N. Halfmoon Creek Trailhead

Posted On: 9/9/2026 By: ironman1942
Info: TH and road open all the way to the SW ridge route. Main route still taped off and most of that wilderness area is still closed. On the summit, we watched what appeared to be 2 new fires starting to the northeast of the summit near the existing burn scar. We called 911, unclear of whether it was existing smoldering, but we could see flames and large smoke plumes that grew as we made our way to the summit.

Posted On: 9/6/2026 By: madmattd
Info: I parked near the 110J junction and walked the 1/2mi each way to the upper TH, but I do think on analysis that a GOOD driver with a spotter could get a crossover up the 2 tricky spots shortly after the road junction, but they are very tricky and high-risk - not worth it imo. It's a 15min walk tops, and the campsites and other pulloffs near the 110J junction are easily accessible for crossovers.

Creek crossing by the upper TH towards Champion Mine looked pretty tame - if you can get to the TH, you ought to be able to handle the crossing right now - shallow with minimal large rocks and gentle in/out angles. Can't speak to what the road looks like past the crossing.

The road was the quietest I've ever seen it both on the way in Friday night, and on the way out Saturday afternoon. Stunning for a holiday weekend. Either people are unaware it's reopened, or the fire ban (there's a big 'ol sign near the start reinforcing the campfire ban - stage 2 in Lake County) is keeping them away. Didn't stop at least 2 people from having campfires last night...sigh.

Massive TH (for the Colorado Trail crossing) is blockaded, taped, and generally quite clear that it is closed. On my drive out to Leadville I could still see a small amount of smoldering going on in the vicinity of the East Ridge route near the Highline/CT region.

Posted On: 8/24/2026 By: soxfan249
Info: Trailhead open as of 8/21, but Massive TH is still closed.

Had no problems getting over the crux in a Sasquatch Bronco, it seems the hole mentioned in previous reports has been filled in adequately by rocks. I wouldn't want to take anything without clearance and 4x4 up this road though. Not Subaru-able IMO - but the Halfmoon Creek TH is.

Posted On: 7/10/2026 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Trailhead is currently closed due to the Willow fire

Posted On: 6/22/2026 By: koconnor
Info: We were not able to get past the last obstacle in a 2" lifted Tacoma. As the previous post suggested, the line would be far left with a spotter very close to the edge. We parked at a pull out below the obstacle at 39.15176, -106.45814.

Posted On: 6/7/2026 By: paigemoney
Info: The last obstacle before the upper trailhead is becoming more difficult. We had trouble getting two Wranglers through it (one stock with off-road tires and the other lifted with off-road tires). What worked for us was keeping the driver’s-side front tire on the high point to the left and maintaining steady throttle. A spotter is helpful for ensuring you don’t get too close to the edge. The descent was much easier. On our way down Sunday, there was a lifted Rubicon parked just below the obstacle. It appeared someone had attempted to fill the problematic hole with rocks, but it wasn't enough.

At the upper lot, we only saw Wranglers and 4Runners. I believe we passed a Tacoma on the way out. The series of potholes leading up to the obstacle are also monsters. In its current condition, I would not consider the upper trailhead “Subaruable”.

We parked at the upper trailhead and didn’t need to go further, so I didn’t attempt the river crossing. I saw a modified Jeep and several UTVs cross the river without issues, but the water is flowing fast and it looks deep.

We drove in Saturday and out Sunday. There was heavy UTV traffic Saturday evening, including loud music, bright lights, and alcohol consumption. Things settled down around dark, but it could be frustrating if you're trying to get to bed early before a summit day.

Posted On: 5/11/2026 By: PedroCO
Info: All clear and dry to the TH. Def moderate 4wd for the last half mile or so. High clearance fosho.

Posted On: 11/23/2025 By: notidealbutfine
Info: Climbed Mt. Oklahoma from the Mt. Massive TH. When the road turns to dirt, there was about about 2 inches of packed snow that was easy to drive with AWD. Even though I stopped at the Mt. Massive TH, I could have easily gone another 1.5 miles to just before the steep section below the North Halfmoon Creek TH. Probably will change with the weather tonight, but if you're moderately adventurous and have a decent vehicle you could make it a good mile or more past the Mt. Massive TH without issue.

Posted On: 10/21/2025 By: Sbenfield
Info: The two obstacles toward the end were more difficult than I was expecting. Made it up in a 4-runner but found it trickier than most 4wd roads detailed on this site.

Posted On: 9/21/2025 By: MaryinColorado
Info: I thought there was only one obstacle. But in addition to the one known, big obstacle, there was another pretty rough section with deep ruts. Standard SUV would have a hard time with either/both.

Posted On: 8/18/2025 By: adamorsubtractem
Info: I'm a decent driver and had no trouble getting our Subaru Outback over the final crux 1-2 years ago with good line selection and proper trail tires, but I'm going to echo others' observations: the trail does seem to have degraded past the point of "Subaruability". I'm personally only taking 4x4's on this trail from now on!

Posted On: 8/5/2025 By: darkhelmet1983
Info: Had no problems all the way to the 4wd TH this morning in the dark. The first "obstacle" isn't too bad just don't go through the middle or deep enough into the holes to get high centered. It's a rock and pothole garden with one line on the right side and another on the left side with a couple tall rocks in the middle. The second obstacle earns that title and is an embedded rocky outcropping which has no easy or other than high clearance lines. There was a newer, unmodified Grand Cherokee at the upper TH for reference with the rest of us in wranglers or off road trucks. Parking for maybe 6-8 vehicles at the upper TH. Two pics of the first obstacle and three of the second. Best line on the second is likely on the left side, but I took the fun way up the rocks on the right side.

Posted On: 8/2/2025 By: R7777777
Info: I tend to be a bit overzealous with my vehicle on rough trailheads, but I’d say most SUVs with AWD should be able to make it to the junction without issue—as long as you take it slow and pick good lines. From the junction, you can actually continue another 200–300 yards where you’ll find parking on both sides of the road.

That said, beyond the junction, I would not recommend continuing unless you have a true high-clearance 4WD vehicle. The road gets noticeably rougher. Parking at the junction only adds about 0.4 to 0.5 miles to your hike—roughly 10 extra minutes.

Posted On: 7/23/2025 By: kade_Fink
Info: Breeze all the way to the two crux's of this road. The two crux's are very difficult if you don't have proper vehicle. Made it to the top in 2 door jeep rubicon with aired down tires. Mostly jeeps and high clearance trucks at top. Not worth it to continue without proper vehicle.

Posted On: 7/13/2025 By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Yup, the rating on the final 0.5 mile of the road is 4/6 (moderate 4wd) this year. So, when you get to the FS 110J junction, you'll probably want to park in this area. Only go higher if you have 4WD and high clearance. AWD SUVs should not attempt the last 0.5 mile.