Jennings Creek Trailhead

Posted On: 5/15/2023 By: CheapCigarMan
Info: Road is now clear to about 10,400', about a third of a mile before Jennings Creek TH and about a mile before the TH to Carbonate.
There's a downed tree blocking the road at this point.

There were two other spots where a downed tree blocked the road. Me, Pierre, and Bruno were able to move them. There are also a few snow drifts but a Toyota Tacoma and my Xterra made it through them.

Posted On: 8/14/2022 By: swilson753
Info: Road is Subaruable but not crossover SUV friendly. Couldn't get a 2WD Hyundai Tucson (6.8" clearance) more than .3 miles past Angel of Shavano CG due to a steepish section with ruts and loose rocks that I couldn't keep traction on. I did see a Lexus RX350 about .75 below the trailhead. YMMV with better driving/tires.

Posted On: 8/4/2022 By: davisrice4
Info: The road is subaruable up to billings lake.

Posted On: 7/28/2022 By: MaryinColorado
Info: Road has a couple of interesting obstacles. Past the maintained section of road, things get super rocky. I'd be hesitant to take a standard SUV (i.e., 7.3" clearance). Probably not impossible, but plenty of opportunities to hit components in the undercarriage. (For comparison, definitely more rough than the Stevens Gulch Rd to Grays/Torreys in a few spots.)

Posted On: 7/26/2022 By: yaktoleft13
Info: Went to Cyclone Creek trailhead today, which is largely an unmarked pulloff on the side of the road. Road is pretty bumpy, but likely passable in any suv with any kind of clearance. Nothing really technically difficult, just rocky and slow-going

Posted On: 6/19/2022 By: globreal
Info: The road is clear of debris. Drove all the way to the Jennings Creek TH in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Lower all wheel drive vehicles like Subaru Outbacks can probably make it. However, this road is quite bumpy. At this trailhead, there is a sign saying "Trail Closed." After our climb of Tabeguache, we ran into some Forest Service guys and asked.This trailhead is OPEN for the WEST RIDGE route. The trial up the SOUTHWEST RIDGE is closed. The hike through the Jennings Creek drainage is beautiful, and the west ridge route is amazing!

Posted On: 10/10/2021 By: LetsGoMets
Info: Moderate 4x4 to the trailhead. One section a bit past the Angel of Shavano Campground that I would maybe classify as an "obstacle" but mostly it's a rocky road and you just want clearance/good lines over the protruding rocks sticking up. Wouldn't recommend AWD, but probably doable.

Trailhead is unmarked and located exactly as described here. Google maps also navigates well to it. Enough parking for 2 vehicles at the TH, but there are pull-offs before and after the TH proper. Trail itself is in pretty great shape.

Posted On: 9/4/2021 By: jslove1
Info: Trailhead access is pretty accurately described already. Water running on roadbed here and there, but nothing notable. I mostly post just to say that we drove back in the long long sprinter 4x4, so if you have a long or tall vehicle (Im 9 tall and 24 long) you can make it given that the vehicle is offroad capable. Im not exactly nimble, but 4low can overcome a lot fortunately. The worst of the road right now was a steeper rocky bit about a mile past the campground, reminiscent of some of the stuff on south colony lakes approach. High clearance makes it all pretty mellow, albeit still bumpy.

Posted On: 9/2/2021 By: ltlFish99
Info: Trailhead is exactly where it is supposed to be according to the coordinates and other information.
I thought the last 3.8 miles was quite rough in spots. There were a Lot of rocks, some of them quite large.
It was definitely a slow 3.8 miles.
nice place to sleep before hiking tabeguache the next day. Only 1 other vehicle at the trailhead.
I drove .4 miles past the trailhead and found a Large wonderful place to park on the left.

Posted On: 6/21/2021 By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Drove up in stock 2018 Forester. Right after campground it gets rougher, but my Forester made it just fine. Maybe two spots that require some navigating, but otherwise just pick your line and watch for all the rocks on the hills heading to the TH. No major puddles to be aware of right now. Parking for 2-3 (me, a 4Runner, and a Pilot all parked) at TH (right where the coordinates are).

I would say similar road challenges to Huron/Ice upper TH from Summer 2020 if that helps gauge the road condition/driveability.

Posted On: 8/31/2020 By: CraigE
Info: I drove to the Jennings Creek trailhead in a stock Forester on 8/30/2020. Just want to confirm that dirt road past Angel of Shavano Campground is pretty rough and requires good clearance. There are 2 or 3 washed out spots where you have to pick your line carefully.

Posted On: 7/26/2020 By: jnorris303
Info: Rough, narrow road past the Angel of Shavano picnic area. It is a mix of smooth stretches and stretches with lots of rocks and a few steep sections. High clearance is the biggest thing here, as are decent tires. You could easily bust a tire here if you aren't careful. Having said that, most SUVs with good clearance and a careful driver can make it to the unmarked Jennings Creek Trailhead. My 2018 Forester on all-terrain tires did just fine, albeit slowly. I wouldn't try with less than 8" of clearance. An Outback, Cherokee or something similar will make it just fine. 4Runners were built for roads like this. Don't try it in a Ford Edge Sport (for example) or any SUV that is more on-road oriented. If you've been up the Winfield road to Huron's main trailhead, you'll be just fine on this one. Picture is @ trailhead, facing back down the road (east).

Posted On: 6/6/2020 By: wanderingsteve
Info: The road is a little rough, but I made it to the trailhead in an Outback without any issues. As long as you have 4WD, some clearance, and take your time, you should be fine.

Posted On: 5/31/2020 By: crowdsurf
Info: Road is open to the TH. Not a difficult road but as always I am surprised what people can get up to some THs. Decent tires will go a long way. Rocks on the road are numerous.

Posted On: 9/7/2019 By: Bryan W
Info: The road past the Shavano Campground is open and in good condition all the way to the trailhead. The cleared avalanche debris is approximately 1/4 mile prior to the the trailhead. Anything with the slightest bit of clearance should not have any problem getting to Jennings Creek. This is as of 9/5/19.