6/1/2014 Posted On: 6/2/2014 By: Alby426 Info: The trailhead to Chrystal peak, Father Dyer is only open to the 2wd lot. There is a huge snow bank past that. The road up to Chrystal lakes , after about 1/4 miles of trailhead, is covered in snow. The snowpack on the road is thick and, it will take a while to melt. | ||||
6/5/2013 Posted On: 6/6/2013 By: adrenalated Info: Crystal Creek Road is passable for ~0.5mi from split, to about 10,900‘. Not too much snow on road past year, so it should melt quickly. Road is real 4x4 and requires low range gearbox and clearance (my stock Tundra had no issues). Spruce Creek Road is passable for ~1.5mi from winter TH to around 10,950‘, then is blocked by avalanche debris. This road is passable for anything with a bit of clearance - Subaru Outbacks, AWD SUVs, etc. | ||||
5/5/2012 Posted On: 5/6/2012 By: jeremy27 Info: Drove up spruce creek rd, past the winter trailhead, to where the road intersects the Wheeler trail (Aquaduct Rd too maybe - I‘m not certain but thats what it looks like on the map) just below the east ridge of Helen in my 4wd stock Ford Ranger. 4wd was necessary but we saw a Subaru up there too. Snow is not a problem and another 4wd truck passed us and traveled further up the road so I assume the road is clear for some distance past that point. | ||||
8/23/2011 Posted On: 8/24/2011 By: mstender Info: I drove all the way to the gate on Aqueduct Rd in a RAV4 4WD without any problems. There are a couple of deep ruts (dry) that require a little bit of clearance. | ||||
6/12/2011 Posted On: 6/12/2011 By: dougald Info: I drove about halfway to the upper parking today in my Rav 4 before snow forced a halt. A higher-clearance 4WD probably could have made it to the top without much trouble. Should be fully open within 3 or 4 days, I‘d estimate. | ||||
6/5/2011 Posted On: 6/9/2011 By: Nathan Hale Info: The standard winter parking lot is easily accessible, and most 2wd drive vehicles can get here (they were fixing some rough spots). Beyond that there is lots of snow, and you couldn‘t even start onto the 4wd roads. | ||||
7/14/2010 Posted On: 7/14/2010 By: kaiman Info: I just wanted to post an update that there is lots of water running down the 4WD road about 3/4 mile below Lower Crystal Lake. There is also a tricky stream crossing in the willows around treeline that I watched several parties negotiate with a second person directing them from outside the vehicle. Still drivable, but does require some caution. | ||||
6/28/2010 Posted On: 6/28/2010 By: IHikeLikeAGirl Info: I'm sure everyone knows this by now, but thought I'd add it anyway. Clear all the way until the road ends at the Spruce Creak TH, was wet in spots, but not muddy with all the rock imbedded in the road. As far as 4WD roads go, this one wasn't bad at all (IMHO). Any 4WD with reasonable clearance can make it with some care in a few spots. Saw a Subaru up there, but I probably wouldn‘t have taken a Subaru to the end. Not a ton of parking at the end, but there were several places to park between the lower 4WD parking and the upper. Beautiful area with a great trail, definitely worth the trip. | ||||
5/31/2010 Posted On: 6/3/2010 By: clemsonmtneer Info: Road is clear to the 2wd TH. Past this parking area, 4wd vehicles can make it another tenth of a mile up the road before there is a split... from this point, there is a gate blocking the Crystal Creek Road (which we hiked up) to the right, while to the left it looks like you can probably drive a good ways up the Spruce Creek Road... however, we didn‘t go down this road so I don‘t know how far you can make it. |
