BUSHDUCKS COLORADO JEEP TRAILS
WHEN ARE THEY PASSABLE?
DATES FOR 2009

Updated: 10/12/09

This is the page for the 2009 Colorado Pass page. we're already updating regularly. You can add to this page and
UPDATE HERE FOR 2009

Or, as a general guide, check out the 2008 information

The status of many popular high elevation 4x4 trails in Colorado is listed below and updated as the trails open or close. The list includes the main trails plus some 2wd access roads. 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 2008 season, 2007 season, 2006 season, 2005 Season, 2004 Season,2003 Season, the 2002 Season or the 2001 Season.

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. If in doubt, DO NOT TRAVEL. The inclusion of any trail on this page does not mean it is open or legal to travel. Conditions change, and trail status may change, sometimes without warning. Use common sense, and do not go around closure barriers.

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Jump straight to the trail you are interested in:
Alta Lakes Road Argentine Pass/Waldorf Mine Alpine Tunnel Ballard Road
Bill Moore Lake Birdseye Gulch Black Bear Pass Bolam Pass
Boreas Pass Blowout Pass Breakneck and Browns Passes Bunce County Trail System
California Gulch California Pass Caribou Creek Chinaman Gulch
China Wall Cinnamon Pass Coney Flats Corkscrew Gulch
Cottonwood Pass Cumberland Pass Cunningham Gulch Deer Creek
Eagle Rock Elwood Pass Engineer Pass Fourmile Area
Georgia Pass Gold Hill/Switzerland Trail Governor Basin Guanella Pass
Gunsight Pass Grizzly Lake Hagerman Pass Halfmoon Creek
Hancock Pass Hayden Pass Holy Cross City Hurricane Pass
Imogene Pass Independence Trail Iron Chest Italian Creek Road/Upper Reno Divide
Jenny Creek Trail Jones Pass Kebler Pass Kelly Flats
Kendall Peak and Kendall Mountain Kennebec Pass Kingston Peak Lamartine/Saxon Mountain
Lead King Basin Left Hand Canyon Maggie Gulch Marshall Pass
McAllistair Gulch Medano Pass Metberry Gulch Middle St. Vrain
Mill Creek/Red Elephant Minnie Gulch Moody Hill Mosquito Pass
Mount Antero Mount Baldy/Captain Jacks Mount Blanca/Como Lakes Mount Bross
Mount McClellan Ohio Pass Ophir Pass Owl Creek Pass
Pearl Pass Peru Creek Road Picayune/Placer Gulch Pomeroy Lake
Poughkeepsie Gulch Ptarmigan Pass Radical Hill Rampart Range
Red Cone Red Canyon OHV Park Red & White Mountain Rollins Pass
Saint John Schofield Pass Scotch Creek Sevenmile
Shrine Pass Slaughterhouse Gulch Spring Creek Spring Creek Pass
Stony Pass Taylor Pass Tincup Pass Tomichi Pass
Treasure Mountain Loop Twin Cone Uncompahgre Plateau Area Wager Gulch
Wearyman Creek (FS747) Webster Pass/Handcart Gulch Weston Pass Wheeler Geological Area
Wheeler Lake Williams Pass Yankee Boy Basin Yankee Hill

. 8/22/09 - Easy & open ; no mud . Snow on road's-edges Open to end @ Bobtail mine. Gated/ return to Henderson-mine /Empire.
8/16/9 - This trail is not open all the way. There is a drift on the east side which is about 15-17 feet deep. No motor vehicle can get to the summit from the East side. You can park, climb the drift and get to the top on foot only.
8/1/09- Open to 12,000. Large Snowbank near the top blocks the way. It looks like it will be at least two weeks.
7/7/09 - Still Snowed in at the top. Road is dry all the way to next to last switchback from the top. Blocked by snowfields.
5/31/09 - Open only about 1/4 mile from winter trailhead parking area. We hit snow almost right away, and turned back after passing the Butler Gulch entrance, but before the big clearing. Some quads appeared to have traveled farther up, and it might have been possible to continue in a truck to the clearing, but probably not any farther than that. 6/19/09 - Open all the way past the Carson townsite and over the top. This area is all clear and dry. The only snow is at the top of the pass where it has been plowed through.
TRAIL NAME NATIONAL FOREST NAME/DISTRICT PHONE NUMBER STATUS DATE UPD.
Alta Lakes Road Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/21/09
COMMENTS:
6/21/09 - Open and clear all the way to the lakes. We took a jeep up Saturday the 20th. It was easy and clear. There are some mud holes on the back side of the lake trail. Use caution when crossing them. We did our best to drive around them and still touched frame in one hole. Rubicon with 2" lift.
5/1/09 - Road is only passable for a bout 200 yards from Hwy 153. Encountered a problem right off the bat: a bout 200 yards up the hill from Hwy 153, a good-sized boulder (about 36"+ in diameter) has landed in the middle of the road and, to make matters worse, about 1/2 the roadway just past the boulder has washed out. The sum of those two related events is that the road is impassable by 4x4. I suppose you could make it on a mountain bike but it's going to need shored up before anyone will be getting up there this year. We didn't try to get up to the lakes from Mountain Village, but I've heard you can get there via san joaquin rd)
 
Argentine Pass/Waldorf Mine White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Closed 8/28/09
COMMENTS:
6/26/09 - Clear for a ways above Waldorf Mine. Some snow still on road. Did not try the snow from going up from the Guanella Pass side. As I was coming down, 2 forest service ATVs and about 6 4-wheelers were headed up. Maybe they cleared the road (just hoping).
6/6/09 - Open to Waldorf Mine. The first curve beyond the mine towards the pass covered in 2-3' of snow still.
 
Alpine Tunnel San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591 Open 7/12/09
COMMENTS:
7/12/09 - Trail open and dry all the way. No snow at all.
6/13/09 - Open all the way to the top. Some drifts and in some spots it can get narrow. Wet and snow pack in few spots.
5/25/09 - Trail is open up to the Palisades.There are a couple of snow drifts on the way up that stock 4x4's can handle. I would not advise tackling the drifts near the Palisades - you might slip and tumble hundreds of feet!
 
