Lake City to Stewart Trailhead

[jsf80238]

I'm planning to hike in the Lake City area and the next day hike the trail to Stewart Peak from the Nutras Creek Trailhead.

I may not have access to a high-clearance vehicle.

Google offers this.

I also see this.

Either requires some stream crossings, and the trailhead description specifically mentions Pauline Creek.

I'm wondering which route, if any, will likely get me to my trailhead.

[madmattd]

The Google route is for sure OK in most vehicles as long as the crossing of Nutras Creek isn't running high (should be fine right now), and you'll have that question no matter what route you take in there as it's a dead-end road. As for the CalTopo route, that's going past the Cebolla TH which is often used to access Stewart Peak. I was in there last year and the segment from the 14D road to the main San Luis THs up to Cebolla was only a touch rougher, I think a regular sedan would have been fine with a tiny bit of care. (That's the 794.2B and 790 road over to due North of Baldy Chato - the FS map layer shows the Cebolla Trail). I can't speak to the rest over by Los Pinos Pass and such, but it has the same solid black line designation (which usually means 2WD dirt or better - I'm assuming it's dirt to CR50) and if it's in the same kind of shape you should be fine, though it may not be "fast". Looking for Lake City to Cebolla TH info might turn up something helpful for you too.

[dwoodward13]

As for the CalTopo route, that's going past the Cebolla TH which is often used to access Stewart Peak. I was in there last year and the segment from the 14D road to the main San Luis THs up to Cebolla was only a touch rougher, I think a regular sedan would have been fine with a tiny bit of care. (That's the 794.2B and 790 road over to due North of Baldy Chato - the FS map layer shows the Cebolla Trail). I can't speak to the rest over by Los Pinos Pass and such, but it has the same solid black line designation (which usually means 2WD dirt or better - I'm assuming it's dirt to CR50) and if it's in the same kind of shape you should be fine, though it may not be "fast". Looking for Lake City to Cebolla TH info might turn up something helpful for you too.

Traveled to the Cebolla TH from Lake City in 2020 and had no issues in a Camry. Honestly the worst part of the road was the section from CO-149 to Cathedral. Very rocky washboardy, but nothing you'd need clearance for, just slow going. There are some stunning first come first serve campgrounds along this part if you need a place to sleep for the night. The big switchback uphill after Cathedral was more loose rocky stuff, but again very sedan-able. I did run into a road grader who was grading Los Pinos pass so that part was smooth as butter.

Roads change conditions every year so take that with a grain of salt. Prior to traveling, I did call the USFS office to get some info on road conditions and they were very help and provided accurate information, so that might be worth a shot if no one here can provide info from this year. I also asked at the Lake City visitors center and while helpful, the info they gave was wildly incorrect. There's a lot of logging happening on these roads so I think they stay pretty well maintained. In fact watch your speed especially around blind corners. I nearly had more than one head-on with a logging truck that was clearly not used to any other traffic while exiting the area.

[jsf80238]

Thank you MadMattd & dwoodward13 ...

Very helpful information! I called the USFS and they confirmed the road is in good shape.