6/26/2015 Posted On: 6/27/2015 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Open, if you have a reservation | ||||
8/9/2014 Posted On: 8/11/2014 By: OutbackDobbs Info: I made it up the four-wheel drive road from the ranch to the trailhead in a Ford Escape Hybrid with all-wheel drive. So I was not even driving a true four-wheel drive and I still made it up the road. In fact the road was much better than I was expecting it to be and I went right up it with no problems. I thought going down it was harder than going up because of how steep the road is. I kept my vehicle in low gear and carefully work my way through the rougher sections of the road and made it back to the ranch with no issues. Based on what I saw it looks like the ranch is using the hiking fees to keep that road in good condition. | ||||
6/28/2014 Posted On: 6/28/2014 By: jsdratm Info: I made it up in my Subaru Forester OK today. The road is quite steep so i had it floored in 1st gear on several stretches. The ruts are easily avoided. | ||||
6/20/2014 Posted On: 6/23/2014 By: mspalding Info: No 2wd. If you try a 2wd you can straddle the large ruts on the way to the ranch. And you could pick your way around rocks and more ruts after the ranch. But the road from the ranch to Fourway is so steep, I could only get up to 10 to 15 miles/hour with the accelerator of my 4wd floored. And some of the steep stuff was littered with loose rock. On another note, camping is allowed. The ok to camp sign was stolen, but I talked to the ranch hand and he encourages you to use the flat area across from the outhouse and on the corner with the telephone pole. Lots of good flat sites. Just step through the bars. | 2 |
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7/6/2013 Posted On: 7/24/2013 By: zdero1 Info: The road was in great condition and easily passable in my Subaru Forester. I don‘t know how conditions were last year, but this road should be easily traversable by a Jeep or any 4wd vehicle. I only saw 4wd vehicles at the TH but a very determined driver of a 2wd vehicle could make it IMO. | ||||
6/24/2012 Posted On: 6/24/2012 By: --bb-- Info: One minor note: the gas station at the intersection of Highway 159 and P.6 (4th street) in San Luis is now a Conoco (not Phillips 66). Also, the 4wd road is fine. Just make sure you are comfortable driving. Carlos helped two jeeps out yesterday. if you are weary about driving, go up the hill last or ask a fellow hiker for a lift. | 2 |
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6/23/2012 Posted On: 6/23/2012 By: jfaust Info: Road to the ranch HQ can be driven by any car, very dusty. Recommend clearance and 4WD for anything past that. The clearance doesn‘t need to be anything crazy, but due to the steepness in several sections of road it is very easy to spin out in 2WD. | ||||
8/28/2011 Posted On: 8/28/2011 By: Roald Info: Just want to make sure everyone is clear that the road from the gate to the ranch headquarters is great, but the road from the headquarters to four way and on to the upper trailhead is terrible. You will need AWD at a minimum, and decent clearance would help. Several people had to get rides from 4WD vehicles today from the ranch. It sure doesn't look like they're using some of the $100 fee to maintain this road, or at least not using enough of it. | ||||
12/13/2009 Posted On: 12/13/2009 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Closed for the winter | ||||
5/20/2009 Posted On: 5/20/2009 By: Corndiggs Info: The ranch is now taking reservations for the summer. They told me the first day will be June 27th. Same number as posted below. | ||||
5/3/2009 Posted On: 5/3/2009 By: RoanMtnMan Info: As of 5/2/09 the TH was covered starting 1.6 miles above the ranch HQ. The ranch management will not let anyone past this mark in motorized vehicles until the snow melts. The snowpack on the road until 4-way is very water lubricated and makes for difficult travel with snowshoes or skis. | ||||
1/29/2009 Posted On: 1/29/2009 By: CO Native Info: The Cielo Vista Ranch will begin taking reservations on May 16th. You may contact the ranch at 254-897-7872 on that date to begin making reservations. | ||||
6/29/2008 Posted On: 6/29/2008 By: Rockymtnhigh69 Info: The trail up to Fourway is completely dry where our group parked. A couple of folks drove right up to the top parking lot with no problem. The road is in good shape. There are some ruts and some erosion from streams running down the road but they can be easily avoided with some care.. | ||||
7/22/2005 Posted On: 7/22/2005 By: downhilldave Info: The road to the gate and to the ranch HQ is maintained and in good shape (passable in a passenger car. There is some room at the gate to camp along the road. The road above the ranch gets steep and there are some waterbars and rocks in the road that would require a high-clearence car. | ||||
5/31/2005 Posted On: 5/31/2005 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Reservations are required and there is a fee to hike the peak. Call 254-897-7872 for reservations or access information. The road to the ranch is always open but the ranch is gated. The ranch owners allow climbing during summer when the road to the trailhead is fully open (easy 4WD to 11,650'). |
