5/14/2022 Posted On: 5/16/2022 By: rudi32 Info: I would say Rough 2WD to Spruce Creek TH (10,400'). Gate is still closed headed up Crystal Creek, still major snow on the road above 11,000'. Lost a pair of goggles coming down Crystal Creek road although, if anyone happens to snag them let me know ! | ||||
9/19/2021 Posted On: 9/19/2021 By: LetsGoMets Info: 2WD to the lower TH around 10,400. Recommended clearance and good tires to get up to the upper TH, would not take a Subaru or like AWD vehicle. | ||||
8/22/2021 Posted On: 8/23/2021 By: nedryarson Info: Took my stock Xterra Pro-4x up Crystal Creek to the Lower Crystal Lake trailhead. Once you leave the Spruce Creek road right after the lowest trailhead, this is a legit 4x4 road. Narrow, steep, big rocks, and lots of deep holes. Easier once you pass Francie's Cabin and leave the forest. Biggest concern was encountering oncoming vehicles on the way down (very few pullouts for passing) but ended up lucking out. Other vehicles at trailhead - three full-size trucks, one 4runner, two Wranglers. | ||||
7/22/2021 Posted On: 7/22/2021 By: camiller4 Info: Drove my Subaru Forester up the 4WD road to Upper Spruce Creek TH (Spruce Creek Rd/Aqueduct Rd junction). Road is really not that bad, definitely pretty rocky with some deep holes, but very doable if you are a confident driver with 4WD and at least as much clearance as a forester. | ||||
6/10/2021 Posted On: 6/10/2021 By: blazintoes Info: Spruce creek is dry. Get there early. It fills quickly even on a weekday. You can drive up to Mohawk Lakes TH in a rental car (thats what CO visitors told me). I prefer to MTB on roads like this because its faster and less abusive but the 4WD road is bumpy and wet. You can park 2.2 miles to the upper TH from Spruce Creek and have an easier hike to go see the beautiful waterfall! | ||||
9/25/2020 Posted On: 9/25/2020 By: berko89 Info: Took a stock 2017 Tacoma with AT tires up the Crystal Creek 4WD drive road. Didn't go all the way to the lake - pulled off and parked near treeline shortly after the closed gate for the road that connects to the Spruce Creek road. Crystal Creek Road is rough and narrow - few pullouts and you have to get a bit creative to let oncoming cars pass. The numerous deep holes are the main thing that could actually prevent someone from getting up the road in a Subaru-type vehicle. Saw a 2013 Jeep Cherokee parked at the lake and a Ford Raptor coming up in the afternoon. | ||||
7/27/2020 Posted On: 7/27/2020 By: hgrote Info: On way to hike Mohawk Lakes today, was able to bring my Highlander to within 0.4 miles of end of road, but was a big puddle that I didn't chance going through. Road is in pretty decent shape. | ||||
7/12/2020 Posted On: 7/12/2020 By: cyrrus Info: Drove to crystal lake yesterday. Road is quite rough--in steeper sections, there are numerous sizeable holes. It would be very challenging to get a subaru up this road given the needed torque to get past these sections. There are also very few places to turn around if your vehicle can't hack it. Despite numerous rocks, they are nearly all quite small. All vehicles at the lake were more or less alike -- Tacomas and Jeeps. I took my xterra. Gate is open. The road is barely wide enough for 1 vehicle. Would recommend not driving up when everyone is coming down - i.e. late afternoon | ||||
6/5/2020 Posted On: 6/5/2020 By: rhammond530 Info: Clear to the upper trailhead, high clearance necessary. 4WD still closed, road has snow on it above the Crystal Creek diversion. | ||||
5/26/2020 Posted On: 5/28/2020 By: Agstrohmeier Info: Still recommend parking at the lower trailhead. You can make it about half way up the road to the other 2wd trailhead but then it is snowpacked. 4wd gate still closed, and snowed in well before the treeline. | ||||
5/23/2020 Posted On: 10/14/2020 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Spruce Creek road is still blocked by snow just a short distance about the lower, 2WD trailhead (10,400'). | ||||
4/8/2020 Posted On: 4/8/2020 By: ryannadire Info: Plowed to 2wd trailhead. Roughest part is the first two hundred yards from Hwy 9. | ||||
3/7/2020 Posted On: 3/10/2020 By: Cereal Info: Nicely plowed to TH; any 2WD vehicle (or at least my Toyota Corolla) can make it. | ||||
12/7/2019 Posted On: 12/7/2019 By: ma1919 Info: Packed snow pretty much all the way from Hwy 9 to the winter/2WD trailhead. Any vehicle with decent tires should be able to make it, although 2WD might require a little more skill. The worst part is the initial 1/4 mile right off of Hwy 9 - if you can make it up that, you'll be fine for the rest of the way. The road past the 2WD TH is blocked by a snow berm. The parking lot was probably 1/3 full at 8:30 AM on a Saturday, but there were only a few spots left around noon. | ||||
8/3/2019 Posted On: 8/3/2019 By: madmattd Info: 2WD lot half-full at 7am, way past full with cars parked along the road for 1/4mi+ at 1pm. Easily 100 cars around the main lot. Road to Upper Crystal Lakes open and numerous 4WD vehicles made it to the lake. Clearance needed moreso than 4WD/AWD. One stream crossing on the road that is a borderline rock-hop for the foot traffic, another that has a detour path to a couple logs across the creek. |
