Mad Creek

full-limited Icon
4.3/5 (24 reviews)
Empire, Colorado (Clear Creek County)
Last Updated: 06/03/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

A short drive from the town of Empire, and just down the road from the popular Bill Moore Lake Trail, Mad Creek is a great off-road trail that gets passed up by many offroaders. Whether you are seeking quiet summer seclusion or deep tire-swallowing winter snow, don't let this trail fall off your radar. Along this road you will pass through the trees, the open meadows, and take in the picturesque views of the high mountains all around you, including 13,164ft Mt. Flora. You will also find a handful of great hiking trails at the conclusion of this trail.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (24)
Open
Visited: 10/23/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Fun trail, a lot of it is washed out so higher clearance stock SUV is needed. For the most part the trail was quiet and had some great camping spots.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 07/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Basically a dirt road. Some wash out that will be easier with some clearance and 4wd and a narrow loose shale stretch with a very steep drop off on one side, but both are very typical of any Colorado forest service road.
Trail Review: Mad Creek - Drew Shope
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 06/24/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

Not a hard drive but it's no longer a 1 rating. The section immediately preceding the first camp site is rutted to the point where a sedan couldn't make it through and with the pitch, it's harder than a standard subaru could likely do without some lower gearing. Stock jeeps, trucks etc won't have any issue whatsoever but this I harder than the other 1's around the area.
Open
Rated 2/5
Visited: 06/03/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

It is va passable now
Partially Open
Visited: 04/29/2023

I think I made it to almost waypoint 6 before encountering an untracked 8"+ deep snow drift that I didn't want to try solo with no lockers. There was even more smaller drifts as far as you could see after that. There was also an untouched drift right below waypoint 3 that I had to make two runs at. Thankfully I had a good turnaround at that spot and went back to 3 to enjoy a beer and scenery. Good day between getting shut down here and Bard Creek.

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial