3 3/12/2016 Posted On: 3/13/2016 By: emgordon Info: We parked approximately 4.5 miles from the summer trailhead. For the first 1/3 of the way, boots were fine. Then we reached a parked/stuck Ford about 3 miles from the summer TH and put on traction. This was good for about the next 1/3 until we encountered crusty/spring snow and put on snowshoes for the last 1/3 of the walk. You definitely need flotation past the summer TH, but we couldn't find the true start of the trail, so don't follow our tracks. The road is definitely not skiable without new snow, too many bare or icy spots. On the way down, we kept snowshoes on all the way to the Ford because it was softened up. Nice, scenic trip especially not seeing anyone else for most of the morning. | ||||
10/24/2015 Posted On: 10/24/2015 By: dhaines Info: With good, dry conditions, a 2WD sedan should make up to the trailhead with caution, slow speed to the LOWER parking lot (I've done it in a Honda Civic in 2011 & 2013). An AWD small SUV should be able to make it to the upper parking lot (I've done it it in mud/slush in 2015). The road is pretty rough just past the Hessie trailhead. If that makes you nervous then turn back. The road is calmer after that for a while, but gets just as rough and more as you get closer to the trailhead. Attached is a photo of the UPPER parking lot on 10/24/2015. (Two sedans were in the lower parking lot). | ||||
10/16/2015 Posted On: 10/19/2015 By: David Tennant Info: Road was good all the way to the TH. There were 4-5 sections on the way there that looked rough but navigable with a passenger car, but literally the last few hundred feet convinced me that a passenger car is a bad idea. There‘s a huge rut and tree root sticking out the road which would most certainly give you a hard time, right as you are passing the outhouse, and just after the TH sign. I‘d only recommend a higher clearance vehicle. | ||||
7/26/2015 Posted On: 7/27/2015 By: adrenalated Info: Road is in good condition, better than I‘ve seen it in the past. Doable in a passenger car if you‘re careful, but better to take an Outback/crossover SUV or the like for a stress-free experience. Complete junkshow at the TH, as crowded as I‘ve ever seen it. | ||||
5/16/2015 Posted On: 5/16/2015 By: jjb7733 Info: The road is open but it is in considerably worse condition than the last time I posted. The potholes are bigger and there are large puddles but the road is mostly clear of snow. I took an Xterra up this time, I would wait a couple more weeks before attempting this in a 2wd car. I took a splitboard with me but it was too spotty to skin up until getting close to tree line. Still a lot of fun, but snowshoes would be useful for the first 1.5 miles or so. Picture of the skin track posted. | ||||
8/13/2014 Posted On: 8/19/2014 By: centrifuge Info: I know the previous poster indicated he got a Jetta up there early in the season, but my Mazda 3 bottomed out in a way I wasn‘t willing to push any farther 1.8 miles up the road with no way to avoid it. If a person doesn‘t like their low clearance car you can probably get up to the trail head, but if you don‘t like the sound of metal on rock low clearance vehicles will struggle to get past some spots on this road. | ||||
6/14/2014 Posted On: 6/19/2014 By: jjb7733 Info: My VW jetta made it to the trailhead no problem, just a couple minor scrapes | ||||
5/17/2014 Posted On: 5/24/2014 By: jjb7733 Info: Fourth of July road still closed | ||||
7/27/2013 Posted On: 7/30/2013 By: forbins_mtn Info: 2WD can make it up there. Just be careful. Get there early to secure a parking spot. Make sure you have an exit because when you return to your car there is no guarantee some idiot won‘t block you in. | ||||
5/17/2013 Posted On: 6/4/2013 By: SmokedNutz Info: Noticed it wasn‘t updated... thought I‘d try my hand at a first post. Completely clear all the way up to the trailhead, was a fun drive as a first time up there two weeks ago, just some puddles and a small amount of mud along the way. Drove my 2wd Ranger up there, I‘m sure a competent car driver could make it. | ||||
12/2/2012 Posted On: 12/2/2012 By: jeremy27 Info: Trailhead is still open to all vehicles. I saw a couple passenger cars and the usual awd and 4wd. There is some ice but it‘s passable. | ||||
10/14/2012 Posted On: 10/15/2012 By: jeremy27 Info: Muddy with some puddles from Saturday‘s storms but passable by most any car with car. | 1 |
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5/25/2012 Posted On: 5/31/2012 By: JEyez Info: 2WD VW Passat got up no problem. | ||||
5/20/2012 Posted On: 5/20/2012 By: ElFuegoDelaMuerte Info: Fully open. I drove my 2wd Chevy in there over the weekend. | ||||
4/23/2012 Posted On: 4/23/2012 By: thatnissanguy Info: Road passable for 4x4 only, 3.2 miles from end of pavement in Eldora. After 3.2 miles snow becomes continuous and deep (ice and unconsolidated drifts to 3 ft). Should be melted out in about 3 weeks. Hessie Trailhead passable to high clearance 4x4 only due to high water. |
