Posted By: shapovalovm Info: I parked my Accord at 2WD TH only to later realize I could’ve driven it all the way to the upper TH. First 1.75m (of 2m) are very easy, the rest has a couple potholes and rocks. With careful maneuvering still looked doable. In fact, coming down I saw a Civic arriving to the TH. Note, you cannot park anywhere from lower TH to about .25 before upper TH, but after than there are a few pull-offs/dispersed campsites (not sure how legal they are), but no No Parking signs anymore. So even if you don’t get through the last rougher .25 m of the road, there’s a chance you can park before it starts. | ||||
Posted By: jmfb3 Info: Only a couple tough spots if you’re not in a high clearance vehicle. But there’s a ditch in the road that may cause a lot difficulty without decent clearance. You can make it in a CrossTrek or Rav4 with decent maneuvering. A pickup will make it no problem. | ||||
Posted By: hellmanm Info: Timid driver perspective: it’s Subaru-able, but just barely. I wouldn’t bring a Corolla or Fusion up there, like others have alluded to. It’s still steep and narrow, with a few obstacles that require decent clearance. It it rains (or has rained recently), your average car will be in a bit of trouble. The road has recently been maintained, though, so this is about as good as the conditions for this TH will get. | 2 |
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Posted By: nedryarson Info: Road is narrow but not terribly difficult, saw a Ford Fusion, Corolla, and Transit Connect minivan at the TH. If you’re looking for free wag bags, they are at the start of the lower creek trail and not visible from where the ditch trail begins. Make sure to print your campsite reservation as rangers are checking for them as well as bear canisters. | ||||
Posted By: happyallyy Info: There is a 2WD/Winter lot that seemed to stay pretty empty all weekend. I drive a 2WD Mercedes Sprinter and I wasn’t sure that it would make it to the TH, so I carpooled up with friends. No issues making it up in a stock Toyota RAV4. I did see a 4x4 Sprinter van at the top, along with lots of trucks and crossovers. | 1 |
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Posted By: RestlessLegSyndrome Info: Road in great shape. Made it up in a carefully driven carolla with no issues | 1 |
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Posted By: nickj3188 Info: Road dry and clear to the upper TH. High clearance definitely recommended, and 4WD incase of more rain/runoff in the steep sections, but it was dry this morning. I arrived a little after 9 and was the only car, saw 3 total on the way out. | ||||
Posted By: WillRobnett Info: went up to the 4x4 sign, road mostly dry. from there a small amount of melt water flowing at the road. Lower parking has a little runoff crossing road and looks recently melted | ||||
Posted By: Cide Info: Trailhead can hold at least a couple dozen cars and on my trip it was filled completely. There is a tougher road above trailhead and another parking lot that had one vehicle in it. Someone mentioned a jeep or toyota rolled over going to that lot the other day. Area property owners were surveying the parking lot when I got back to my vehicle. They state the parking area is used as a bathroom and they often find toilet paper in the surrounding area. There are wag bags but they state some people that ultimately use them...seal them and throw them back by the bin that holds the fresh ones. They state they are actively seeking Pitkin County help in permitting this peak. So changes may occur at some point. | ||||
Posted By: TheSpaceForce Info: 7/22 up, 7/23 down: 2WD with slightly-better-that-complete-amateur momentum management can get up this TH, no problem, on a dry road. We even saw a few sedans, but a few spots would probably be tricky with low clearance. | ||||
Posted By: alpinenut Info: Very good conditions. Definitely Subaruable. We saw a VW golf up there!! There are steep spots so non off-road tires would have a hard time in rainy conditions. | ||||
Posted By: TakeMeToYourSummit Info: Just a heads up to the 14er community - I spoke with the home owner at the 0.7 mile mark from the TH Sunday. Due to parked cars crowding the road (for a good chunk of the year) & the issues related (not being able to pass cars, cars going off the road, etc) he is working with the county to make it illegal to park anywhere up there between the Hay Park TH & the Capitol Creek TH (1.7ish miles between). Please factor this in when heading off to this TH to save yourself a potential ticket. The upper road to the TH has a couple of snow patches that will need 2 or 3 weeks to be gone completely. For what it’s worth Jimmy’s (11,845’) skied great. The trail was mainly snow free until the first meadow (that’s where our line went up). | ||||
Posted By: Unknown Info: Humpdy humps are brief, but annoying. When dry any RWD truck/SUV Crossover can make it to this TH. If you don’t care about your car, a camry probably could make it with some type 2 fun | ||||
Posted By: Gandalf69 Info: Dry road to th. Trees fell down after windy night, one hit our car. Use caution, park by small trees maybe? | ||||
Posted By: Coloradokid_ Info: 95% free of snow, a couple patches on the road with some deep ruts. A few more days of melting and 2wd cars should be able to make it all the way up. | ||||
Posted By: LetsGoMets Info: 2WD accessible to the upper TH. Steep in places, but as long as its not wet, you are good. | ||||
Posted By: Ptglhs Info: It’s more about the driver than the vehicle in my opinion. A 2 wheel drive low clearance car can make this Trailhead, if you’re careful about going at an angle of some of the berms. A Ford Fiesta made it with no damage. | ||||
Posted By: Chicago Transplant Info: Road has been graded since the last time I was here (2015), and is generally a smooth dirt road with some large water diversion berms. Those and the steepness could challenge lower clearance or 2WD vehicles. Note that parking and turnaround space above the Hay Park trailhead is very limited. Note that the creek ford to connect the Ditch Trail and Capitol Creek Trail is running about knee deep and must be waded across (no rocks or logs). If you don’t want to ford the creek, the Capitol Creek Trail has a bridge but requires 400+ feet of elevation loss/gain at the trailhead to get down there and back up. Climbed Haystack (12er), so no trail information beyond about 10,000’, but to that point there is no snow, just some muddy patches. | ||||
Posted By: Misi197 Info: Completely dry and easy navigating for any vehicle with decent clearance. There was even a Toyota Corolla parked up there in addition to the usual collection of Subarus and Toyotas. Several good pull offs should you come across another vehicle. You can certainly see how even the slightest of rain could turn the road into a slippery endeavor. For now though...easy access. | ||||
Posted By: hberry Info: Road is dry and in decent shape to the trailhead. Saw a Nissan Versa at the TH, I’m sure it bottomed out a few times on the way up. | ||||
Posted By: thurs Info: You should actually be able to drive a 2WD vehicle to the upper TH...it’s not rough at all. Saw a Chevy Malibu and a Buick up there. The berms are pretty steep though so particularly low-clearance or long wheelbase vehicles might high center. But your average honda civic should be able to make it. | ||||
Posted By: soloclimber97 Info: Road was plowed up to about a mile away from the summer trailhead. Made it up the road to the trail head in trail runners. |