Ballard Road Fort Collins Region      
COMMENTS:
 
Bangs Canyon BLM      
COMMENTS:
 
Bill Moore Lake Clear Creek 303-567-3000    
COMMENTS:
 
Birdseye Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300    
COMMENTS:
 
Black Bear Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 7/28/09
COMMENTS:
7/28/09 - Open . Always go ONE-WAY = East to West downhill. Was more intense in 2007. Seems less so, now. Was grading done? Rental Jeeps are sent down now .Go slow, no big risk.
7/23/09 - Took the trail all the way from US 550 to Telluride in a stock 2008 Toyota Tacoma double cab. No scraping. 1st tight switchback was done with an easy 3 point turn.
7/9/09 - Trail is open all the way, we were told in town it was still closed due to a rock slide. We decided to see how far we could get and when we started down the switchbacks we where running in fresh dozer tracks. Not knowing if it was open added to the excitement at every turn. Our group of 3 H3's handled the switchbacks with one back up each. Trail was in good shape, some rocks were paint for cutting.
7/8/09 - Received a call from the San Miguel county road department that it was cleared and open as of 7/8/09. Enjoy.
7/5/09 - Pass is closed from top of Black Bear to Bridal Veil Falls. Blocked by dozer at top of pass. The trail had no snow on either side (from Telluride to Bridal Veil falls, from HWY 550 to top of Black Bear.
6/17/09 - Was able to get to the pass but the Telluride side has not yet been plowed. Trail was in good condition, but you have to go through several deep cuts in the snow, to get to the pass. The last cut just before the pass is above the top of my lifed TJ.
6/6/09 - Closed.
 
Blowout Pass Rio Grande/Divide    
 
COMMENTS:
 
Bolam Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 7/9/09
COMMENTS:
7/9/09 - The ranger station didn't know the status of the pass so we took a chance and found it completely open and dry all the way.
6/29/09 - There is a sign saying the road is closed, but we had no trouble. The road was very rough but doable. Some snow still on the ground but the road is clear.
 
Boreas Pass White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Open 6/24/09
COMMENTS:
6/24/09 - Road is fine. Accessible all the way from Como to Breckenridge. Did not notice any adverse road conditions that would interfere with travel for most vehicles.
6/609 - According to the USFS South Park Ranger District, Boreas Pass opened on 6/4/2009. The sign at the start of the pass on the Como side also says open. We did not ride it as the East side is only open to street legal vehicles.
 
Breakneck and Browns Passes Pike/Fairplay 719-836-2031    
COMMENTS:
 
Bunce School Trail System Boulder 303�541-2500 Open 5/17/09
COMMENTS:
5/17/09 - Trail Open All The Way. 2 Mudpuddles about 18" deep.
 
California Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300    
COMMENTS:
 
California Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/19/09
COMMENTS:
6/19/09 - Road open from Animas Forks across California Pass, Hurricane Pass and Corkscrew to 550 Road was wet with melting snow and some minor washouts. Awesome drive through cleared snowfields. No problems with stock Jeep JK.
6/6/09 - Open according to the Forest Service.
6/4/09 - Road open from Animas Forks to California Pass with the dozer almost to Hurricane Pass Muddy and wet but never needed lockers and barely low range.
5/28/09 - Approached from east or Animas Forks. Trail is open to flats below pass only. A CAT is working down there to clear the trail. So not near California Pass. Snow drifts have mud in them and just get through them. I expect the CAT will rework the road after California Pass is opened. Most snow fields have brown dust, which I have never seen in 20 years, on them unless it has just snowed. Temps were in 50s at noon so there is much melting due to both conditions. Animas, Alamosa, Conejos, Uncompahgre, Rio Grande, Gunnison, North Fork of Gunnison and Colorado seem to be extraordinarily high at the moment.
 
Caribou Creek Boulder 303�541-2500 Open 7/17/09
COMMENTS:
7/17/09 - Forest Service is reporting Trail is open.
6/4/09- gate closed at Caribou. Several snow drifts still on trail. lots of puddles from run-off also on trail.
5/17/09 - Gate Locked At Rainbow Rd
 
Carnage Canyon San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591 Open all year  
COMMENTS:
Completely open all year.
 
Chinaman Gulch San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591 Open all year  
COMMENTS:
Completely open all year.
 
China Wall Pike/Fairplay 719-836-2031 Open all year  
COMMENTS:
Completely open all year.
 
Cinammon Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray
BLM/Gunnison
970-240-5300
970-641-0471
Open 6/21/09
COMMENTS:
6/21/09 - Trail is open all the way. We traveled from Lake City to Silverton the pass was in great shape. It did snow 2 inches that day but none stuck on the pass road itself.
6/6/09 - The Alpine Loop is open from Ouray to Lake City and back to Silverton. Trails were mostly dry (some continuing snow melt, but not much mud). The spring foliage was amazing.
5/23/09 - Trail is open and plowed all the way.
 
Coney Flats Boulder 303-541-2500 Open 6/20/09
COMMENTS:
6/20/09 - Open.
 
Corkscrew Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray
BLM/Gunnison
970-240-5300
970-641-0471
Open 7/24/09
COMMENTS:
7/24/09 - Trail is open all the way. Trail is in fair to good condition. 1 or 2 tricky bits, but nothing too hard. Very steep.
6/21/09 - Open all the way. It was still wet and a little muddy with runoff but we made it all the way up from 550 to Hurricane Pass. Then onto California to Animas Forks where we took Engineer back to Lake City.
5/23/09 - Trail is open all the way. Muddy in spots.
5/22/09 - Lower Corkscrew is reputed to be muddy and slick when wet. It was wet when we drove it , but not very slick and certainly not dangerous. The switchbacks were wet, but again, challenging but not dangerous. The usual washouts along the switchbacks had recently been graded and were not a problem.
 
Cottonwood Pass San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Open 5/27/09
COMMENTS:
5/27/09 - Muddy on the Gunnison side.
 
Cumberland Pass San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Open 6/13/09
COMMENTS:
6/13/09 - Trail is open all the way from Tincup to Pitkin. Some snow pack and mud/wet spots along the route. Ok for 2 wheel drives.
5/23/09 - From the Silver Plume in Pitkin made it exactly 9 miles up before turning around. In stock Dodge Mega Cab pickup (not a snow buster) we stopped at 9 miles up. Snow was not real deep, but no tracks busted thru it either.
 
Cunningham Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 5/23/09
COMMENTS:
5/23/09 - Trail is open all the way.
 
Deer Creek White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Open 7/18/09
COMMENTS:
7/18/09 - From Montezuma went up Deer Creek to the top of Radical Hill. A little water but nothing deep. Just puddles. Looking down from the top the road south connecting to Webster pass does not look passable. There seems to be two or three snow fields left that block the road.
7/6/09 - Trail is open all the way to glacier ridge, but must come down the way you came up all connecting roads are blocked by small drifts.
 
