Yankee Hill Summit Climb

500

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/19/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

All I can say is the pictures don't do it justice to how steep it is. I tried to take the left line and realized there was a large exposed rock with a lot of erosion that I didnt think I could make it over. I stopped and loss momentum then I tried to turn around and about flipped the truck (as it was sliding sideways balancing on two wheels). I managed to get my traction boards out and with careful spotting I was able to turn around. If I did this again I think I'd take the middle line and if I got stuck I'd go down straight backwards.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - chad

Tarah Christy

400

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/16/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

The hill climb on this trail was very fun and the views at the top were awesome. The trail was dry with no snow, but very rocky. We did the left side of the hill climb no problem with a stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon in 4L.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Tarah Christy

Tom

2100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/15/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Traveling counter-clockwise this rocky trail is fun with great views. The incline from way-point 1 to 2 is the most compelling part of this spur. I did the left side without lockers but in 4-wheel low. Like the majority of Yankee Hill – this is very rocky.

Tynan Olonan

3500

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/10/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Had snow at the peak in the early afternoon after a small snowstorm and a bunch of small, soft, pea-sized hail. I have a modified 5th Gen 4Runner and we had a Rubicon on 35s - no issues. A stock 4Runner and Gladiator joined us with no issues. Everyone took the right-line on the hill climb with no issues.

Josh Spring

Official Crew

15450

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/05/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Took the middle line up the hill and had no problems. Nice view from the top followed by a longer drive around the loop back to the bottom.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Josh Spring

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Steve King

900

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 05/29/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We went up York Gulch to Yankee Hill Trail to the Yankee Hill Summit Climb. The conditions were good. There was no snow on the hill climb to the summit. Along the way, there was evidence of melting runoff but not much mud. It was Memorial Day Weekend and, yes, there was a lot of traffic. Very heavy on UTV traffic but still an enjoyable experience.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Steve King

Aaron Phillips

1900

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 02/19/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Ram this with a Rivian, a Gladiator and a Bronco. Definitely passable. A sizable drift on the downhill side cause a winch to be used but you can get around it.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Aaron Phillips

Bill Andrews

Official Crew

45050

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 11/12/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran this trail as part of a meandering route through the Yankee Hill network on Saturday, November 12. The climb was clear and dry. The hill can be somewhat challenging for stock vehicles but by choosing our lines carefully, we were able to make it to the top without a problem. There was a little snow on the return loop but not enough to be significant. The views from the top were spectacular, as always.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Bill Andrews

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Benjamin Allison

2700

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 10/25/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Not too hard, 4lo is a must and take it slow. Pick a good line and watch out for loose rocks. The climb is pretty easy but the descent gets extremely narrow in some places and impassable for larger vehicles due to tight trees. A few minor obstacles that may cause trouble for stock or small lifted vehicles. Just be cautious and take a good angle and you’ll be fine, skid plates and rock sliders will help.

jill

800

Open

Visited: 07/19/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Pretty tight in some places as others have said, but the views were beautiful.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - jill

Brad D.

18450

Open

Visited: 07/16/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Trail is open and in good shape although a little tight width wise. The spur is kind of pointless so will be skipping that on the future.

John Kiernan

900

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/11/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

A fun offshoot to take when in the area. Not very long or difficult. Great views of the surrounding area.

Rigo Tovar

600

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/04/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

It wasn’t too bad with our stock rubicon gladiator

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Rigo Tovar

Michael Simmons

500

Open

Visited: 05/29/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fun! We had a sunny ride up. setup camp and started dinner, then heavy rain into the pummeling of hail. the trail was easy going in. On the way out was more chalenging with the 2 inches of snow and ice on the rocks.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Michael Simmons

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Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

122300

Open

Visited: 05/16/2022

Open and snow free

Mike Thompson

1200

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 05/14/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Definitely not impassible. Almost no snow or ice, except for in the shade and not even covering the whole trail in those spots. Seems like it's been a very dry year which is a bit scary. Very difficult hill climb for me, wife made easy work of it in the stock JLUR, crawled right up. I ran up the hill, with my legs.... I was still coughing a day after. Dog seemed fine running up it though. She did cut one of her nails on a rock but she survived. I wouldn't call this moderate considering the more difficult ride TO the hill. I don't know if my old lifted Subaru would have been able to do it, ground clearance not an issue but it is a little steep and without a low transfer case, it might have struggled. All in all, it was a fun run and a beautiful day!

Todd

Official Crew

117100

Impassable

Visited: 10/30/2021

Snow is starting to accumulate. See you in 2022! Will update with snow melt reports as they happen in the spring!

Zack Mace

800

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/25/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Did this the same day as central city track! Fun little loop!

Zack Mace

800

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/25/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Did this the same day as central city to Saint Mary's. Fun little loop!

Brad D.

