9/20/2024 Posted On: 9/26/2024 By: Oats Info: First half mile was very rocky with some large boulders. Hit the rock slider on otherwise stock Jeep Wrangler on the way up and down. The rest of 248.1 is in good condition. Took about 1h to get to the Waldorf site from Guanella Pass road. | ||||
7/13/2024 Posted On: 7/16/2024 By: samenos Info: Drove to Waldorf Mine on 7/13 in my stock 4Runner SR5. The road was a lot rougher than I thought it was going to be. The first quarter mile or so was easily ether roughest part, there are a couple of obstacles that required thoughtful line choice. After the first quarter mile, the road was bumpy but very straightforward if you stay on 248.1. Dont use Google maps, I met a couple who took 248.1B because of Google maps and it sounded a lot rougher the whole way. I would not recommend trying to drive this in anything less than what I had and would probably consider this road a 4 in the 14ers.com rating system. In the afternoon there were a ton of jeeps/SxS, so be prepared to back up and remember vehicles going uphill have right of way. | ||||
7/23/2023 Posted On: 7/23/2023 By: IkeB Info: Dry. I wanted to post up that about 1 mile in at a sharp curve you come to 2481B. The directions make it sound like you turn here. Looks like I as well as some others have mistakenly taken this turn DO NOT. Just stay on 2481 and it is a pleasant drive all the way to the mine. | ||||
7/16/2023 Posted On: 7/16/2023 By: dssmith15 Info: The road up to the TH is gnarly. Made the mistake of not taking the turn up to Leavenworth and stayed on Waldorf Wagon Road. We had to back out as the road was washed up then made it up to Leavenworth. Not ideal. Thankfully in a jeep. Definitely need some high clearance. The beginning of the road right off of Guanella Pass is probably the worst if you do stay on Leavenworth after that. | ||||
7/8/2023 Posted On: 7/8/2023 By: LoveThisSite Info: The road is very rough - high clearance 4WD only. The worst part is right at the beginning of the Leavenworth Creek road. | ||||
6/24/2023 Posted On: 6/24/2023 By: KentonB Info: Road is clear all the way to Waldorf Mine. However, Argentine Pass Road has several impassible snow banks over the road. | ||||
6/16/2023 Posted On: 6/17/2023 By: dubsho3000 Info: Clear to the mine except one challenging patch of snow and ice. If you can get through the initial roughness near Guanella Pass road, the snow and ice patch will not be a problem. | ||||
5/21/2023 Posted On: 5/21/2023 By: hr011242 Info: Got to about 10,500 (FSR 248.1B/248.1 junction) before parking on the side of the road due to snow drifts. | ||||
6/22/2022 Posted On: 6/22/2022 By: nharbour Info: Made it to the old mine and then almost to Mclellan peak but had to stop very near the end due to a patch of snow. If you're coming in soon after this I'd advice turning around at 248.1 J (H at the latest if you don't mind a rather treacherous 3-point turn) if you don't want to back up the road for quite a way. Driving an otherwise stock Subaru Outback Wilderness. It took me much longer than previous posters (3 hours each way) as this was my first time offroading, the road is very rocky all of the way and I was a bit squeamish about hitting the rocks too fast. | ||||
8/20/2021 Posted On: 8/21/2021 By: krishcane Info: You can take 248.1 all the way to the summit ridge of McClellan at 13,000 feet. You get incredible views into the Grays/Torreys approach valley from there, and it's like 0.75 miles and 500 vertical feet to the true summit of McClellan if you just want to bag it. As others have said, a stock SUV can do it if you are a skilled driver and there is no snow. I took my Honda CRV all the way up. It was 11 miles total from the Waldorf turnoff to the summit (about 6 miles to the mine - 5 more to the summit ridge), which took me 2 hours one-way. I found the COTrex app extremely helpful for navigating the mess of 4WD roads up there (248.1, 248.1P, 248.1K, 248.1D, etc.). Obviously this would be more a 4WD adventure than hiking adventure, but it's pretty, uncrowded, and a nice option when your legs need a rest. | ||||
7/19/2021 Posted On: 7/20/2021 By: PikaSteve Info: Looking through all of the condition reports, I saw a wide range of experiences. My conclusion was to keep switchbacking up until reaching the old railroad bed (star on attached map). This will keep you up high on FS 248.1 (not the lower 248.1B). I agree that the most difficult section of road is the first 200 yards and the road becomes easy once you reach the old railroad bed. After reaching the railroad bed, my only concern was the long stretches of narrow road. Luckily, I didn't need to back up for oncoming uphill traffic. Beware of Google Maps as it will try to send you on 248.1B and 248.1K. I met a new friend who had a white knuckle experience driving up 248.1B, but was very content following me down 248.1. I'm a conservative driver and it took me about an hour to drive from Georgetown to the Waldorf mine, so I could have driven to Keystone and the Argentine Pass trailhead in similar time. | 1 |
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7/7/2021 Posted On: 7/7/2021 By: GordoByrn Info: We headed up 248.1B, which stays close to the creek. Came down the more standard way. Like the previous poster said, if you make the 1st mile then you'll make it. My 4Runner, Off Road Trim, not lifted, P265/70R/17, is the minimum I'd need to feel comfortable. Rolled 4Lo the whole way up/down and our times were similar to the previous post. I'll share a picture of where we went straight and ended up alongside the creek. That road wasn't bad but it was narrow in spots. Probably better to hang a hard right uphill switchback to climb earlier to the old rail bed. +++ I'll post a couple pics of the crux of the Jeep Road up to the pass. Well past my skill level in my 4Runner. Some vids of the jeep road: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=argentine+pass+colorado g | 5 |
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6/22/2021 Posted On: 6/22/2021 By: transplant_hiker Info: Drove a stock 4 door F150 up to the mine today. The road is free of any snow and the places where runoff crosses the road is minimal. As others have mentioned, the first mile is the worst part of the road. With that being said, the rest of the road isn't all smooth sailing either. It probably took me 45 min to an hour to drive up the 6 miles to the mine. While it is easier than trailheads like Matterhorn creek, I would say it is way more difficult than South Colony Lakes. Just pick your line wisely and you will be fine! | ||||
5/12/2021 Posted On: 5/12/2021 By: climb2ski Info: Anyone been up this road this spring? | 1 |
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9/12/2020 Posted On: 9/12/2020 By: Corey17 Info: Made it to the mine in a stock Subaru Forester. Long bumpy ride, but doable. Picking a good line is the key! As previous reports say, the worst of it is the first mile or two, if you can get up the switchbacks you will be fine! No snow on the road from the Labor Day storm |