Eagle Rock Teller County Near Colorado Springs    
COMMENTS:
 
Elwood Pass Rio Grande/Conejos
San Juan/Pagosa
719-274-8971
970-264-2268
Open 10/4/09
COMMENTS:
10/4/09 - We travelled eastward from Pagosa Springs over the pass to FR250. Beautiful drive. There were several inches of wet snow on the trail near the top, it was snowing hard at midday with an air temp of 34. No problem for my mud tires, but it would be slippery on street tires or A/Ts.
 
Engineer Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray
BLM/Gunnison
970-240-5300
970-641-0471
Open 7/30/9
COMMENTS:
7/30/09 - Open all the way from Lake City to Ouray but poorly or not marked on several forks in the road. Traveling from Ouray to Lake City seems better marked. Very rough from Engineer Pass down to Ouray, several switchbacks have extensive water damage-there have been heavy rains in the area.
7/13/09 - 0pen all the way. A bit muddy on top because of rain last few days. Lots of traffic, lots of quads.
6/6/09 - The Alpine Loop is open from Ouray to Lake City and back to Silverton. Trails were mostly dry (some continuing snow melt, but not much mud). The spring foliage was amazing.
5/28/09 - Open all the way. Previous afternoon snowed so we were first over from Lake City in 1" of fresh snow. Usual 20 ft. high drift east side of engineer pass. Oh, Point! not open yet. East side just below pass on flats is muddy so just ride the ruts. West side is rock so no problem.
5/25/09 - Trail is open and plowed all the way.
5/23/09 - Mineral Creek portion from 550 to the Mickey Breene Mine has been bladed, so we went that far with no problems in a stock Rodeo. Stopped just past the mine due to darkness. Relatively fresh bulldozer tracks to the mine, and beyond. Drove in light rain but the road was in good shape. No washouts but numerous small runoff crossings.
5/22/09 - Open to pass. Weather prevented our going any further. Lower Engineer is a s bumpy as it has traditionally been. Several water crossings were deeper than usual, but presented no problem. THe switchbacks leading to the pass were wet, slippery,and icy in places. The fog rolled in about half way up and added an element of concern. Visibility was almost zero in a few places. When we reached the top we turned around and returned home via Animas Forks and Silverton.
 
Fourmile Travel Area San Isabel 719-486-0749 Partially Open  
COMMENTS:
The majority of this region is open all year.
 
Georgia Pass White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Partially Open 6/21/09
COMMENTS:
6/21/09 - Traveled up Tiger Run and South Fork and gate was open to top. Large hard drift and 2 long snow packed areas prevented travel to top. Reached Meadow located before top.
 
Gold Hill/Switzerland Trail Boulder 303�541-2500    
COMMENTS:
 
Governor Basin Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300
970
Closed 7/18/09
COMMENTS:
7/18/09 - Encountered snow at exactly 2.1 miles in. All other trails in the area free of snow though.
5/12/09 - Trail is not open. Cleared only to locked gate where dozers are parked less than a mile past start of trail.
 
Grizzly Lake San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Open 6/29/09
COMMENTS:
6/29/09 - Has been open for 2 weeks. Trail the same as always, difficult creek crossing at the start. Fishing as excellent as always.
 
Guanella Pass White River/Dillon
Pike/South Platte
970-468-5400
303-275-5610
Closed 9/20/09
COMMENTS:
9/20/09 - The rock slide closure has closed the Guanella Pass Road from the north at Clear Lake. Everything north of Clear Lake is open. Most of the Pass is still open from the south by taking Highway 285 and going north from Grant.
8/28/09 - Road work & rock-slides on Guanella Pass Rd.
8/21/09 - Guanella Pass Road was closed by federal order at 10:45 AM on Friday 8/21. It is still closed between Clear Lake and Georgetown according to the CDOT website. We were lined up just above Georgetown waiting for the contruction zone to be opened when the flagger came down and announced the road was going to be closed indefinitely. We were told that rock above the Guanella Pass Road and the Georgetown water reservoir had become "dangerously unstable". There were a lot of very unhappy folks including ourselves that day.
6/28/09 - Open, but construction on Georgetown side. Slow in the 2 one-way road areas. Closed 9pm-6am and in the morning and afternoon weekdays for a couple of hours (sign on Grand Side). Other than that, a decent, quick drive.
5/17/09 - Pass closed about 12 miles from Georgetown coming from Bailey. Roads good.
 
Gunsight Pass White River/Sopris District 970-963-2266    
COMMENTS:
 
Hagerman Pass San Isabel/Leadville
White River/Sopris
719-486-0749
970-963-2266
Open 7/2/09
COMMENTS:
7/2/09 - Trail is open. A large snowbank reaching higher than the top of my suburban is split into by evidence of a bulldozer. Rain in the mountains continues to wet the trail as snow melts making it muddy. It took an hour and 10 minutes to travel from Leadville to the summit of Hagermans Pass. Views are stunning and the tunnel of snow cut by a bulldozer is really cool to drive through.
6/29/09 - Finally opened yesterday from the Leadville side. A giant cat with the largest snowplow I have ever seen cut thru 12 feet of snow at the top. It is a site to see! Just a narrow cut through the deep snow for about 200 yards. Without that happening I doubt the pass would have opened this year at all. Other than wet and muddy in spots it is good to go from Leadville all the way over to Aspen now. Lots of traffic on it this date, both ways.
6/20/09 - Trail is now open 3.4 miles past the tunnel and staging area, where the 4x4 road starts. Almost at the top, there is a hugh snowdrift across the road where the north facing slope curves to the west. This is the usual problem area every year.
6/14/09 - Can get only 2.6 miles up from the Carlton/Ivanhoe tunnel (staging area where the 4x4 road starts). Huge drift of snow over the road at this point. I walked another half mile up from there and only small drifts across the road,but until this big one melts or is plowed, that is the end.
5/26/09 - At the Ivanhoe Tunnel, where the 4x4 road starts up the pass (Leadville side), there is deep snow still on the road over 2 feet deep. It rained/snowed all Memorial Day Weekend so nothing melted up there.
5/23/09 - Plowed to junction with Ivanhoe Lake (from Fryingpan valley). Still covered with 2-3 feet of snow where rough road starts (Lyle Lake Trailhead).
 
Halfmoon Creek San Isabel/Leadville
White River/Sopris
719-486-0749
970-963-2266
Open 7/5/09
COMMENTS:
7/5/09 - Trail is open all the way. The river crossing at the North campground is very deep and went all the way up to the hood of my Land Rover
 
Hancock Pass San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591 Open 6/30/09
COMMENTS:
7/7/09 - Trail is open all the way. Seems a little rougher then last few years , but maybe I am a littler older ?? naw....
6/30/09 - ATV's are getting through but there are still some snowdrifts that may slow down jeep travel. Please stay on the designated road and don't drive off-road to avoid mud puddles.
6/21/09 - The trail is open to the treeline and first switchback where it is still blocked by snow.
 
