Feeler for Beginner-Friendly Run either June 5 or June 11

[RivetDRivet]

Edited based on feedback so far

Would anyone be interested in doing a run on some of the less difficult trails that are kind of nearer to town on either June 5 or 11th? Look's like Pickle Gulch is a good bet. Something not too far from the Denver Metro and a little more forgiving to new off-roaders.

Now that we've got the location nailed down, just need to know which date works better for everyone.

Final edit:

Now made calendar official. Here's the planned run thread: https://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums...464#post348464

[open_circuit]

I doubt bill Moore lake is passable this early in the year.

[TyTheJeepGuy]

Bill Moore lake usually has a hunk of snow just before the lake that is impassable until deeper into the summer. Yankee Hill could be a good option, same with Devil's Canyon or Barbour Fork near Idaho Springs. A bit further but Slaughterhouse Gulch despite the name is beginner-friendly in my opinion.

[Jim]

I'm thinking Devil's Canyon. When does it open?

[RivetDRivet]

See, this is the kind of stuff I don't know, which is why I need your help.

[Jim]

FS has road status pages for the different forests / different districts. I keep this URL handy for Arapaho & Roosevelt:

Devil's Canyon is in Clear Creek

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/h...d=fsm91_058362

[TyTheJeepGuy]

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/...a/?recid=28480

Looks like June 16. Also, looks like the USFS finally updated the look of their info sites. Nice!

[RivetDRivet]

Looking at it, Devil's Canyon looks like a good one. I vote for that if nobody's opposed.

[TyTheJeepGuy]

That was one of my first offroad trails. Its pretty short but some good camping spots too. I'll join schedule permitting

[RivetDRivet]

Damn, looks like it's closed. Was really hoping for something Earlier in June. Any other spots that might be good?

[Tom]

What with all the new snow my guess as to what might be passable would be yankee hill, pickle gulch, Switzerland trail but not much else. All are newbie friendly.

I could likely do one of those dates.

[RivetDRivet]

Pickle Gulch Looks Pretty Fun. Let's give it a whack if people are cool with that.

[Jim]

PG - I'll ask the q for others - the initial climb, would folks call the more difficult portions of it beginner friendly?

I'd be up for it - though the question is on my mind.


Trails Offroad says Moderate to Difficult

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails...ulch-blackhawk

[TyTheJeepGuy]

I watched the video, imo with experienced offroaders there to spot and letting beginner drivers take their time I think it is a good trail with probably a nice payoff of the feeling of getting over an obstacle instead of just driving on rocky trail.

[RockyMtRebel]

We tried Pickle a few weeks ago, I would say it’s beginner friendly in a Jeep or other capable vehicle. Seemed much easier than I remember a few years ago. It was impassable further up when the trail gets narrow and shady….. probably passable now but not sure 🤷🏽*♂️
I got 6” of snow last night and 10” a few days ago but it is melting fast and a heat wave is on its way in 😎

[Java]

Pickle is a good choice because the hill near the start is about the toughest spot of the trail so you'll know pretty quickly if it's too much. If you haven't done the steering rack reinforcement kit on your H3 yet you probably want to before Pickle.

[Tom]

Jim previously posted:

[open_circuit]

China Wall, Little Moab, and fourmile are all alternatives a bit further away. Nothing wrong with Pickle Gulch / Apex area.

[open_circuit]

RivetDRivet previously posted:

[RivetDRivet]

Tom previously posted: