6/28/2025 Posted On: 6/28/2025 By: lexijune27 Info: Got to the 4WD trailhead gate in a stock 4Runner. Creek crossings were fine - water half way up the tires at the deepest. Roughest parts were right after the 2nd creek crossing and then one other spot further up the road where we ended up on 3 wheels. Doable with a capable and confident driver but would have been easier with a little more clearance and/or lockers. Plenty of room to park and camp near the trailhead. | ||||
6/18/2025 Posted On: 6/19/2025 By: carmitz001 Info: Creeks looked fordable with a high clearance 4WD and skilled driver, but I didn't risk it with my Jeep since I got stuck here last summer. Walking across barefoot wasn't too difficult. | 1 |
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8/31/2024 Posted On: 9/3/2024 By: hatterasdunton Info: Absolutely need a high clearance 4WD vehicle to get past initial turn off to Rockdale TH. Subarus and sedans should park immediately off 390 | ||||
8/6/2024 Posted On: 8/6/2024 By: Ritzn1 Info: Did this in a stock 2007 Jeep Liberty with Backcountry AT tires, no lift. Handled it like a boss! Liberties don't get enough credit! Stream crossings were epic, especially driving down Clear Creek for 50+ yards! True, the initial road right after Lake Fork stream crossing is enough to make one rethink their plans, but with creative rock and log placement, is crossable, along with careful 4WD navigation the rest of the way. Definitely allow a good hour for the road portion. Road is dry for most part, and upper 4WD parking and campsite is nice and broad. Great campsites near the lake as well, if you're planning on overnight. | 2 |
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7/27/2024 Posted On: 7/27/2024 By: Baylorhurt Info: Trail directions were helpful until you have to cross the stream. First part is confusing because you have to drive about 50yd down the stream and turn right to find the first stream crossing. Deepest part at about 18. Gross road right after second stream crossing and bottomed out. Rest of the road is good. Did it in a 2005 sports edition 4Runner thats stocked with clearance of 9.1. | ||||
7/13/2024 Posted On: 7/15/2024 By: USAKeller Info: Made across both creek crossings no problem in a 2015 Nissan Xterra with a 2" lift. Deepest part of the creek may have been around 18". | ||||
7/5/2024 Posted On: 7/5/2024 By: SherpaSara Info: Creek is about knee-deep, or just above, for those fording it. Plenty of jeeps, etc at the upper TH this July 4, fyi. | 1 |
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7/3/2024 Posted On: 7/8/2024 By: JJProwe Info: Creek was ~18" deep; made it to the trailhead in a 2021 Ford Ranger w/ 1" lift and skid plate but stock everything else. | 2 |
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5/26/2024 Posted On: 5/27/2024 By: KansasBoarder Info: 5/24 Update (1) First stream crossing is 12-18 deep most of the day due to beaver dam. Alternate jeep line (right side 1st crossing) possible for super short wheel base vehicles. (2) Snow patches on FR381 start at .5 miles after stream. By .7 miles they are consistently knee to thigh deep. And there are lots of them. Motorized travel (non snow machine) impossible at this time. | ||||
5/1/2024 Posted On: 5/1/2024 By: jmanner Info: Very dry to the creek crossing. Dry on the other side but its intermittent snow for the first .8 mile and then its mostly continuous. Melting quick though. | 1 |
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9/16/2023 Posted On: 9/16/2023 By: kyrawhitworth Info: So there is now a beaver dam at the first crossing. In the dark on 9/16, we sent it and made it over in the FJ with some large sticks to boot. We stacked a couple rocks after the second crossing to gain better traction. The crossing was easier in the daylight layer in the day but still had to go a bit fast to get over the dam. | 2 |
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9/3/2023 Posted On: 9/5/2023 By: supranihilest Info: Easy to ford Clear Creek on foot now, water is about shin deep. Only vehicles I saw past the creek crossing were 4Runners, pickups, Broncos, and Jeeps. Starting down low adds approximately 6 miles and 1,100 vert round trip. | ||||
7/27/2023 Posted On: 8/1/2023 By: Alam3503 Info: Water conditions are good on the crossings. 12-18". Best recommendation is to hug the left side when in the water going up for shallower levels. Ascent out of the second crossing is still the hardest part of the trail. Lost part of a nerf bar step when we slipped coming out and sheered it on a rock. Could have took a better angle and stacked some rocks to make life easier. Clohesy Lake had alot of hiking traffic over the 4 days we were out there. Parking is still a problem at the gate. SR5 4runner - 2" lift and 33" tires | ||||
7/21/2023 Posted On: 7/24/2023 By: Dad Mike Info: Made it up the road in my 2001 Jeep Wragler...32" tires, no lift. The river crossings were not too deep and kind of fun. The exit above the 2nd river is by far the crux. It took me several attempts and it was not pretty. I had to build a ramp with boulders and a small log. Above that, there is only one other tricky section, but you just need to take a look at the best way to get up it. Coming down was much easier than going up on both of these spots. See pics attached on the way down. | 2 |
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7/20/2023 Posted On: 7/21/2023 By: frigidridge Info: The river is forge-able. If you're looking for where the crossing is the 4WD road is just a little further to the west of where those cabins by the road are. River went up past my knees (like 18") and you have to wade down the road/river a bit to find the other side but the current is not too strong. | 2 |