Hayden Pass Rio Grande/Saguache
San Isabel/Salida
719-655-2547
719-539-3591
Open 7/12/09
COMMENTS:
7/12/09 - Open. Trail condition dry and good but rough.
6/22/09 - Hayden Pass is now open!
6/3/09 - Still closed by snow at the top of the pass.
 
Holy Cross City San Isabel/Leadville
White River/Sopris
719-486-0749
970-963-2266
Open 7/7/09
COMMENTS:
7/7/09 - Was open to the end at the trail head. Did not attempt the right leg past Holy Cross City. Was in lifted 07 FJ with 33's. Trail condition good. Had to winch up and down the final bolders of French Creek. Suffered rear bumper (all plastic destroyed) and undercarriage damage (non-critical scraping) at French Creek.
6/13/09 - Trail is open to Cleveland Rock, however there is still a lot of drifts to negotiate, try to stay on top of them. Be careful know your limits and stay on the trail. French Creek has changed a lot this year. Plan on spending some time to get over it. It's even fun for the buggys again.
 
Hurricane Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/22/09
COMMENTS:
6/22/09 - No problem at all traveling the entire pass. There are still tall walls of snow near the summit to drive through. The summit sign is laying on the ground, so you need to look for it if you want a summit sign photo.
6/19/09 - Open from Animas Forks to 550 through California Pass, Hurricane Pass and Corkscrew. From the east side approach to California Pass, through Hurricane pass, the road is wet in spots with snowmelt, but the snowfields were plowed and it is now passable.
6/6/09 - Open according to the Forest Service.
6/4/09 - Road open from Animas Forks to California Pass with the dozer almost to Hurricane Pass Hurricane looks like it should be open by the weekend Muddy and wet but never needed lockers and barely low range
 
Imogene Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 7/19/09
COMMENTS:
7/19/09 - Drove from the Telluride side all the way to Ouray. Trail was mostlly dry to whole way. More snow can be seen on the Ouray side of the pass. Wildflowers right now are spectacular. The gate through Camp Bird is open which cuts off some time to get to Ouray, but we didn't know it was a shortcut till we got to Ouray. (No signs at the junction.)
7/4/09 - Pass is open. Traveled from Ouray to top and back down to Ouray. No snow, but through the trees (on the flat ledge overlooking Camp Bird) is still a bit muddy and rutty. Optional creek crossing at beginning of trail (Camp Bird) was running about 25-30 inches deep.
6/26/09 - Officially open 06/26/09 per the San Miguel County Road and Bridge Dept. There was a mudslide earlier today that had to be cleared, so use caution due to the large amount of rain in the area.
6/19/09 - Imogene Pass was still closed at the top by a cat sitting in the entrance to the last cut through the snow. Apparently, there is still a problem. There is a turnaround just before the closure which is at about 12,000 ft. which makes for a nice trip even though one has to turn around.
6/17/09 - From the Ouray side the trail was open to the overlook that is just above timberline. The plow was working above and one of the crew said that the pass should be open in a couple weeks. Trail was in good condition and the water crossings were only slightly higher than they are in late summer.
6/13/09 - The trail is plowed, but it's closed. It's plowed all the way up, but it's blocked up at 12,000 feet - snow slid over the road.Mmuddy up around 10,500 feet. Didn't need lockers to get to the snow. There is a cat sitting up there, looks like they're working on it.
5/23/09 - Open to Yankee Boy Basin.
5/12/09 - Closed. Snowpacked at entrance on Yankee Boy side.
 
Independence Trail Canyon City      
COMMENTS:
 
Iron Chest San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Open 6/22/09
COMMENTS:
6/22/09 - The trail is open all the way to the top.
 
Italian Creek Road/Upper Reno Divide Gunnison/Gunnison 970-641-0471 Open 7/15/09
COMMENTS:
7/15/09 - Trail is clear all the way. Good conditions in general.
6/22/09 - The trail is open from the Taylor Park side past the mine to the trees. From this point it is blocked by snow.
 
Jenny Creek Trail Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Partially Open 7/12/09
COMMENTS:
7/12/09 - Jenny Creek is partially open, trail in great condition. Water levels low. Jenny Lake can be accessed. Only a small patch of snow remains on the access road. At the top you will need to winch over about 100 feet of snow drift. There is a winch anchor point on top of a large rock just past the snow drift. We were unsuccessful busting through in a couple a very built first gen toy trucks. With the winch, piece of cake.
7/3/09 - The trail is not fully open. It is blocked at the exit by a very large drift. Trail is in good condition with high water levels in the creek. Several large snow drifts must still be crossed near the beaver ponds.
 
Jones Pass Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Open 8/22/09
COMMENTS:
 
Kebler Pass        
COMMENTS:
 
Kelly Flats Canyon Lakes 970-498-2770    
COMMENTS:
 
Kendall Peak and Kendall Mountain Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300    
COMMENTS:
 
 
Kennebec Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/19/09
COMMENTS:
6/19/09 - Open to top of pass. Dry.
6/4/09 - Closed.
 
Kingston Peak Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Open 7/5/09
COMMENTS:
7/5/09 - Open all the way.
6/6/09 - Trail is open and in good shape from Alice until you get about 1/2 mile from James Peak Trailhead. 3 large snow drifts block the trail. Looks like some tried to go around the first, but were stopped by the second drift.
 
Lamartine/Saxon Mountain Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Open 7/6/09
COMMENTS:
7/6/09 - Open. Trail condition good.
 
Lead King Basin White River/Sopris District 970-963-2266 Open 7/11/09;
COMMENTS:
7/11/09 - Traveled from Crystal up into Lead King Basin and then down into Marble. No problems whatsoever in my stock 2000 Grand Cherokee. A few tight spots, but very doable if you have any 4 wheeling experience. Lots of traffic between Marble and Crystal.
 
Left Hand Canyon Boulder 303�541-2500    
COMMENTS:
 
Maggie Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/6/09
COMMENTS:
6/6/09 - Open according to the Forest Service.
 
Marshall Pass San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Likely open 5/27/09
COMMENTS:
5/27/09 - Likely open all the way, but went 10 miles up from Monarch Pass side. Very muddy and slippery. Four wheel drive required. Runoff is primary cause of mud and streams in the area are blown out. Extreme caution is required both for safety and to keep from tearing up the muddy road.
5/21/09 - Drove 10 miles up from the Monarch Pass side. Very muddy and slippery from run off and rain. Four wheel drive required most areas due to extreme mud. Significant caution is required both for safety and to prevent damage to road.
 
