Rockdale Trailhead

Posted On: 7/24/2023 By: Dad Mike
Info: Made it up the road in my 2001 Jeep Wragler...32" tires, no lift.

The river crossings were not too deep and kind of fun. The exit above the 2nd river is by far the crux. It took me several attempts and it was not pretty. I had to build a ramp with boulders and a small log. Above that, there is only one other tricky section, but you just need to take a look at the best way to get up it. Coming down was much easier than going up on both of these spots. See pics attached on the way down.

Posted On: 7/21/2023 By: frigidridge
Info: The river is forge-able. If you're looking for where the crossing is the 4WD road is just a little further to the west of where those cabins by the road are. River went up past my knees (like 18") and you have to wade down the road/river a bit to find the other side but the current is not too strong.

Posted On: 5/5/2023 By: spoony
Info: County Road 390 is almost fully clear to Rockdale. There is one 30 yard stretch of snow, but its not an issue. The road is rough past Clear Creek Ranch, but no high clearance required. Creek is rising but not yet a raging torrent.

Posted On: 9/26/2022 By: CraigE
Info: I hiked the 4WD road, and I checked out whether a Subaru Forester/Outback or similar crossover SUV could comfortably make it to the upper trailhead. Bottom line: Probably not.

But the worst obstacles are near the start of the road, so you could give it a try without too much commitment. Specifically, there are two river crossings shortly after you turn off from 390. They both have solid bottoms, and the deepest water came up just past my calf. You might crawl through it fine in a crossover. The worst obstacle is on the exit from the second crossing. It's a steep climb out of the river, with large rocks and washed out holes. I think it would be a challenge to get a crossover past it.

If you could get past that point, the rest of the road isn't as bad. There are two more stretches about a half mile past the second crossing that are pretty rocky and washed out. But after that the road is less rocky, and you mostly have to deal with ruts and mud puddles.

Posted On: 9/20/2022 By: desertdog
Info: The beaver dam as mentioned in the August report is no more. There are some small branchs left that you will drive over. Water level low on Creek the crossings. The worst part of the road is the first half mile. Made it in a 4Runner.

Posted On: 8/28/2022 By: Mtnman200
Info: An industrious beaver constructed a dam in the middle of the road at the first creek crossing. If you get past the beaver dam, the steep climb out of the creek after the second creek crossing is much improved as compared to August 2020.

Posted On: 7/10/2022 By: HikerGuy
Info: Water levels were low/normal at both crossings, no issues there. The exit after the second crossing is still the crux, but it did not seem worse than the last time I was there a few years ago, the year before the historic avalanche cycle. The rest of the road seemed a bit bouncier than before, but that's probably just my hazy memory. I had not been up since an avalanche took out the trailhead, quite the sight. There is parking for about 6 vehicles amongst the debris, if everyone plays nice. I camped at the trailhead and was able to find a flat spot for a one-man tent, not much level ground in the area. I only saw one other vehicle at the gate, most everyone else was parked in the nice flat camping area prior to the last steep section up to the gate. I was driving a stock 1996 Ford Ranger with 31" tires.

Posted On: 6/21/2022 By: Trotter
Info: So water level is fairly high, about knee high on the two crossings. The first crossing looks ok, the second crossing still has the big rock ledge as soon as you exit the water. It looks like people have stacked rocks in front of it, so it might be slightly more doable than in years past. After that point, the road gets easier as you gain altitude. Saw a stock looking 4 runner at the top.

Water is also extremely cold. I waded all the crossings, and the water feels like 33 degrees.

Posted On: 10/30/2021 By: swilson753
Info: Gate was closed this afternoon when driving out from Winfield. Not sure if it's for the season or not.

Posted On: 9/16/2021 By: HikerBox
Info: Had some kind error posting this earlier

Water is low - maybe 12-inches but slightly higher at the first crossing due to a small beaver dam you have to drive over.

I could not make it up the rocks at the far side of the second crossing in my SR5 Tacoma with 32" A/T tires. My front tire on the big rock lined up with my back tire on a small ledge. A locking diff would have saved the day since I had plenty of clearance and approach/depature but no dice for me. Ended up adding ~5 miles and 800 vert to my day so not a big deal.

Posted On: 8/15/2021 By: Gene913
Info: Had to deconstruct a beaver dam in order to get through the first creek crossing. Otherwise things are normal for this 4WD only road to Clohesy Lake.

Posted On: 7/10/2021 By: Oliver99
Info: Went this afternoon 7/10 in stock full size Silverado to scope out creek crossings. I did not attempt to cross after talked to 2 persons camped out before 1st stream. They said 1st stream is fine and I looked and agreed. They said their is a rock coming out of 2nd stream crossing that is not advisable in my truck without lift and skid plates. 1 guy had a stock Tacoma and he said he didnt want to risk damage on that rock. The other guy had hiked up to the lake and said there were other trucks up there and an Izuzu today.

Posted On: 6/22/2021 By: Green_river
Info: Attaching current picture of the deepest part of the creek crossing

Posted On: 5/3/2021 By: mikeso
Info: Snow down to the creek crossing. Both creeks are low-medium levels moving slowly.

Posted On: 10/19/2020 By: Dan_Suitor
Info: Clear the whole way. Water is not too high. No problems for my 2500 GMC with off road package and oversized tires. I did need to be mindful of the line I took in the rougher areas. I doubt parking at the gate will ever be available. Best to park at the clearing .3 miles before the gate.