Old Flowers Road ok for newbies/unknowns?

Hi All,

I have a question about Old Flowers road up NW of Fort Collins by Red Feather. I've never done this road before and we're looking to go out on Saturday with some other newbie-ish friends. The Funtreks 4x4 books lists is as Moderate due to muddy conditions on an easy trail. I think some other people that I don't know and haven't wheeled with have said they will come out as well. Friends/acquaintances of the friends.

My concerns are getting onto a trail I haven't done with people I haven't run with and not knowing their rigs or level of experience. Its pretty wet out there right now with snow at elevation. One guy will have his wife and two little kids so this is supposed to be more of a family outing. Last time I did this a guy showed up in an Isuzu Rodeo without a working spare and then said he had a screw in the back tire, but it was ok since it wasn't leaking air. That trail was Sevenmile Creek and pretty easy. We didn't have any issues so I don't want to stress this one if its an easier drive.

The only rigs I have knowledge of is my 2013 Baja with winch and equipment and his Nissan Frontier Pro-4X which is also in good shape. We'll probably be the guys that have to get others unstuck.

Is this doable or are we asking for trouble?

 

If you ran 7-mile and thought it was easy, then Old Flowers will be about the same.
Except for the addition of snow, can't really say what you can expect there.

 

It's easier than Sevenmile. Or was, I guess you never know with mountain trails. I'm not sure how up to date the book is, because the trail was reworked in some places after the fire. There were a couple of mudholes, but they were gone the last two times I was up there. However there is a new spot on an uphill climb near the start that used to be one of the 'hardest' spots that is now relatively easy... except there's a potential mudhole on it that wasn't there before and you generally can't see until you're in/past it. Bottom line, doable for sure, depending on current weather/trail conditions.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. If I'm the only one with a winch should I run in the lead or bring up the rear?

 

Yeah flowers is easy. If your crew lacks experience, I'd call it challenging but I wouldnt call it a challenge if that makes sense.

 

Old Flowers is an easy route. I was back there a few weeks ago and right before you head to the summit there was a homeless squatter back in there with an early 90's Honda Accord packed to the gills with junk. I haven't been up there when it's wet, but dry it's not hard at all.

 

^^^^that jogged my memory, I saw a Buick Station wagon tooling thru there one day several years ago.

Looked like this.

 

Thanks guys, we had a blast. It wasn't wet at all and was fun.