18450

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/19/2021

Ran this one in the dark. We explored a little too much around the central city side of the Yankee Hill to Central City Trail. We were able to see some city lights from the top which was pretty cool. I don't know if I would rate this one as a 4 unless maybe we found just the right line?. It is super tight in place but that was the only big challenge that I found. Fun trail with some great vistas.

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

122300

Open

Visited: 11/10/2020

Stage 3 fire restrictions have been lifted as of 6am, 11/10/20. The forest is no longer fully closed. Areas within fire perimeters remain closed. See closure maps here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD844558 Expect winter conditions on trails. Some trails may be impassable due to snow, including this trail.

Todd

Official Crew

117100

Temporary Closure

Visited: 10/20/2020

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Aaron Phillips

1900

Open

Visited: 09/12/2020

Great hill as always and beautiful views. We took the left trail up as opposed to the cut. Easy to get lost so download the gpx.

Nathan Baumann

300

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 08/04/2020

Ran this in a stock 2015 4 door Jeep Wrangler. It is a rocky trail so air down. Overall a fun trail with a nice view.

Ryan Mitchell

400

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/19/2020

One of the best close to Denver places to bring out-of-towners for a quick off-road experience. This was the first time I got close to stuck in the rocks on the way up, perhaps my rig is telling me to get new shoes but stay to the right if you want to make the climb up easier.

Jacob Adkisson

2500

Open

Visited: 07/18/2020

Great trail, especially for teaching beginners off-roading techniques.

Josh Spring

Official Crew

15450

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/06/2020

The hill was fun to climb and the views were great. Quiet day out there today.

Joe sullivan

100

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 09/08/2019

Beautiful Trail, ran in a group of 2 4Runners on 33's , Fj on 33's and a stock 4th Gen 4Runner, 33's was almost overkill for the majority of the trail WARNING : DO NOT TAKE A WRONG TURN, PLAN OUT THE MILE MARKERS, One wrong turn ended us crawling down a rock wall near the creek, stock 4Runner scraped the entire way down and at the end theres a decent 3-4' vertical step down, stock 4Runner tore skid plate off and almost took lower control arms off, other vehicles made it just fine with spot, ended in a 7HR wait for 4x4 recovery at 3AM to come rescue overheated 4runner and broken 4runner. Great trail but pay attention to Trail markers and your vehicles capabilities, pack warm gear and rescue equipment VERY LITTLE SERVICE IN TRAIL.

winkle99

700

Open

Visited: 11/04/2018

Had a fun and challenging time climbing through the snow to Yankee Hill. Snow packed on the way up and slippery in spots. At the plateau near the top of Yankee Hill, it was snowy and windy with drifts approaching 2 feet in areas. Attempted climb in 4WD vehicle with rear locker on 32.2 inch tires. Needed a pull from buddy's rig (front and rear locked with 37" tires) in two places. Did not attempt to climb that last steep incline to the top of Yankee Hill. It was full of snow and there is loose gravel underneath. On the way down, the wind had blown the snow off much of the trail. It was easy on the way down.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - winkle99

Paul

6350

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 10/20/2018

Trail is all clear. Keep in mind that there is a large dip (8-10ft deep) at the top of the hill. Easily passable in a stock rig, but take it easy. It's impossible to see over the crest for oncoming vehicles at that point, so make sure there isn't anyone coming over the crest at the same time as you are. There was a bit of snow on the trail at the top but it was all getting sun so I would imagine it'll be melted within the next few days if sunlight in that area continues)

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Paul

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Ryland Percy

3300

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 09/28/2018

Had a blast on the Hill today. The fall colors were in full effect, and it was nice to get out of the overcast/cloudy weather in Denver. Super friendly fellow trail riders, and some fun rock obstacles made for a perfect day. Stock vehicles welcome, but watch your tire placement over some of the rocky parts - the ruts have gotten a bit deeper after massive use over the summer.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Ryland Percy

Todd

Official Crew

117100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/07/2017

Snow free for the entire loop.

Todd

Official Crew

117100

Not Reported

Visited: 05/28/2017

Before waypoint 2 the snowdrifts are still in the gullied out area you drive up, access available via the west side.

Justin Daniels

3650

Open

Visited: 06/19/2016

Did a nice run up here today with the Colorado FJ Cruisers, and the trail is in great shape. Fun run.A lot of dust. A little snow at the very top in the shade spots. Ready for the season.

Trail Review: Yankee Hill Summit Climb - Justin Daniels

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1. Trailhead and Hill Climb (0 mi)

2. Top of Hill (0.25 mi)

3. Short Spur and 175.4a (0.64 mi)

4. End of Spur (0.75 mi)

5. View (1.07 mi)

6. End or Start 175.4a (1.31 mi)

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Ryan Boudreau

Yankee Hill Summit Climb

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1. Trailhead and Hill Climb (0 mi)

2. Top of Hill (0.25 mi)

3. Short Spur and 175.4a (0.64 mi)

4. End of Spur (0.75 mi)

5. View (1.07 mi)

6. End or Start 175.4a (1.31 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Ryan Boudreau

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