McAllistair Gulch White River/Holy Cross 970-827-5715 Open 8/22/09
COMMENTS:
8/22/09 - Yes, all open & no blocks. Go slowly over rocks. easy creek crossings. Rough but you wanted this.
6/24/09 - Made it up 3/4 of the way before encountering snow and deep mud across trail preventing further travel. Some mud but generally in good condition most of the way.
 
Medano Pass Rio Grande/Saguache
San Isabel/San Carlos
719-655-2547
719-269-8500
Open 5/30/09
COMMENTS:
5/30/09 - Traveled the pass North to South 5/30 but a large mud hole exists just to the Dunes side of the pass which was stopping all stock trucks. Lifted, locked Land Cruiser made it without help. Ranger at the Dunes mentioned that they might be closing for repairs at this section, call before attempting. Water on Dunes side was no more than 18" deep.
 
Metberry Gulch Teller County   Open 3/8/10
COMMENTS:
Open all the way. A few mud puddles. We cleared the downded trees.
 
Middle St. Vrain Boulder 303-541-2500 Open 6/20/09
COMMENTS:
6/20/09 - Open.
 
Mill Creek/Red Elephant Trail Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Open 8/8/09
COMMENTS:
8/8/09 - Traveled from the south end off of I-70 uphill. Ran this trial at night, trail open all the way. One stock Cherokee made it but would not recommend stock vehicles doing it. Very dry and loose dirt, Large rocks and tree roots. Real challenge for vehicles not lifted and locked at least at one end.
 
Minnie Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Closed 6/6/09
COMMENTS:
6/6/09 - Closed.
 
Moody Hill Canyon Lakes 970-295-6700 Open 5/24/09
COMMENTS:
5/24/09 - Open all of the way and VERY popular! Did not drive Crystal Mountain as it started to rain heavily. Better safe than sorry! Condition is good. A couple of rock minor obstacles will be a challenge.
 
Mosquito Pass Pike/South Park
San Isabel/Leadville
719-836-2031
719-486-0749
Partially Open 9/24/09
COMMENTS:
9/24/09 - Left Alma in 4wd Tahoe and made it 8 miles to an old mine and continued about 300 yards and had to back down. Too much snow. Snow covered West of mine on Alma side.
9/8/09 - We went from Alma to Leadville. Took us about 2 hours to cross with a 1998 GMC Jimmy. We had no problems although I used the skid-plates several times on the rough parts.
7/20/09 - Traveled trail from Leadville all the way to Alma, clear of all snow. Great views and beautiful wildflowers.
7/11/09 - Made it up all the way over from the Alma side. The deep drift at the saddle by London Mtn. had to be rolled and packed and is real dicey. Had to roll and pack 2 drifts by the mine entrance on the way up too, but no problems there. Took 4 of us almost an hour to get over the last drift. Everything above the saddle was open to the top. It will be 1 to 2 weeks before the road is visible at the saddle.
7/5/09 - From Leadville, it is open all the way to the top. One snowdrift just past the top has a bypass around it. A second snowdrift on the east side is tighter, and is difficult to drive thru unless you are in an ATV or bike. A third snowdrift is one mile from the top on the east side and it has everyone stopped. It is 70 yards long and deep, and is where the road forks.
6/29/09 - We traveled from Leadville up 7th street to Mosquito Pass. On the backside there is a very large snowfield covering the road. Even if you could get around this, there is a further one blocking the road immediately after. No way around and too much risk involved in trying to plow through it. Probably 3 ft deep and could have slipped of with a 200 foot drop and roll. Didn't want to take the chance with my suburban, so we turned around and went back to Leadville. It was sleeting on the way back down. No other vehicle tracks evident so we felt we had accomplished a little. Took about an hour to reach the pass. There are also some snowbanks at two hairpin turns covering the road going up from Leadville.
6/27/09 - Still just one bad spot with snow drifts across the road about one eight of a mile below the top from the Leadville side. Believe this is at the final switchback before the top. Some snow at the switchbacks near the top, but you can get thru that except for the last drift. I suspect by July 4 it will be open from Leadville, but dont know anything about the east side towards Alma.
6/13/09 - From the Diamond mine where the 4x4 road starts, you can get only 2.1 miles up to the first switchback where the snow is very deep and continuous.It was 12,160' elevation there. Need to have some warm sunny days with no rain/snow before this gets better. It snowed on me midday while I was up checking on the road.
5/26/09 - From Leadville you can only go 3.2 miles past the pavement. You can make it about .75 miles up the 4x4 part of the road to just opposite the Diamond Mine and Diamond Lake. Usually the switchbacks above this point are the obstacle but you cant even get up to them now.
5/17/09 - The road traveling west to Mosquito Pass is clear to about 3/4 of a mile before the section that crosses the stream. After that there is snow on the road but also spotted at least one set of tire tracks through the snow.
 
Mount Antero San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Open 6/30/09
COMMENTS:
6/30/09 - The road is open all the way to the top.
5/30/09 - Less than a mile after the Baldwin Gulch crossing the drifts haven't been touched. Baldwin Gulch crossing was only about a foot deep.
 
Mount Baldy/Captain Jacks Pike National Forest/ El Paso County 719-836-2031 Open 7/1/09
COMMENTS:
7/1/09 - Trail open to Locked Gate. Trail condition good with no snow. Was raining off and on.
5/17/09 - We went all the way to the clearing where Mt Baldy meets with Eagle Rock. Further along it should be open with somewhat deep snow. Give it another week or two and all should be dry. We did encounter a puddle about 8" deep from the rain the last two days and melt water.
5/8/09 - We only made it about a 1/3rd of the way. Snow hindered our progress at one point, so I cannot comment on the rest of the trail. The trail, for the section we went on, was in good condition. Everything was pretty dry. Some melt water on part of the trail. Towards 10k feet we started encountering snow on the side of the road. We decided not to proceed further as street tires don't give the best of traction on snow as the next section was still covered in snow.
 
Mount Blanca/Como Lakes Rio Grande/Saguache
San Isabel/San Carlos
719-655-2547
719-269-8500
   
COMMENTS:
 
Mount Bross Pike/South Park 719-836-2031    
COMMENTS:
 
Mount McClellan White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Open 8/28/09
COMMENTS:
 
Ohio Pass Gunnison 970-641-0471 Open 6/17/09
COMMENTS:
6/17/09 - Trail was open and dry from the top of Kebler down.
 
