Kilpacker basin Trailhead

Posted On: 9/1/2025 By: jaquetcj
Info: Stoner Mesa fire has calmed down quite a bit but could flare up again. Kilpacker trailhead is back in business for now as it’s outside of fire ops area. As most do, pls research ahead of time and plan for these technical peaks! Climb on …

Posted On: 8/23/2025 By: Ed_Groves
Info: The road to Kilpacker Basin Trailhead was a fairly easy ride today, as usual. There are bumps here and there but nothing beyond what a typical gravel road would have. I wanted to provide this status because of the Stoner Mesa fire a few miles south of the trailhead. This fire is now 10,186 acres and is 32 percent contained per https://data.coloradoan.com/fires/stoner-mesa/2dcc2948-1162-48f8-b41a-fea15e40fdaf/. Today there was no smoke blowing into the area, though I was able to see it while at the summit of El Diente.

Posted On: 8/10/2025 By: jaquetcj
Info: Stoner Mesa fire is impacting the region. Multiple wildfire response and structure protection teams in the area and in Rico.

Kilpacker is a good trailhead to avoid for now to give these crews space to work. Find more information below

Thanks!

https://share.watchduty.org/i/57385?ts=1754847637000

Posted On: 7/7/2025 By: ochres
Info: easy and accessible to low clearance 2WD vehicles. there are some narrow spots on the road so be wary of oncoming cars. almost had someone hit us head on because they were going too fast/weren't paying attention.

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: 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.