Missouri from Clohesy? Subaru?

[notoriousak86]

Was thinking about driving up to Clohesy Lake tonight to do Missouri in the AM from the West Ridge Rt. I have a newer Subaru Outback, do you guys think I can make it up to the lake?

[SaraMiller]

No way. I'm an experienced 4 wheel driver and went through last Saturday In a Landrover...was pretty freaked out.

[alexhenes]

Probably depends on the water level. Here is a video of a forester doing the crossing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUNw316kHmM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[letsgocu]

I was in there a few weeks ago during Andrew's record, and out of driving all of the 4wd roads the river crossing there was what I was most worried about with my 4.5" lifted 4Runner we used... I also have an outback that I've taken up several 4wd trailhead roads, more than most would, for example south colony lakes, but I wouldn't bring it up to Clohesy lake unless the river is real low and you are okay with some more than the average subi off roader would be...

[WarDamnPanic]

Yeah no way. That is one of the worst roads on the 14er circuit. The slope after the second water crossing is a bit tricky

[SaraMiller]

The water was still pretty high one week ago.

[myfeetrock]

Talked with a guy at the Missouri trailhead and he said there was a large rock preventing him from crossing one of the creeks. He didn't say which.

[LuLuLuv]

I was just up there Friday afternoon in my Jeep Liberty, I would definitely say no to taking your new Subaru up. The creeks were not running high, but the road is rough!! If there is a rock blocking, my guess would be that it is the second creek. There was a large one that was a little tricky to maneuver around coming up out of the creek. Someone may have knocked it into the trail:(

[colintre]

I crossed in a Forester on July 29. There was no problem crossing, but you have to walk the route first to find the shallows and spot the rocks. The problem was getting up the bank on the far side. It is steep, rocky, and irregular. My Forester couldn't keep enough wheels with traction. I was able to get it up with the come-along that I carry. The road to the lake is very rough. If you like your Forester, I suggest that you walk.

[Chicago Transplant]

I vote no, I parked mine at the cabins and walked. Its not a bad walk, cross in sandals and stash them on the far bank for the return trip.

The hill right out of the crossing is steep and comes out at a sharp enough angle that you probably will hit the front end due to the approach angle. There are some other areas along the way that a bit rocky and loose. I remember one spot I had to back and take a different line when I did it in my old Xterra because of some loose rocks. That was enough for me to park my Outback when I came back for a future trip.

[Steve Knapp]

I drove up in my 4Runner (non-lifted stock) last October. Water was low then, but still came nearly to the floorboards in a spot or two. As mentioned, the first slope up from the creek is the worst part of the whole drive. I'm glad I did it as I never would have gotten all the peaks I ended up doing by parking at the bottom. But in a Subaru, definitely don't do it. The Clohesy Lake basin and the peaks above are awesome, really fun trip. For Missouri alone, it's quite doable hiking the whole road up (even in January after forgetting your boots and wearing Nike's on your snowshoes, ha).

[scottaskinger]

Hmmm...would someone mind clarifying a few things from this thread?

Where roughly are the river crossings/problems on this road in relation to camping and THs? Over a couple of days I will be hitting Huron/Missouri/Belford/Oxford/Iowa/Emerald. I would like to camp as close to Huron's East Slopes route and Missouri's West Ridge route as possible. How much extra mileage am I looking at if I park/camp short of the river crossings? Also, I will be in a 4WD F150 (rental car) with normal clearance, so maybe I'll be able to cross regardless.