don't plan on this opening anytime soon. There is still a huge snow drift just past the cabin near the top. 7/4/05 - Blocked with snowdrifts/slides on Aspen side. At left turn from Montezuma basin, first blockage, about 3ft deep, another just above old cabin at creek crossing. Lots of drifts above that. Probably at least 3 more weeks of hot weather before access to rock garden possible.
Poughkeepsie Gulch	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/26/05
COMMENTS: 7/26/05 - Ran Poughkeepsie all the way and there is a lot of downed trees and water on the trails. No problem getting to the "play ground" but playground muddy & slick. 7/9/05 - I was really looking forward to this trail. I have heard a lot about it. We passed it originally on 7/7 via the Engineer Pass side (bottom?). It looked wonderful, but we were pressed for time and decided to wait. We were planning on taking it on Saturday afternoon via Corkscrew Gulch. When we got to the top, we were disappointed to see that there were snow drifts all over the top and that it was still impassable. The San Juan mountains were hit with heavy snow loads this year. As you take the trails in San Juan county, you'll notice that there were avalanches in several places and that there is a lot of forest damage. Snow level is still high. Kudos to the road crews that have cleared the snow from the trails. The walls of snow are still high on both sides (two Jeep heights). Expect a late season to travel many of the trails there in that high country.
Ptarmigan Pass	White River/Holy Cross	970-827-5715	Partially open	6/25/05
COMMENTS:   6/25/05 - The trail is not open all the way, there are snow drifts towards the summit of the pass. You can not make the last 100yds. up the pass because of 1-2 ft. of snow drifts. Trail condition is high water crossing after you leave McAllistair Gulch, and gets muddy towards the summit.
Radical Hill	White River/Dillon Pike/South Platte	970-468-5400 303-275-5610	Open	8/14/05
COMMENTS: 8/14/05 - Open all the way. We did trail work with a Ranger to close off the off-trail areas that people have or are starting to drive on. One is the short rocky hill climb section on the right. Please stay off these.
Red Cone	White River/Dillon Pike/South Platte	970-468-5400 303-275-5610	Open	7/7/05
COMMENTS: 7/7/05 - First of all, we called the Ranger station. They said that they were working hard at Redcone and the return via Webster (upper handcart). I did not ride the trail, but in passing via the US 285, the sign did say that Redcone is open and Webster is closed.` 6/4/05 - Gate was still closed at the base of the trail off of CR565.
Rollins Pass - East Side	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Partially open	7/17/05
COMMENTS: 7/17/05 - Road is open until you get to a little 50-foot drift covering the road 1.5 miles from the top. I suppose an intrepid jeeper would risk an off-camber slippery crossing, but for stock vehicles it seemed a bit too risky. I'd say give it another 2 weeks to clear. Rollins is not a thru pass - tunnel has been closed since 1988. It's interesting for the history, the rail. 6/18/05 - Was open kind of pretty close to YANKEE DOODLE LAKE. I say kind of as we were ATVs and went thru a couple places that full sized vehicles wouldn't have made it. We also did trail 502 for the bottom end toward the top got well past the old cabin but ran into snow agin. will be a couple of weeks at least.
