Hi, all,
I'll be down in Silverton for the autumn leaves mid-month and am planning on either Sunshine/Redcloud or Uncompaghre as a day hike. From Silverton, the fastest route to either trailhead is via CO Rd 2/Animas Forks Road, CO Rd 30/CO Rd 5/Hinsdale County Road 30. First, does anyone have experience on this route; I'm trying to get a sense of whether it's AWD or 4WD (I'll be driving either a Crosstrek or a Lexus RX). Secondly, if I do decide to do Uncompaghre, I'm wondering how far up the toad to Nellie Pass an AWD can get. I've seen the upper portion of the road described as either 'AWD/4WD' or 'easy 4WD'. Thanks for any advice.
road conditions on approach to Redcloud and Uncompaghe?
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LV55
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randalmartin
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Re: road conditions on approach to Redcloud and Uncompaghe?
For Uncomphagre your best input is looking at the TH conditions report. You can see several detailed accounts recently from people that made it up Nellie Creek with relative ease including in a Subaru Forester. Here is link for Uncompahgre https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailhea ... hparm=sj01
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madmattd
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Re: road conditions on approach to Redcloud and Uncompaghe?
Coming from Silverton, the recommendation is going to be an actual 4WD with clearance for either approach towards Lake City - you're looking at the Alpine Loop over either Engineer or Cinnamon Pass. People have made it over one of those passes (Cinnamon I think?) in Subarus before, but it's very not recommended.
Nellie Creek has historically been quite rough for AWD vehicles, but they did some work on the road last year and it sounds like it is a lot better than in the past. Check the link shared above for recent experiences.
Nellie Creek has historically been quite rough for AWD vehicles, but they did some work on the road last year and it sounds like it is a lot better than in the past. Check the link shared above for recent experiences.
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seannunn
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Re: road conditions on approach to Redcloud and Uncompaghe?
I know this isn't exactly what you are asking, but I recommend climbing (Sunshine and) Redcloud from the Mill Creek campground. Nice place to camp and you don't even have to drive to the trailhead, it is just across the road from the campground. Have done that twice and it was great both times.
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
Sean Nunn
Peculiar, MO
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains."
--Psalm 36:6
--Psalm 36:6
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Wentzl
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Re: road conditions on approach to Redcloud and Uncompaghe?
You should drive the paved road from Silverton to Lake City.
Liked: "the toad to Nellie Pass".
Your Crosstrek or Lexus should get you to Nellie Pass, but it depends on which side of the pass you start!
Liked: "the toad to Nellie Pass".
Your Crosstrek or Lexus should get you to Nellie Pass, but it depends on which side of the pass you start!