10/16/2021 Posted On: 10/17/2021 By: KevinInFoCo Info: Gate is open, road is mostly clear of snow all the way to Kite Lake. Several really rough spots especially above the switchbacks. But probably any 4WD or AWD can make it with some care and determination. I made it all the way up just fine in Toyota Highlander AWD, although the road conditions are much worse than I remember them last time I was up there Dec 2020. Bathrooms are open, free of snow, and stocked with tp. Cleanliness? Ehh... | ||||
9/14/2021 Posted On: 9/16/2021 By: Mrzx9r Info: Got a low ground clearance 2WD conversion van just past the switchback. I parked and camped there - there are a few cutouts you can park in. After that it gets real bad, real fast- definitely high-clearance needed to avoid damage. Was entertaining listening to low-clearance cars/trucks try to make it past there. Lots of expensive sounding banging off of rocks. Maybe an 1/8 mile walk up to the trailhead from there. | ||||
8/31/2021 Posted On: 8/31/2021 By: CommanderDawn Info: I appeared to be the first day-use arrival at 5:45am on this Tuesday with good weather. The parking lot wasnt more than half full all day. I finished around 1pm and saw warnings on windshields for vehicles that hadnt paid the $5. The last section of road after the hairpin turn was worse than reports led me to believe (in my opinion, worse than the forest road to Grays TH last week). There were several spots I didnt feel had a workable line even with my Forester. Really the entire last mile needs to be taken with caution as there are a few rogue potholes and one big boulder hiding in thr good section. Saw several day-use vehicles parked right after the hairpin. | ||||
7/17/2021 Posted On: 7/21/2021 By: Roll_Tide Info: Good ride until the last 1/4 mile. Non-high clearance vehicles should use caution and probably park before the first hairpin turn. Restrooms did have TP. | ||||
6/24/2021 Posted On: 6/24/2021 By: strausnb Info: Road was mostly clear, a few small puddles that were easily avoidable. Made it to the top of the road with my 2016 honda accord, just have to take your time for the last 0.5 mile or so due to pot holes, bumps, and rocks. Only scraped once on the way down but it was my fault for not going slow enough over a bump. Otherwise the rest of the road is smooth and high flying! | ||||
6/21/2021 Posted On: 6/23/2021 By: Gweilo climber Info: Trail was dry, saw a couple of sedans and an Odyssey minivan, so FWD will get you to the campground even though the terrain was really rough. Take your time to navigate the boulders, washboard and some ruts (and watch out for the speed 'dips'. Only 2 other vehicles when we got there at 5.40 am and only a dozen there when we completed Democrat at 10.30am. Lot was clean and the restrooms had been maintained | ||||
6/18/2021 Posted On: 6/19/2021 By: wolfgangstiller Info: Road is in good shape until the last 800 feet before the end. At that point, 4wd, or very careful driving will get you to the end. You can park just before the rough section but be sure to pay the $5 parking fee since this is in the fee area. Saw some tickets on cars parked there. | ||||
6/5/2021 Posted On: 6/5/2021 By: etutter Info: Kite Lake Trailhead is now open. Most vehicles should be able to make it to the trailhead but the last half mile would be easier with a 4WD. | 2 |
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5/2/2021 Posted On: 5/2/2021 By: kalestew Info: TH is temporarily closed from 5/1 - 5/31/21 (see https://www.outtherecolorado.com/colorado-mountain-club/html_cbfecb4a-aa9b-11eb-9a1f-eb0682465af2.html) | 3 |
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4/25/2021 Posted On: 4/25/2021 By: Buckie06 Info: Lots of snow on the road. Trucks and high clearance SUVs can make it to 1.6miles below the summer trailhead if you're a capable driver. Many cars and subarus were parking much lower. | 2 |
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4/25/2021 Posted On: 4/26/2021 By: Brad44650 Info: Dry road until right before Paris Mill, but quickly becomes very snowy and rutted. A high clearance vehicle can get to about 0.5mi from the private land sign. Personally got the Subi stuck about 100yds up from the last parked car roughly 0.5 from the sign; spent an hour digging out before reversing to the cars below. Seemed to be melting rapidly on our descent hours later; but the gate remains closed. Best case is 1.5-2mi from parking to the lake. | ||||
4/10/2021 Posted On: 4/10/2021 By: 14er101 Info: The road is plowed and dry up to the private property sign. The gate is still closed so do not go past the parking area before the private property; any car should be able to make it about 2 miles from Kite Lake. | ||||
4/4/2021 Posted On: 4/4/2021 By: serveJesusChrist Info: A high clearance vehicle can make it to 1.2 miles from the trailhead. My Subaru had no problem. A sedan might make it that far with skilled driving, but you would be likely to scrape your bottom. The road is closed beyond that point. | ||||
3/7/2021 Posted On: 3/7/2021 By: shapovalovm Info: Road is mostly dry till around 1.5 miles to Kite Lake. Doable in any vehicle. | ||||
3/2/2021 Posted On: 3/4/2021 By: Clint the climber Info: Plowed to the inner gate about a mile from the summer trailhead. The mine has put up "no parking" signs here where the plowing ends so you have to park down the road below the private property sign, but it doesn't add more than a half-mile. In total, you can get to about a mile and a half of the summer trailhead. | 1 |