Red and White Mountain	White River/Holy Cross	970-827-5715
COMMENTS:
Schofield Pass	White River/Sophris District	970-963-2266	Very doubtful	8/19/05
COMMENTS: 9/29/05 - Trail is still not open. It is still blocked below the iron bridge. I have a Jeep with lockers and 33" tires. As I like my Jeep and do not wish to add any additional trail pinstriping, I decided not to continue over the snow bank. As I approached from above, even going over with lockers, there was a definite chance that the Jeep would have filled the considerable gap (crack) that the trail offered. I would not recommend it. 8/19/05 - Trail is open, but with MUCH caution! Below the metal bridge where the shelf road hugs the east side and approximately a quarter mile above timber line there is a snow area that covers the shelf road. The road is covered with snow that is embedded with rocks and timber from an avalanche during the winter. The snow area is about three hundred yards long. We drove down it very early in the day before melting and did fine. We came back up it mid afternoon and only the Jeep with full lockers made it. The partially locked vehicles had to be winched. Investigating further, we found the snow is over five feet thick in places where we were driving over it! It is also hollowed out under the snow from water melting. After seeing this, I don't think the road should be listed as "open". It is potentially a very dangerous road right now if someone falls in thinking this road is open. I would not recommend taking this road at all unless you are fully locked and have full recovery equiptment and are with a group of experienced four-wheelers. The road through the Devil's Punch bowl is open and dry. The road from Marble to about a quarter mile above timber line is dry and open. Lead King basin is totally open and dry too. Don't try Schofield unless you are willing to accept a potentially very dangerous outcome! 8/13/05 - In my 00 Cherokee I traveled from Crested Butte to Marble over Schofield Pass. The trail was open all the way. The snow field just beyound the bridge is wet on the surface, and with all the winter plant refuse, it's slick & boggy. The trail narrows to a vehicle width on the blind curve at the bottom before starting the climb up to Crystal. With the exception of an oncoming Jeep Wrangler and a ton of ATVs in the snow field, it was still a great Saturday afternoon drive. 8/4/05 - Got to top of Punch Bowl from Crested Butte side found a snow field that may have been traveled by ATVs but not passible by truck. The rest of the punch bowl looked OK. 7/2/05 - Traveled from Crested Butte. Trail was completely blocked by snow just north of FS 811. Could see snow fields all the way to pass that were DEEP. Many avalanches have taken out numerous trees. Spoke to local in Crested Butte who stated road will not be plowed and will likely not open this year due to heavy snowfall. 7/2/05 - Traveled from the Marble side. The canyon just below the Devil's Punchbowl is covered with 10+ft avalanche at least 200yds long. Maybe clear by August if left to melt. 6/18/05 - Emerald lake is inaccesable form the Crested Butte side via both Gothic and Washington Gulch routes. Deep snow blocks both routes and the nordic team was cross country skiing in the Washington Gulch road side. Still lots of snow, snow and more snow!
Scotch Creek	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Open	7/1/04
COMMENTS: 7/1/05 - Open, but in very bad condition. Must have very good 4-wheeling skills or could high-center easily.
Shrine Pass	White River/Sophris District	970-963-2266
COMMENTS:
Spring Creek	Pike		Open	6/18/05
COMMENTS: 6/18/05 - Trail is open all the way with cut back to Saxon Mountain and on to Georgetown or you can come back into Idaho Springs on the Mount Evans Road. Some wash outs but nothing that cannot be passable. It was a good trip and the Garden of the Rocks is still rocky... 6/4/05 - This time we took it from the top to bottom in inclement weather. It was open all of the way. This is a trail for modified vehicles. Although there is a go-around for the Rock Garden, it is best to use a modified vehicle for this trail. The Jeep has a 3.5" lift, 33X12.5" BFG TA/KOs and there were areas where a spotter was needed to get through some of the obstacles (and a try or two). It is a lot of fun, but you need to go prepared and follow your spotter's instructions!
Spring Creek Pass	Gunnison	970-641-0471	Mainly closed	4/26/05
COMMENTS: 4/26/05 - Trail became completely covered with 4-6" of snow approximately 3.0 miles up from where it starts south of I-70. That could also be 0.5 miles past the campground area. The switchback trail was partially snow-covered on the uphill side and gradually became completely covered. I would not consider it prudent to continue past this point due to the narrow trail and 1,000 ft drop back down to I-70.
