4 mile creek road:horsehoe pk

[cmcquade]

Hello,

has anyone been up 4 mile creek road lately since the april storms? How far up can one make it?

c

[aholle88]

The road closure has been about ~1 mile from the Leavick mine all winter. They keep it plowed consistently up to that point. Even in a Subaru, I was up there after a 6-8" storm and was able to drive through the new snow on the road since it was plowed before. The only issue is wind drifted snow across some spots in the road.

Boudoir did not look completely filled in the last time I was passing through there. Looked like there was a choke at the top that did not have coverage. That may have changed by now, but it was also 50 degrees at 10k the past 2 days. If you live close, head down there with some binoculars and check it out from Fairplay beforehand to make sure its in.

[mattdecoste]

Does anyone know what date they typically open the road after the winter closure to allow access up to the Summer TH at the gate at 12,000 ft? I am planning to hike Sherman on June 3 and wondering if I should plan on a longer hike.

[wineguy]

I drove up the road last Wednesday, May 4, in an Acura RDX and did NOT make it to supposed "winter" closure. The road had definitely not been plowed since the last snowstorm. The road was usually bare in the wheel tracks, but had 6-10 inches of snow between the tracks. Whoever had driven up there had higher clearance than me, because I started scraping snow with my undercarriage. At that point I turned around, which was non-trivial in the slushy conditions. I had hoped to climb Sheridan, but instead went to Mosquito Gulch to head towards Mosquito Peak. The temperatures were warm and the snow was melting fast, so I'm guessing that the road is in better shape now.

[BillMiddlebrook]

^wineguy, I went up the next day (5th) and most of that snow was gone. I had no problem getting to the winter "closure" but it was a bit muddy due to the rapid melt.

I'm guessing the road is clear to that point now.

[Jay521]

^^ Wineguy or Bill - were you able to see if Boudoir was in?

[BillMiddlebrook]

To me, it looked like the choke at the top had enough snow and was continuous, even though it was narrow. I didn't take any pictures, sorry.

[Jay521]

Thanks, Bill!

[mattdecoste]

Thanks for the info Wine Guy. So if I understand correctly they don't physically block off the road during winter with a gate, rather, they just don't plow the road so it's "proceed at your own risk"?

[Bean]

It's clear to 11,000' as of Sunday, past that it's "proceed on foot or with a snowmobile or otherwise bury your jeep with California plates up to the axles."

Boudoir is in.

[JQDivide]

Thanks for the info Wine Guy. So if I understand correctly they don't physically block off the road during winter with a gate, rather, they just don't plow the road so it's "proceed at your own risk"?

Correct, no gate.

[Jay521]

Boudoir is in.

Thanks, Bean! I guess I know where I'm heading this weekend!