Question re San Juan THs
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PAflatlander
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Question re San Juan THs
I will be traveling to CO in mid-September and would like to climb Handies and Redcloud/Sunshine. I am renting a small SUV at DIA. Assuming I get something like a Ford Escort (2 WD, 7.9 inch ground clearance), would this be sufficient to reach the THs or should I rent a Jeep when I reach the San Juans?
Re: Question re San Juan THs
I would think a simple SUV would get you to Grizzly Gulch in dry conditions.
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cschmidt1023
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
Grizzly gulch yes, American Basin - maybe but conditions will have to be perfect.
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richwill
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
Agree with previous posters, Grizzly Gulch should be no problem. There is a TH there for Handies also, but if you want to get to American Basin you'd probably want 4WD. With a regular type suv you'd probably make it as far as I've indicated in this pic....of course it IS a rental....
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Matt
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
Ford Escort?PAflatlander wrote:I will be traveling to CO in mid-September and would like to climb Handies and Redcloud/Sunshine. I am renting a small SUV at DIA. Assuming I get something like a Ford Escort (2 WD, 7.9 inch ground clearance), would this be sufficient to reach the THs or should I rent a Jeep when I reach the San Juans?
Did you mean an Escape?
I don't recommend taking either of these to American Basin unless you're a skilled driver and have some practice with an Escape.
I do recommend taking it to Grizzly Gulch.
Rental or not, if it breaks, you're responsible for getting it out of there.
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TravelingMatt
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
I've gone over Cinnamon Pass several times with a first-generation Escape. This means I've made it to the turn-off for American Basin on Cinnamon Pass Road, although I never drove up the road. The worst part of the Cinnamon Pass road is west of American Basin.
Many years ago, I got a rented Sebring convertible to about ½ mile of the American Basin turnoff and hiked Handies, my first 14er, from there.
Many years ago, I got a rented Sebring convertible to about ½ mile of the American Basin turnoff and hiked Handies, my first 14er, from there.
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
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matthewbe
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
I once saw a Ford Mustang at the trailhead... to this day I don't know how the guy did it, but it was there!
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PAflatlander
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
My thanks to Matt: Yes, I did mean a Ford Escape, not an old Escort!
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Jeff_F
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
Getting to the Grizzly Gulch TH isn't all that difficult, IMO. I've had a Honda Prelude and Accord there without issues. You just have to pick your line and sometimes go slow. Neither of these cars made it beyond that.
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Re: Question re San Juan THs
You'll be fine to Grizzly and should be able to get to the lower AmerBasin parking... and maybe the upper TH, depending on current conditions.
