Colorado Trail Status, Closures, repairs, discussion.

We got 2-3" last night again and its only going to be in the 30's for a high today, so the melt is on hold, the rivers are pretty low.

 

Does anyone have any info on Medano Pass near the sand dunes? All I know right now it's only open for the first 4 water crossings from the west/visitor center side. I'm considering taking the family out that way this weekend, but since the campground is full and the pass isn't all the way open I might reconsider. Anyone been out there recently?

 

I do believe there was camping just before the park entrance. Was off to the east side as you coming down there road.

 

Yeah probably Piñon Flats CG. It's full. We usually opt for dispersed camping, and they have some sites along Medano Pass road. It's just not fully open yet so i don't know how many of those sites are accessible.

 

I'm waiting on Medano Pass as well. I talked with the visitor center just this morning and they said it is open to the 4th water crossing - which is right about the halfway point. She said if she had to guess it looks like the first or second week of June is when it should be open all the way to the top.

From what I understand, there are approximately 10 camping spots before the 4th water crossing.

That being said, I have a trip planned to camp Medano Pass from June 9th-11th - so hopefully it'll all be open by then.

 

So, I haven't been on the road when there was water flowing. Talk to me about these water crossings and my stock 3rd gen... Hopefully they're enough to scare off the instafluencer vanlifers, but not enough to swallow the Taco. Or require the installation of a god-awful snorkel. What do y'all think?

 

It can get pretty deep, especially towards the beginning of the summer in peak runoff. I went mid July last year, deepest one came up to the bottom of my doors. Went later in September, the same crossings were about 6-8 inches deep.

From what I understand around this time of year they can come up to the headlights.

 

Like @In4aride said, need to get the rear diff breather extended or that water crossing could be costly. I think they sell kits now over going and getting tubing and new breather for dealership on your own.

 

still deep up top cottonwood pass... new scheduled opening August 12th

http://www.chaffeecountytimes.com/f...7kOLxmhu4cZ8-l211CK0udmzPmIU2499H3QT8Fr70BLYw



sounds like guenalla pass opened lately tho...

 

I know someone with basically a stock Xterra that ran Guanella pass last weekend.

 

i'd hope so... it's paved the whole way... nice having that connector open tho

 

https://hinsdalecounty.maps.arcgis..../index.html#/2f539793d24d47e8abbf3f27a57a93e0

 

Anyone go up to Chinns yet? Reading that Fall River Res sounds passable but wondering about the spur up to Chinns.

 

@Estes’ tacoma was up there this past weekend. Said there was still too much snow past the spur but he may be able to give a more detailed report.

 

Thank you, that's good info! No winch on my rig and don't want the new girl having to dig out (too much) on our first trip.

 

Hey! Yeah, when I went up there the snow pack was still pretty deep/impassable going up to chinns. In fact, I couldn’t quite make it all the way to Alice reservoir either because of snow, had to stop about a 1/4 mile shy of the dam

 

Thank you for the report!!

We've decided to head south this weekend, weather is looking a bit nasty...

 

Pearl pass will not open in 2019 per Aspen Times.

“1 mile up the road from the pine creek cookhouse at the back of the castle creek valley a pair of avalanche slides/ debris have blocked the trail.”

 

not great news, but great update tho.. thanks for sharing

 

Has anyone been to Wheeler Lake yet this year? I know normal years it usually takes to July to get to the top. I'd like to camp up there this weekend if I can get halfway up.