Stony Pass	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	Partially open	6/24/04
COMMENTS: 7/2/05 - Extreme care needed at Pole Creek. Water levels are high to extremely high, and there is little traffic and no cellphone coverage if you get into trouble. Coordinates of Pole Creek are: N37.80 W107.46 (N37degrees, 48 minutes, 8 seconds, W107 degrees, 27 minutes, 57.8 seconds). 6/23/05 - Turned back at Pole creek, water too high. According to 6-24-05's post, I would have drowned out. Going from West toward the East, we got up to bottom of doors about two car lengths from the west bank, and water looked much deeper right next to the east bank. If water is high, the entry from the east bank looks to be the deepest of the whole crossing and may be too deep immediately to back out of. (Stock TJ with 31 inch tires) 6/24/05 - Pass is open both ways. Pole Creek is passable. At least for me and my '98 4Runner. Water came up to doors and ran over hood. Best to cross earliest in the day. 6/1/05 - Open to Pole Creek.
Swan and Wise Trail, middle fork	White River/Dillon	970-468-5400	Partially open	6/26/05
COMMENTS: 6/26/05 - Traveling from Breckenridge. The trail has a huge snowdrift just before timberline and is not passable. Trail was very rough as erosion has made the rocky sections very rocky with little fill dirt to hold the rocks in place. Travel past the cabin was toward the summit was very slow going due to the loose rocks.
Taylor Pass	Gunnison/Gunnison	970-641-0471	Partially open	7/12/05
COMMENTS: 7/12/05 - Coming up from the Aspen side, pass is nice and dry until you reach the summit. Going over the crest of the ridge, there is an approx thirty ft snow drift approx 2-5 feet deep blocking the road.Estimate another two to three weeks before able to even cut thru it. The east side looked very dry and manageable. 7/2/05 - Traveled from Taylor Reservior to summit. Trail was damp in places with some deep water crossings. Taylor River was 18" deep in trail where it overflows from stream. Made it to the lake at the south side of the pass. Pass still had at least 6' of snow blocking it. Shelf road just below pass also had several snow drifts on it. 6/26/05 - You can get up to about 200 yds from the top coming from the Pitkin side -- a friend of mine came all the way over from Taylor side on a dirt bike but said he had to travel over snow for long distances. ~10ft snow drifts will keep it closed for another week or two on the Pitkin side; Taylor side is still completely buried; road heading out Richmond ridge appeared to be clear. 6/19/05 - Trail blocked by snow on the NW shelf just below the pass (Aspen side), just past the final crossing of Express Creek. Campsites in the upper portion of the Express Creek valley are snow free. 6/19/05 - According to the Trading Post at Taylor Park all passes are still closed even Cumberland Pass that goes over to Pitkin. SNOW!!!!!!!!! 6/17/05 - Closed: Reached the lake from the Talor Res side on motorcycles. closed 1 mile earlier to jeeps. Snow is 6+ ft deep just past the sign at the base of the lake. Entire ridge is covered in deep snow it will be several weeks before this opens. Water is deep and snow blocks top 1?2 mile of trail
Tincup Pass	San Isabel/Salida	719-539-3591	Partially open	7/27/05
COMMENTS: 7/27/05 - Trail was open both ways. Snowfield on the east (St Elmo) side was not present on the road surface, just to either side. Old Tincup Pass was also passable. 7/9/05 - From St. Elmo the trail is open to within about 150 yards of the Summit. A 30-40 yard snow drift still blocks the road. The uphill side of the drift is still 7-8 feet deep and completely covers the road. 7/6/05 - Coming up from the west side (Tin Cup) you can travel to the summit, where the road is blocked by snow. Trail on the west side (Tin Cup) is pretty rough; prudent to take it slow. 6/30/05 - Drove part way up pass in a Jeep Liberty on the east side (St. Elmo side) of pass. Pass is still block by a patch of snow near the summit. Trail is extremely rough from St. Elmo to near summit on East side of pass. Condition of trail on West side of pass is unknown at this time. 6/18/05 - Trail is not open all the way. You can get to the Meadow Area, just below the summit, about 2 miles from it on the St. Elmo side. The reason for blockage is snow drifts on the last 1/2 miles to summit.
