2001 RMIHR TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS
Last Revision: 7/22/01 4:45 pm
*NOTE: Trail ratings are subjective and based
on the worst part of the trail under DRY conditions. Wet weather
can make a 5 rated trail into an 8 rated trail in short order.
The
Trail Rating Guide is provided for your reference.
You must weigh your experience and your truck's ability to the
conditions of the trail that day. Ultimately you are responsible
for the safety of your passengers and yourself.
CHINAMAN'S GULCH
Rating:*
7
Chinaman's Gulch winds its way through a Juniper forest and
up a sandy wash. There are many rocky sections and a few sections
to challenge the hardcore wheeler. The hardest part is a 5'
rock face with several ways up ranging from a slight challenge to
a vertical wall.
Vehicle
recommendations: 32" tires, 4"
lift, rear locker or front and rear Limited slips.
Historical: Low
Scenic: Moderate
CHINA WALL
Rating:*
4
The China Wall trail is a fairly easy drive with a couple
sections to test you and your vehicle. The trail, mostly pine and
fir trees with some rocky sections, ends at the Tarryal River.
There is a good view of Pikes Peak from the high point on the
trail.
Vehicle
recommendations: Stock
Historical: Low
Scenic: Moderate
HOLY CROSS CITY
SPECIAL NOTE: This is an overnight run leaving Monday morning and
returning Tuesday.
Rating:*
9
This trail is four miles in, and four miles back out. There are
four serious rock obstacles and one creek crossing to negotiate.
The trip ends at the site of the Holy Cross City ghost town, in
the shadow of the famous "Mount of the Holy Cross".
Bring camping gear and food. We'll drive over Hoosier Pass to
Breckenridge and take I-70 westbound to Vail. We'll stop in
Vail for fuel, and continue to camp at the base/trailhead of the
route to Holy Cross City. We'll likely be rolling into camp a
bit after dark, but it will enable us to get an EARLY start on a
long trail day. On Tuesday, we'll skip the first mile of the
Holy Cross Trail and start our journey at the cutoff. If time
permits, we'll catch the first mile on the way back down.
We'll move quickly and make Holy Cross City for lunch, come
down in the afternoon, and return to Fairplay Tuesday evening.
*Everyone* on this trip must return to Fairplay together. Click
either of these links for pictures of previous runs of this
trail;
Binder Bulletin Galley 5 or
Binder Bulletin Gallery 11.
Vehicle
recommendations: Rigs should be
high-clearance with at least one locker -- preferably two. Both
drivers and rigs should be experienced and well-tested. No
"maiden voyages" for project trucks on this one,
please.
Historical: High
Scenic: High
Mt. ANTERO
Rating:*
7
Mt Antero trail is Colorado's 10th highest peak and is
located in the San Isabel National Forest. This trail is
difficult, mainly because of the last half mile where the road is
narrow and the switchbacks require careful negotiation. The road
surface softens (wet in spots from snow melt)and becomes unstable
with several large rocks requiring skillful maneuvering. The
trail is 14.6 miles round-trip, and required 5.5 hours for a
group of 5 Scouts. Much of the trail is above timberline, where
the effects of sun, wind, and extremely unpredictable weather
require clothing and supplies to handle any type of conditions,
including occasional snowstorms in the dead of summer. Without a
limited slip, the trail can be run to just below the summit for
exceptional views and a great drive.
Vehicle
recommendations: 2" lift, 31"
tires, Limited Slip
Historical: Low
Scenic: High
Mt. BROSS
Rating:*
3
The Mt. Bross road travels through historic mining areas, Bristle
Cone forests and some of the prettiest scenery in the area. The
lower road winds through pine forests and up to a wide shelf
road. The upper road is a series of tight switch backs on a
narrow shelf road. There are some loose narrow sections but
exposure is probably the hardest obstacle. The high point is
14,172 feet, so a well tuned engine is a must. Summit views offer
360 degrees of other 14'ers, mountain lakes, valleys and
distant ranges. Neighboring 14'ers include Mt. Lincoln
(14,286 ft.) and Mt. Democrat (14,148 ft.).
