Crags Trailhead

Posted On: 5/7/2016 By: cascadecoach
Info: Continuous snow starts at Mendonite Camp. I wasn't able to make it to the 2wd trailhead in my Subaru Impreza because the road was frozen between the ruts, and I did not have enough clearance. 4wd recommended above 2wd trailhead, there are tracks up to Crags Campground.

Posted On: 3/24/2016 By: CO Native
Info: The road is good to the parking lot just past the Mennonite camp. After that we were able to drive another half mile or so, but there were no turn around options. Had to back down. Laid some fresh snowmobile tracks up to the new trailhead.

Posted On: 2/28/2016 By: JQDivide
Info: People, people.... stop trying...
Once again people got stuck on the road to the Crags TH.
In the morning it was a front wheel drive Mazda, about 100 yards from the parking area (just past the campground). The road looks really passable at this point, but it's not. They had been working on it for 30 minutes to get unstuck when we walked by, and there were two other vehicles waiting to get past them.
In the afternoon, in the softer snow, it as a AWD Honda, and Wrangler that got stuck trying to help the Honda.

We saw at least half a dozen areas of funky ruts and tree branches where people got stuck on the road.

OK, can you make the summer TH, YES, Andrew did today. About 80% of the road is solid two wheel ruts. But there are a few spots with thicker softer snow, especially on the small inclines. But there is no where to pass anyone and if you slip out of the ruts, you're in deep snow, one to two feet. (deeper in the ditches)

It's not you, it's the other idiots that keep getting stuck and blocking the road. Happened the week before.

The summer TH parking lot is full of snow and hasn't been used. There is room for three vehicles there. You're better off just walking it, an extra 20 minutes.
There were about at least a dozen cars parked just past the camp, I suggest using that area.

Posted On: 2/7/2016 By: Jim Davies
Info: From George Mason: Northwest Approach to Pikes: road is plowed up to the turnout 1 mile short of Crags TH. Aggressive tread 4x4 will get you all the way to the TH. Approach trail is a superhighway all the way to treeline.

Posted On: 12/24/2015 By: bmcqueen
Info: No issues getting to winter parking just past Mennonite Camp. Based on carnage above, no one has made it to summer TH though a few have tried.

Posted On: 12/7/2015 By: Bethie
Info: DO NOT DRIVE PAST LARGE BROWN SIGN ON LEFT SIDE OF ROAD WITH THE FLIER ABOUT INSECTS & DISEASES, ETC. Although there are tire tracks do not continue. The snow gets very deep after about a half mile & everyone is getting stuck having to dig themselves out & then back down the half mile to turn around and park. The area at the brown sign is the only spot big enough to turn around & park. This will add an additional mile each way (2 miles round trip) to your hike of Pikes.

Posted On: 11/15/2015 By: d_baker
Info: Road to Crags TH is snow packed but still accessible for low clearance vehicles. 4x4 recommended, but might not be necessary depending on your tires. (I used 4x4 in my truck, fwiw).

Posted On: 11/4/2015 By: Jim Davies
Info: The road is snowpacked in spots, but still passable to any vehicle (at least until the storm comes in tonight).

Posted On: 9/24/2015 By: hberry
Info: Road to the trailhead is in excellent condition. Saw several passenger vehicles at the trailhead.

The Forest Service said the campground will be closing on 9/28 but there is plenty of camping on the road before reaching the TH and Campground.

Posted On: 8/5/2015 By: mbauer14
Info: Road to trailhead is in great shape. Dry and flat - made easily in a Honda Accord - a few washed out areas but nothing major.

Posted On: 5/12/2015 By: Corey17
Info: Hiked Pikes from Crags on 5/11. Morning road was snowpacked and icy, parked our Subaru Legacy(passenger vehicle) just past the Mennonite camp due to impassable conditions for our vehicle. In the afternoon, road had melted significantly. Patchy, but somewhat continuous snow in the center, while tire tracks are lots of mud, puddles, and potholes.

Posted On: 4/21/2015 By: skinner
Info: 4wd is advised above the Mennonite camp. A tree has fallen across the road a few hundred feet shy of the parking area. Picture says a thousand words. Trail has a few feet of snow, in hindsight I would have taken snow shoes.

Posted On: 4/14/2015 By: illusion7il
Info: Easy 4WD. Mostly clear of snow and ice. A little muddy on the way out.

Posted On: 3/30/2015 By: Eagle Eye
Info: Almost a repeat of Crestoners‘ mid-month findings:
Deep ruts with lots of snow on the road after the Mennonite camp. Some places looked pretty clearly to be where people have gotten stuck.

Posted On: 3/15/2015 By: Crestoner
Info: The road is very icy past the Mennonite Camp. With 4WD, you should have no problem as long as you more-or-less stay in the ruts. There are several bough-lined trenches from those who did not. The TH parking lot is well-packed, and you won‘t have any trouble coming or going.