Ophir Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 7/19/09
COMMENTS:
10/11/09 - Going towards Oprih from Hwy 550 from Ouray-Silverton cities the pass is very icy and treacherous. We were driving a 4x4 all wheel drive and probably a 4x4 with a low range would have been better braking down hill. Very icy at the pass.I was sliding sideways all the way down the pass.
7/19/09 - Open. Completely dy. Some reddish snow near the top of the pass on the side of the road.
6/21/09 - Open and clear all the way. I traveled this pass over to Telluride and Alta Lakes area Saturday and came back over Sunday. It is mostly dry and clear for use.
5/28/09 - Officially open per the San Miguel County Road and Bridge Dept.
5/23/09 - Open all the way. Take care on the shelf road though; it's very icy in places.
 
Owl Creek Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray
BLM/Gunnison
970-240-5300
970-641-0471
Open 6/7/09
COMMENTS:
6/7/09 - The road is open all the way,one muddy corner. We were in the area cleaning up the ATV trail at Vista Point.
 
Pearl Pass Gunnison/Gunnison 970-641-0471 Open 8/1/09
COMMENTS:
8/1/09 - I drove the trail 100% from Crested Butte to Aspen,. There was one snow section maybe 20-30 yards on the Aspen side. Not very deep snow, no shoveling was required to get through. Aforementioned bridge looked to have been repaired.
7/25/09 - We travelled from the Crested Butte Side and made it to within a couple of hundred yards of the top. The Aspen side still has many large drifts on the other side. A well equipped jeep could have made it but I was in a Polaris RZR and would have had to winch through the snow because it was soft and deep. We were close enough to walk to the top. We watched several motorcycles make it up the Aspen side but it would have been very difficult on the Aspen Side.
7/16/09 - Trail is not yet open. We made it to the "saddle" on the west side. Snow still completely covers the trail for approx. 200 feet in one spot just west of the summit.
6/27/09 - Not sure, didn't actually travel the pass, but wanted to update. A bridge on the Aspen side of Pearl Pass above Castle Creek Road is washed out and unsafe to cross over. If you are planning on driving the pass from C rested Butte, it might be a good idea to call the Aspen Ranger District to see if the bridge has been repaired. I have not heard of an ETR.
 
Peru Creek Road White River/Dillon
Pike/South Platte
970-468-5400
303-275-5610
Open 7/3/09
COMMENTS:
7/3/09 - Open to the mine gate. The gate is closed!
6/21/09 - Trail is open. Water levels are slightly high due to run off. Going all the way back the stream was about 12" deep. Trail going to the right the stream looked to be around a 18"-24", didn't go through it myself.
 
Picayune/Placer Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/6/09
COMMENTS:
6/6/09 - Open according to the Forest Service.
 
Pomeroy Lake Rio Grande/Saguache
San Isabel/Salida
719-655-2547
719-539-3591
Open 7/7/09
COMMENTS:
7/7/09 - Due to reclamation work the trail is scheduled to be closed on the following dates: July 10,13,14,15,17,20, and August 3 to 31. Before heading out to Pomeroy Lakes I would suggest calling the Salida Ranger at 719-539-3591 to verify the status of the trail
6/22/09 - The trail is open all the way. There are some wet/muddy spots, but it is mostly dry and summer conditions.
 
Poughkeepsie Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 7/18/09
COMMENTS:
7/18/09 - Traveled trail in uphill direction, open all the way to the top.
6/18/09 - Looking down from Hurricane Pass, the top of Poughkeepsie is stilled snowed in. Hasn't been touched by dozer.
6/16/09 - Traveled up the trail from Engineers Pass road and was stopped by snow just before the main obstacle on the trail. The trail was a little rougher than normal due to runoff on the trail.
6/6/09 - Closed.
 
Ptarmigan Pass White River/Holy Cross 970-827-5715 Open 8/22/09
COMMENTS:
8/22/09 - Yes, all open & no blocks. Go slowly over rocks. easy creek crossings. Rough but you wanted this.
6/24/09 - Trail closed for about 600 feet at pass. Drove up from Camp Hale - able to get within 1/2 mile of crest. Road in great shape most of the way.
 
Radical Hill White River/Dillon
Pike/South Platte
970-468-5400
303-275-5610
Open 7/20/09
COMMENTS:
7/20/09 - Traveled entire trail. Trail is not safe do to large boulder in middle of trail just before the top. We got six jeeps over the boulder by building a ramp with rocks and going slow to prevent rear of jeep from swing to the right off the cliff.
7/18/09 - From Montezuma went up Deer Creek to the top of Radical Hill. A little water but nothing deep. Just puddles. Looking down from the top the road south connecting to Webster pass does not look passable. There seems to be two or three snow fields left that block the road.
7/6/09 - Trail is impassible, large snowdrift at one switchback and covering the entire road near the top.
6/6/09 - The Forest Service gate on the Deer Creek road is still closed. Based on history it will probably be closed for a couple of more weeks.
 
Rampart Range Pike/Fairplay 719-836-2031 5/12/09 Open
COMMENTS:
5/12/09 - Traveled from Garden of the Gods to intersection at Woodland Park. Road was clear and dry--very dusty. The start of the trail had some pretty good sized dips, but nothing serious. The trail all the way to Woodland Park was very washboarded. Be careful on the blind curves. A number of drivers were taking them way too fast, not expecting (caring) about on-coming traffic.
4/4/09 - Travel from Garden of the Gods to Intersection leading to Woodland Park. Only 2-3 patches of snow. Only 2-3 patches of snow.
 
Red Cone White River/Dillon
Pike/South Platte
970-468-5400
303-275-5610
Open 7/21/09
COMMENTS:
7/21/09 - Red Cone is open from Hwy. 285 side to Webster Pass. You cannot go down Webster Pass back to 285 due to a snow bank that still blocks the road about 100 yds down the switchbacks. The trail is marked for one way travel which would prohibit travel back to 285 if you go all the way down to the pass.
 
Red Canyon Park Canyon City Open 4/21/09
COMMENTS:
4/21/09 - The main road is open to all of the day use areas, it is also open all the way through to the highway. All of the fun spur roads are also open. The main road was being graded the day that we were out there.
 
Rollins Pass - East Side Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Partially Open 7/3/09
COMMENTS:
7/3/09 - Trail is open to Yankee Doodle lake. Large snowfields block the road above this point. Lots of fun potholes on the way up from the Moffatt Tunnel. The most green and beautiful we have ever seen it in July!
 
