Kilpacker basin Trailhead

Posted On: 5/26/2025 By: jfm3
Info: The dirt road can be driven from CO145 to the Kilpacker trailhead by all but the lowest 2WD vehicles. There are 2 very smashed, nearly gone snowdrifts about 3 miles up from the pavement. Otherwise the road is dry. I did talk to one person who drove up from the Dunton side and they didn't say anything about snow/mud.

Posted On: 7/23/2024 By: Istoodupthere
Info: Road is in great shape. Definitely a 2 not a 3. Id argue its closer to a 1 than a 3. Although it is narrow. Arrived at 4:30 pm on Sunday and lot was full, including camping areas. Had to park on side of road.

Posted On: 5/29/2024 By: Wentzl
Info: Here is what the snow on the road looked like today. Any vehicle with at least 4 inches of clearance should be fine to pass over.

Posted On: 5/27/2024 By: jfm3
Info: I had to park 3 miles from the pavement (2 miles from the trailhead) in a 2007 Subaru Outback on May 25. There was a large snowdrift that had been driven through, but the tire tracks were wider than my wheelbase and taller than the front of the car. Several larger vehicles (old Dodge pickup, modern Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Suburban) were able to get through from both directions. There are a few other snowdrifts across the road before exiting the trees near 10,100'. 1 more week of melting and driving through will probably allow access for all vehicles.

Posted On: 5/19/2024 By: LeftyGriffin
Info: Open from south near Dolores. Still need a week or two for snow to melt east of TH for access north of Rico.

Posted On: 7/24/2023 By: sklumb
Info: Road is smooth. Bit narrow in a couple spots, only concern. Could probably be rated a 2 in difficulty. I had no issues driving my rental Kia K5 up and down (my car is in shop for month).

Posted On: 5/27/2023 By: bergsteigen
Info: Tree or three blocks the road shortly after leaving the paved road. Makes for a tricky 5 pt turn

Posted On: 8/23/2022 By: TheSpaceForce
Info: 8/20/22: Road is in slightly worse condition than described last fall, especially with recent rains. Still no reason most vehicles couldn't make it.

Posted On: 9/27/2021 By: mtgoatmike
Info: Road is in great condition, aside from a few large potholes. Smooth driving for all vehicles! Leaves are in peek peepin' condition!

Posted On: 9/26/2021 By: LetsGoMets
Info: Moderate 2WD. Normal rocks, bumps and potholes.

Posted On: 8/22/2021 By: MountainBuhn
Info: Definitely roughish the first 1.5, then potholes the rest. Easy in a Crosstrek. Saw a few sedans there so Id still go for it if you have one. Just be careful and drive slow on the slightly rutted and rocky sections. Busy weekend for camping at the TH, but its by far the most beautiful TH outside of Mt Lindsey, Yankee Boy, or American Basin, IMO.

Posted On: 8/22/2021 By: jdenavit
Info: No issue in a Tesla model 3. Definitely accessible to passenger cars if youre careful and slow.

Posted On: 8/7/2021 By: JROSKA
Info: I did fine in a Jeep Cherokee but both me and my hiking partner were surprised at the poor condition of the road for the first 1.5 miles relative to the description. The last 3 miles or so are ok and its not to say its impassible for a passenger car. Id be careful though. This seems like at least a Subaru road. We did not see any 2WD passenger cars at the TH on Friday.

Posted On: 7/28/2021 By: toxqan
Info: While somewhat wet, with numerous water filled pot holes, I had no problems reaching the trailhead in a RAV4. The road did seem more pitted on the way out from recent rain. Although the road is a little rough in areas I imagine most passenger cars can reach the trailhead.

Posted On: 11/23/2020 By: ScreeSurfer
Info: Was able to drive all the way to Kilpacker Basin Trailhead in a Honda Passport Friday night, a little bit of drifting in the high meadow a mile short of the Trailhead made it a bit challenging (a Subaru Crosstrek was not as lucky on Saturday as it was stuck and abandoned in the middle of the road). Although I stopped at Kilpacker, their were plenty of tracks leading further west on Dunton Road.