Lead King trailhead

Trailhead condition requests, questions, alerts, etc.
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CaptainSuburbia
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Lead King trailhead

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Anyone been to the Lead King Basin trailhead this summer and want to share their experience? Is the low road or high road more manageable? I did the low road in 2019 and it wasn't too bad in a RAM 1500.
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JakeHouseknecht
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by JakeHouseknecht »

I've been up there twice this year in a Chevy Colorado... both times on the upper road, it was very manageable just real slow. Not much traffic either time, just a long ride in and out. Think it took about an hour each way.
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Barnold41
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by Barnold41 »

Stock 4runner made it fine on the high road with no scrapes. Just time consuming. Haven't taken the low road but heard it's a bit rougher.
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by Dan_Suitor »

I was there 2 weeks ago. ¾ ton GMC extended cab pickup with off-road package. Took the high road in, low road out. High road is rough, but not nearly as rough as some areas between the trailhead and the Chrystal River Mill. Banged the frame a couple times in this area, but no damage. You definitely want clearance, 4 low, good tires, skid plates, and good technique. The road is narrow in some places of the entire loop. If you come head-to-head in some areas, somebody will have to back up for a bit to let the other pass.
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CaptainSuburbia
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Dan_Suitor wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:30 am I was there 2 weeks ago. ¾ ton GMC extended cab pickup with off-road package. Took the high road in, low road out. High road is rough, but not nearly as rough as some areas between the trailhead and the Chrystal River Mill. Banged the frame a couple times in this area, but no damage. You definitely want clearance, 4 low, good tires, skid plates, and good technique. The road is narrow in some places of the entire loop. If you come head-to-head in some areas, somebody will have to back up for a bit to let the other pass.
Thanks everyone!

Dan, are you saying to take the high road? The road from Crystal sounds like it has deteriorated since 2019.
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by bunny256 »

I took the low road last summer and the high road last weekend. Definitely recommend the high road!
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by Dan_Suitor »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:15 am
Dan_Suitor wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:30 am I was there 2 weeks ago. ¾ ton GMC extended cab pickup with off-road package. Took the high road in, low road out. High road is rough, but not nearly as rough as some areas between the trailhead and the Chrystal River Mill. Banged the frame a couple times in this area, but no damage. You definitely want clearance, 4 low, good tires, skid plates, and good technique. The road is narrow in some places of the entire loop. If you come head-to-head in some areas, somebody will have to back up for a bit to let the other pass.
Thanks everyone!

Dan, are you saying to take the high road? The road from Crystal sounds like it has deteriorated since 2019.
To get to the trailhead, Yes. On the return, it was worth the rough road to go by the mill. It is iconic. If you don't care to see it, or don't want to subject your vehicle a very rough road, then return on high road.
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Dan_Suitor wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:38 am
CaptainSuburbia wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:15 am
Dan_Suitor wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:30 am I was there 2 weeks ago. ¾ ton GMC extended cab pickup with off-road package. Took the high road in, low road out. High road is rough, but not nearly as rough as some areas between the trailhead and the Chrystal River Mill. Banged the frame a couple times in this area, but no damage. You definitely want clearance, 4 low, good tires, skid plates, and good technique. The road is narrow in some places of the entire loop. If you come head-to-head in some areas, somebody will have to back up for a bit to let the other pass.
Thanks everyone!

Dan, are you saying to take the high road? The road from Crystal sounds like it has deteriorated since 2019.
To get to the trailhead, Yes. On the return, it was worth the rough road to go by the mill. It is iconic. If you don't care to see it, or don't want to subject your vehicle a very rough road, then return on high road.
Thanks Dan! I've seen the Mill so will stick to the high road.
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by 12ersRule »

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CaptainSuburbia
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Some day our kids will study Clash lyrics in school.
Nothing drives people crazy like people drive people crazy.
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skypilot
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by skypilot »

Speaking of Lead King Basin -- I'll be walking the road from Marble to Lead King and back this weekend. I need to climb Hagerman (one of 3 centennials left).
Yes, it is going to be painful -- but I don't trust my vehicle to get me there.
So if anyone is driving the road and has a heart, make room for a young-at-heart but decidedly old lady and offer her a ride!

Thanks!
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CaptainSuburbia
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Re: Lead King trailhead

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

Some day our kids will study Clash lyrics in school.
Nothing drives people crazy like people drive people crazy.
Save Challenger Point
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