Rollins Pass - West Side Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Partially Open 6/22/09
COMMENTS:
6/22/09 - Not open all the way. Snow at Rifle Sight tunnel. Snow is melting, but lots on the ground on any north facing trail.
 
Red and White Mountain White River/Holy Cross 970-827-5715    
COMMENTS:
 
 
Saint John White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Partially Open 7/6/09
COMMENTS:
7/6/09 - Trail is almost open to intersection with FSR 5. There is a small snow drift blocking access to FSR 5, so right now you have to go back out the way you came in.
6/26/09 - Seasonal gate is still closed. Deer Creek and Webster Pass are also still gated.
 
Schofield Pass White River/Sop`hris District 970-963-2266 Open 7/6/09
COMMENTS:
7/6/09 - Open all the way. No snow on the actual trail. The deepest water crossing, above the punchbowl, is a little over two feet deep. Some boulders in the trail, but not at narrow spots. Made it over with no trouble in a dull-size Jeep Wagoneer.
6/28/09 - Still blocked by slick snow on the Crystal side of the Punchbowl.
 
Scotch Creek Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 6/29/09
COMMENTS:
6/29/09 - Open all the way. Very muddy with large holes. Doable with jeep.
6/6/09 - Closed.
 
Sevenmile Roosevelt National Forest 970-498-1100    
COMMENTS:
 
Shrine Pass White River/Sopris District 970-963-2266 Open 8/22/09
COMMENTS:
8/22/09 - Yes, all open & no blocks.
7/7/09 - Open. Trail condition good.
 
Slaughterhouse Gulch Pike/Fairplay 719-836-2031 Open all year 5/17/09
COMMENTS:
Completely open all year.
5/17/09 - Road to mudpit still closed.
3/8/09 - Colby and I took his new jeep wrangler(new to him). It is a black 2008 stock jeep wrangler. The trail is open all the way. It was pretty dry for this early in the season. There are no problem spots. But the road leading back to the mud pit is closed.
 
Spring Creek Pike   Open 5/30/09
COMMENTS:
5/30/09 - Trail open all the way. Trail in good condition. was dry all the way until we got to the rock garden. lots of snow melt run-off made the rock garden a muddy mess, and alot more fun! saw a little bit of snow on the trail after that, but not much.
5/12/09 - The trail was still dicey with snow and off camber pitches. We were stopped about 100 yards from the rock garden with a 5' snow drift. Dry down below, muddy and snowy about 1/3 the way up. My best guess for it to open all the way would be near the end of May.
 
Spring Creek Pass Clear Creek 303-567-3000    
COMMENTS:
 
Stony Pass Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Open 7/5/09
COMMENTS:
7/5/09 - Pole Creek still running 12 to 14 inches deep. Trail fairly dry in forest (Timber Hill) but rocky and rutty as usual. Drove from Silverton to Creede.
6/22/09 - Open all the way to Hwy 149 on the other side of Rio Grande Reservoir. Pole Creek running 12-14" deep - no problems for our Jeep Rubicon... Lots of water crossings through the forest to the reservoir but all were easily passable.
5/22/09 - Open all the way, however Pole Creek is very high. We turned back in a stock Cherokee, as didn't feel confident to make the crossing.
 
Swan and Wise Trail, middle fork White River/Dillon 970-468-5400 Still blocked 8/4/09
COMMENTS:
8/4/09 - Please note: the trail spur climbing south to the "two wooden posts" and descending beyond them (mentioned by the previous poster) is a dead end. It soon peters out, and can be hazardous in a full-sized vehicle. (Someone died there a couple of years ago; their Cherokee lies at the bottom.) Park by the posts, enjoy the view, and explore on foot!
7/18/09 - Drove south from the Deer Creek - Radical Hill intersection. One snow drift just north of the intersection to Wise Mountain but passable. But when you get to the top, the high point, there is a problem. There are two posts that look like old telephone poles on each edge of the road. The road then drops down and there is a very large snow field that still covers the entire road. Past that there are several switchbacks going downhill that appear clear but there might be some snow out of sight from the top. The big snow drift looks like it may be 4 or 5 feet deep. You cannot see the road at all. It is going to take some time to melt.
 
Taylor Pass Gunnison/Gunnison 970-641-0471 Open 9/27/09
COMMENTS:
9/27/09 - Pretty nasty - My friend was in a stock Ford Ranger, sliced (ruined) one tire on a sharp rock. I was in stock 01 Tacoma - Non TRD (no locking rear diff) - Cooper ATR tires, and had a fairly tough time getting thru the lower section (Taylor Park side)where the creek and the trail are one and the same. The rangers at the station before the turn-off to the pass told us it wasn't to rough, my thought is that they have never been up there lately. Anyway the road is still passable but very rocky.
7/26/09 - Travelled from Crested Butte side to Aspen side. Trail was open all the way. Rained off and on all day, trail was rocky and slick. The exit from Taylor Creek is real chewed up and required lockers for me to get up and out. View from the pass is UNBELIEVABLE!
7/20/09 - First time doing the trail...it was open all the way. My favorite section is the 1/10 of a mile creek crawling section which can be difficult near the end. I had to kick in the rear locker to exit the creek section. The trail is extremely rocky all the way but lots of fun.
7/11/09 - The trail is open all the way to Ashcroft and to Aspen via the forest service maintenance road. A stock 4WD truck was stuck at the exit to the river crossing on 07/11/09 and tore up the exit leaving several very large holes. The first step out of the river is now about 24" to 30". I needed front and rear lockers on my JK to crawl over the holes at the exit. The river is running approximately 6" to 8" deep in most spots. There are two 18" holes in the river which have watermelon size rocks showing above the water. The area has seen lots of rain and everything is green and full of water. There are a few tough spots on the upper rock garden, where some big rock have been exposed.
6/22/09 - The trail is open from the Taylor Park side within less than 50 yds from the top. There is a small area of snow that remains blocking the trail.
 
