Nellie Creek Trailhead

Posted On: 6/5/2011 By: stevevets689
Info: Took my Jeep Cherokee and was able to drive past the first creek crossing up some switchbacks and was stopped by a major drift a couple hundred yards before the second crossing, about 2 miles short of the summer trailhead. First creek crossing was wide but not deep at all, no problem. Watch for rocks. Large drift continues until the second crossing which was difficult in ski boots. There are a couple small drifts after that but nothing major (i.e. requiring snowshoes or skis) until about a mile later, at the end of a large meadow. Coverage from there on is fairly widespread.

Posted On: 5/29/2011 By: JsinDeAZ
Info: Was able to get about 2.1 miles up the road. Snow drifts are way too deep after this point (maybe 75% chance with a tractor). Rocks had fallen in road and we stopped and moved them in several spots. One big slide across road was barely passable to one side. Creek crossing expanded considerably in the one day we were up and it'll probably get wider with runoff. Still lots of snow up high.

Posted On: 4/13/2011 By: PKelley
Info: Just letting everyone know that the first 1/4 to 1/2 mile of the Nellie Creek Road is plowed and that much of it is passible for 4WD with good tires. Hey it cuts a mile off of the hike right now..... More to follow in the coming weeks.

Posted On: 4/2/2011 By: pioletski
Info: Henson Creek Road is plowed and dry a short way past Nellie Creek. The 4wd Nellie Creek Road is still snowpacked.

Posted On: 12/14/2010 By: globreal
Info: For access to Uncompahgre Peak, County Rd 20 (Henson Creek Rd) is driveable to County Rd 23 (Nellie Creek/4WD road) as of Dec. 13, 2010. I was told this road is plowed throughout the winter (to the Nellie Creek turnoff) however, they don‘t plow it on weekends.

Posted On: 10/19/2010 By: timf
Info: Bone dry without a trace of snow as of 10/14 & 10/15. Zero snow at 12K‘ and light snow at 13K‘ on Uncompahgre.

Posted On: 9/17/2010 By: tlee83
Info: After reading about the road up to the Uncompaghre TH, we were concerned that our RAV 4 wouldn‘t make it, but we had absolutely no trouble and made it all the way. Other vehicles at the top - 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, Tundra (it was a Toyota party), and 2 Jeep Cherokees. As we were driving down a Chevy Blazer was going up. I felt there were several places to pull over in case you meet someone going opposite way. Glad we didn‘t have to hike that extra 8 miles!

Posted On: 7/22/2010 By: FCSquid
Info: Road is easily passable to the upper trailhead with 4x4 and decent clearance. Any stock 4WD with clearance should have no trouble getting to the top.

Posted On: 6/19/2010 By: unclegar
Info: Clear to the top. Two stream crossings weren‘t too high. According to a local the level peaked about a week and a half ago and is declining now. Pretty rough for a CRV but it is possible. :-)

Posted On: 5/24/2010 By: highplaces
Info: Same as 5/16 report. Able to drive to within 1.5 miles of summer TH. Beyond this the road is impassable due to snow, dirt slides and rockfall.

Posted On: 5/16/2010 By: JosephG
Info: Nellie Creek is dry until ~1-1.5 miles from the summer TH. Approximately 1.7 miles up from Henson Road, there is a wide, but shallow, creek crossing. After the road forks at 2.3 miles, there are receding, passable snow drifts. After ~2.8 miles, snow drifts sporadically cover the road making it impassable both because of the drifts and rockfall.

Posted On: 4/16/2010 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Henson creek road is open to the Nellie Creek 2WD trailhead. Nellie Creek 4WD road is still snow-covered and vehicles must park at the bottom. There were some long, rough sections along the 4WD road, so snowmobiles will also have a tough time right now. We were able to carefully ride the sleds 2.5 miles up the road.

Posted On: 1/12/2010 By: Kiefer
Info: Hansen Creek Road is plowed down to bare dirt a short ways past the outhouse (which is stocked BTW). A 2x4 vehicle can make it to the lower trailhead. If you have truck or Jeep, DO NOT try and take it up the 4x4 road. It‘s packed down fairly well but there is a healthy amt of ice buildup underneath. The road is packed all the way to the 1st creek crossing and after that, a decent trench goes all the way to the upper 4x4 trailhead and beyond.
There‘s a few places to turn around and park as well along the road.

Posted On: 7/6/2009 By: theredmex
Info: Drove up 2 Jul with no problems in a 4runner. Some muddy spots due to recent rain & streams were easy to get through. Camped up close to trailhead in a great spot. If you‘re in Lake City for dinner, check out Restaurant & Cafe Sol. Delicious! I had the Virado a Paulista and my fiance had the Salmon Tapas. Both were great!! Mocha Moose Coffer around the corner has great Espresso and Coffee Milkshakes.

Posted On: 6/29/2009 By: Ericjlindy
Info: Free of snow. Streams are fast but no problems crossing. Watch for fallin rock.