Tomichi Pass	Gunnison/Gunnison	970-641-0471	Open	10/2/05
COMMENTS: 10/2/05 - Open. Still no snow. 7/5/05 - Tomichi looked like it would take a while with large deep snowfields blocking the trail. 6/13/05 - Got as far as 1.6 miles past Tomichi cemetery in a jeep. Went through a number of snow banks, until they became too big. ATV's and 2 wheelers can go a little further.
Treasure Mountain Loop	Uncompahgre/Ouray	970-240-5300	)pen	7/1/04
COMMENTS: 7/1/05 - Open according to the Forest Service.
Uncompahgre Plateau Area
COMMENTS:
Webster Pass/Handcart Gulch	White River/Dillon Pike/South Platte	970-468-5400 303-275-5610	Open	7/23/05
COMMENTS: 7/23/05 - Open! All the way! We had seen people on quads trying to dig through last weekend, but we were sure that they wouldn't. We cleared Redcone and on the way down to Webster we saw two full-size pickups pass the snowdrrift on the outside edge with plenty of clearance. So, it is clear and open all of the way now! 7/7/05 - First of all, we called the Ranger station. They said that they were working hard at Redcone and the return via Webster (upper handcart). I did not ride the trail, but in passing via the US 285, the sign did say that Redcone is open and Webster is closed.` 6/4/05 - This trail stopped us at the base of the Upper Handcart trail. The shelf road had several snow falls across the trail still. Lots of snow at the top of Webster's pass still. Wet and muddy with plenty of snow yet. Sign at the beginning of CR60 does state that the passes (Redcone and Webster) are closed.
Weston Pass	Pike/Fairplay San Isabel/Leadville	719-836-2031 719-486-0749	Open	9/9/05
COMMENTS: 9/9/05 - Lovely easy and scenic drive, even though the pass was obliterated in driving rain when we crested it! Aspens are starting to change color above 8500 feet. Few rough spots on the west side of the pass keep this a high-clearance trail. The beaver's work is still diverting the creek over the road, but it's only around 12" deep. Excellent camping on the east side of the pass, above the NFS campground. 6/5/05 - Open all the way and dry except for a few spots high on the West side where snowmelt is running on the trail and a short water crossing near the bottom of the West side where a beaver dam has overflowed and flooded a short stretch.
Wheeler Lake			Open	7/9/05
COMMENTS: 7/9/05 - This trail is open all way to the end. The lower part of this trail is dry making the first two obstacles easier than when things are wet. The upper half of the trail was wet with one water trough being about 15 inches deep. A large rock located on the final climb up to Wheeler Lake has been moved. Larger vehicles will no longer need to drive on the soft shoulder, risking sliding off the trail. 6/15/05 - Trail was open up to about a 1/2 mile from the lake. i atv'd with small trailer in tow. I had some trouble on first rather large rock, but thanks to some help from 4x4's I winched myself over. The road was fine, wet most of the way, deep mud pits on one spot above tree line.I had no trouble until i was within 1/2 mi. of lake and had to dismount and walk the rest of the way to lake due to 4- 5 ft snow drifts blocking the road. weather was nice enough to camp out.
Yankee Boy Basin	Uncompahgre/Ouray BLM/Gunnison	970-240-5300 970-641-0471	Open	7/23/05
COMMENTS: 7/23/05 - Open with no problems past the restrooms. Beautiful wildflowers - very busy. Continued up toward Mt. Sneffels Wilderness to turn around. Rough at top, but manageable. All creek crossings were fun and passable. 6/1/05 - Open to the restrooms just past the twin falls. In good condition.
Yankee Hill	Clear Creek	303-567-3000	Open	5/30/05
COMMENTS: 5/30/05 - The trail is open all the way form the "Ghost Town" of Alice to Central City. You can enter the trail from either Central City (just take the main road all of the way up) or from the Central City Parkway to Nevadaville Road, or from Fall River Road just past the turn to Alice (look for "Mine Road").

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