Tincup Pass San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591
Open 9/9/09
COMMENTS:
9/9/09 - We went from St. Elmo to Tincup. It took us about 2 hours with no issues. We were in a 1998 GMC Jimmy. I did use the skidplates on a few rough spots. There was one bad spot on the east side of the pas about 150 feet from the top. Was rough going down the Tincup side of the pass.
7/19/09 - Open all the way, no sign of snow.
7/10/09 - Snow at top on st. Elmo side blocks trail to jeeps. I would not attempt until more snow melt. Soft shoulder and very narrow for jeeps.
7/6/09 - Open all the way on both sides, with one possible caveat.Snow on upper side of shelf road just east of summit had some folks turning back, but it's just a bit of pucker factor. Made it fine in a full-size Jeep Wagoneer. Wide vehicles might have a problem. One deep-ish mudhole on the east side just about at final timberline -- not difficult, but low or long-overhang vehicles will drag.
6/27/09 - The pass is open all the way from the West side. 50 yds over on the St. Elmo side there is a snowbank blocking the trail.
6/20/09 - The trail from St Elmo was open to above treeline. The last few switchbacks were covered in a lot of snow. It may still be a few weeks before any chance of passage. The road has been graded in the last 6-12 months and is easily traveled by stock 4x4's. I even saw a Saturn at a campsite half way up.
6/19/09 - Summitted from the WEST SIDE-with a couple 30' snowfields near summitt. Typical snowfield across the short shelf rd just east of divide, I'm thinking 6-8' right at the trail.
6/3/09 - Still closed by snow.
5/30/09 - From the Saint Elmo side, open approximately five miles up -almost to the tree line. Muddy, there are drifts to be crossed between fourth and fifth mile. It looks like the trail has been worked on. There used to be a really big mud puddle that took up half the road between the third and fourth mile, it's been filled.
 
Tomichi Pass Gunnison/Gunnison 970-641-0471 Open 7/14/09
COMMENTS:
7/14/09 - Open and dry all the way. No problems for a Jeep. A full sized PU would have a close call around a rock that has slid down. The bog has a 3' high rock road across it now, thanks to whoever did the work.
7/10/09 - Not passible by jeep! Do not attempt unless you want to lose your jeep. Very scary day.
6/28/09 - Trail open on north side for approximately 1/4 mile past the Hancock Pass cutoff. At least 3 or 4 significant snow banks on the shelf road prevent travel.
6/27/09 - It has recently been reported that Tomichi Pass is no longer navigable. Does anyone know if this is true?
 
Treasure Mountain Loop Uncompahgre/Ouray 970-240-5300 Closed 6/6/09
COMMENTS:
6/6/09 - Closed.
 
Twin Cone Pike, South Platte 719-836-2031 Open 6/14/09
COMMENTS:
6/14/09 - Trail is open all the way and the views are spectacular. Definitely one of my new favorite trails after the wind,rain,snow,sleet and hail cleared up. Trail is not for stock SUV if you're worried about damage. What an adventure we had this day.
 
Uncompahgre Plateau Area        
COMMENTS:
 
Wager Gulch Uncompahgre/Ouray
BLM/Gunnison
970-240-5300
970-641-0471
Open 6/19/09
COMMENTS:
 
Wearyman Creek (FS747) White River/Sopris District 970-963-2266 Open 8/22/09
COMMENTS:
8/22/09 - Creeks down; all OK Always Rocky & slow. Go now.
6/27/09 - From the Shrine Pass road, we did not attempt the first creek crossing. Creek was over its banks and running 4"-6" deep on the trail. Probably 3 foot deep at first crossing.
 
Webster Pass/Handcart Gulch White River/Dillon
Pike/South Platte
970-468-5400
303-275-5610
Open 8/10/09
COMMENTS:
8/10/09 - Trail is open all the way. There are a couple of extremely narrow washout areas between 2nd and 3rd hairpin turns from the top. We did get through with a jeep, but it requires an extremely skilled driver.
7/21/09 - The trail is still blocked by a deep snowbank about 100 yds from the top of the pass. There is about 4-6 ft of snow still over the road and it probably will be at least 2 weeks before there is any chance of getting anything bigger than an ATV past.
6/26/09 - Still gated on Montezuma side. Saints John and Deer Creek are also still gated. Peru Creek, Cinnamon Gulch, and Santa Fe Peak are all open to the top.
6/14/09 - Gate locked. Deer Creek/Montezuma also locked.
6/6/09 - The other Montezuma area seasonal gates are a also still closed. Webster Pass and Peru Creek Road.
 
Weston Pass Pike/Fairplay
San Isabel/Leadville
719-836-2031
719-486-0749
Open 6/13/09
COMMENTS:
6/13/09 - The ridge road that parallels the Weston Pass road on the east side is now open . 6/6/09 - Weston Pass is open all the way through. There is only one boggy/rutted spot on the West side. The ridge road that parrallels the main road on the East side still had a few snow drifts on it.
5/9/09 - Pass is open almost to the top, from the east. Snow covers about the last 100 yards before the top of the pass but if you have 4WD you can drive around.
 
Wheeler Geological Area    
COMMENTS:
9/08- Trail in good condition from Trail head at the old mill site to the turn around at Wheeler. Rough in some places, some small mud puddles. Creek crossings were low water.
 
Wheeler Lake     Open 7/12/09
COMMENTS:
7/12/09 - Completely open. Lots of water on trail, as usual. Gorgeous views!
6/27/09 - Trail is not open all the way. There is a large drift over the road just before you start the incline to the lake. ATV's were able to cross the drift but had to winch their way back. There is a lot of water on the trail. Obstacles are more challenging with wet tires but can be conquered.
 
Williams Pass San Isabel/Salida 719-539-3591 Open 8/2/09
COMMENTS:
8/2/09 - Open all the way and in good shape.
8/1/09 - A large boulder has fallen onto the trail just past the junction with Alpine Tunnel road. It would be a narrow squeeze between that and the edge of the trail for trucks, no problem for ATVs. ( I don't know whether it could already have been removed by 8/2 when the other poster was there.)
 
Yankee Boy Basin Uncompahgre/Ouray
BLM/Gunnison
970-240-5300
970-641-0471
Open 7/19/09
COMMENTS:
7/19/09 - Trail is open all the way, beautiful wildflowers!
7/4/09 - Road is open all the way up just short of upper Blue Lakes/Sneffels trail head due to snow field over road.
5/12/09 - Trail is open to toilet past falls. Good conditions with expected wet and muddy spots. 4WD required past the turnoff to Governor Basin due to muddy water crossings. 2 ft. impassible snowpack beyond toilet. Great runoff everywhere - prepare to get wet under overhang! Twin Falls is spectacular and highly visible.
 
Yankee Hill Clear Creek 303-567-3000 Open 5/30/09
COMMENTS:
5/30/09 - This trail is open and clear of snow from Central City all the way over to Yankee Hill and Alice. However, we ran into a forest ranger who informed us that the Miner's Gulch spur was still impassable due to deep snow in some sections. Trail was dry and in good condition. Just keep your eyes peeled for the slew of dirtbikers and ATVers that are up there right now. We had a few close calls on some of the blind corners... Those dirtbikers just move way too fast.
 


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