Vehicle
recommendations: Stock
Historical: Moderate
Scenic: High
Mt PRINCETON
Rating:*
3
Mt Princeton, a nice leisurely drive to just above 12,000 ft., is
a generally 2 wheel drive road, bumpy and rocky with only the
switchbacks being challenging for a stock rig. Just above
timberline, there is a section of shelf road about a half mile in
length that gives a good view of the valley floor below. The last
20 vertical feet or so requires low range and 4 wheel drive. This
takes you as high as you can drive but there is a small parking
area just below the hill. At the top, you get great view of the
valley you just drove through where Buena Vista and Nathrop are.
180 degrees from that view is a excellent view up into the
mountains as you look up a deep steep walled valley that goes up
to St. Elmo and the Tincup trail, among others.
Vehicle
recommendations: Stock
Historical: Low
Scenic: High
POMEROY LAKE ROAD/HANCOCK
PASS
Rating:*
5
Hancock Pass and the Pomeroy Lakes Road are in one of the more
historic and scenic areas of Colorado. The Hancock Pass trail is
rocky and rutted with some moderate switchbacks on the eastern
side. The climb up from Chalk Creek is not extreme, though four
wheel drive is recommended. When you get to the top of Hancock
Pass, you are above timberline, just over 12,000 ft. The Pomeroy
Lakes Road is rated a five, but only because of two obstacles on
the trail. The majority of the road would be rated a four, being
only rocky and rutted. There are several items of historic
interest in and around Hancock Pass/Pomeroy Lakes. Several stops
will be planned for some sight seeing and photo oppotunities,
especially at the towns of Hancock and Romley, as well as at the
Mary Murphy Mine.
Vehicle
recommendations: Stock
Historical: Moderate
Scenic: High
RED CONE
Rating:*
9
Red Cone is a beautiful drive through the forest with the high
point over 12,000 ft. at the top with breathtaking 360-degree
views. The trail starts in the forest winding its way through
dense trees with a few rocky sections along the way to
timberline. Once above timberline, you continue to climb while
riding on a wide-open plateau with beautiful unrestricted views.
Once at the top of Red Cone, you will drive down the knife-like
ridge that gives the trail its 9 rating. This section is
virtually too steep and mogul-filled to drive up. The Forest
Service frowns on even trying to do so. Once you are at the
bottom, it is time to rest and watch the rest of the group take
their turn. There are a couple more steep sections before the
trail meets Webster pass.
Vehicle
recommendations: 4" lift, 31"
tires, and rear locker
Historical: Low
Scenic: High
TIN CUP
Rating:* 5
The road over Tin Cup Pass has been used at least since 1870 and
was originally used to move supplies and ore between the towns of
St. Elmo on the east side of the pass to the town of Tin Cup to
the west of the Tin Cup Pass. Even though Tin Cup Pass is
moderate 4X4 trail, four wheel drive is recommended. The road is
primarily rocky with plenty of potholes. There is one small
section of narrow roadway with a drop off. The pass tops out
around 12,100 ft., so please be sure your vehicle can handle the
change in altitude. The trip will go from the town of St. Elmo,
over the pass and down to Mirror Lake. From Mirror Lake we will
return back over Tin Cup Pass, and if time allows, stop in St.
Elmo before returning to Fairplay.
Vehicle
recommendations: Stock
Historical: Moderate
Scenic: High
TWIN CONE
Rating:*
8
Description to be provided
Vehicle
recommendations: Info. to be provided
Historical: Info. to
be provided
Scenic: Info. to be
provided
WHEELER LAKE
Rating:*
7
Wheeler Lake trail is a very beautiful drive through a lush
valley for most of its entirety. The first site you see will be
driving under a old mining chute with the shaft house on your
right and the mill on your left. The trail consists of a narrow
path through 4' high brush. It is a rocky drive with several
obstacles along the way; all have an easy way around until you
come to Bowling Ball Hill and "The Notch". Bowling Ball
hill is about an 1/8th of a mile long, fairly steep section that
is like…well, driving over hundreds of bowling balls. Tire
placement is a challenge here or you will hear the sound of metal
mashing rock..or is it the other way around? The Notch is a deep
"V" you come into at an angle with a stream in the
middle and an 18" step at the up-hill end, all while going
up hill. At the end of the trail is Wheeler Lake, a very scenic
alpine lake surrounded by high mountains, which will most likely
still have snow on them.
Vehicle
recommendations: 33" tires, 4"
lift, Rear Locker
Historical: Moderate
Scenic: High
|
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2001 All rights
reserved.
RMIHR
Committee, P.O. Box 471821, Aurora, CO
80047-1821 (303) 364-5535 |
