Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Impassable
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Offroaded on:
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11/11/2020
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Rating:
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Snow is FINALLY falling in Summit County. There is still some time to get snow wheeling in before the gates close. There is somewhere around 4 to 8 inches on the trail down in the trees. I assume there will be much more higher up. There is a tree down just past WP 3, but it's not enough to force you off trail. Tire tracks in the snow stopped about halfway between WP 3 and 4. I made it to WP 4 with no problem but turned around there as I was riding solo and didn't want to get into trouble.
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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10/25/2020
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Rating:
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Well it was open when we went through, doubt it is now!
This trail in the snow took every bit of ability this stock FJ has. I tried to make it up here during the summer but the snow drift on the shelf section near the top stopped me.
This trail has some amazing views, good obstacles, and connects to other trails as well!
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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10/03/2020
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Rating:
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Really beautiful, with minimal traffic even on this weekend day. Great fun for a novice driver like me; took the easy option when there was a choice.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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09/19/2020
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Rating:
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Great day on the trails! I was surprised to find new "no camping" signs at the camp sites at waypoint 3.
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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09/18/2020
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Rating:
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Took this trail down from Saints john to WP4. Very scenic valley view, small waterfall, and cool now collapsed cabin. Coming down the tough sections on tombstone hill wasn't bad with 33s
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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08/02/2020
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Rating:
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Drove this on 8/2 in a stock 2019 Tacoma SR no problem. Started on Georgia pass. Go slow "A good stock truck, with good driving technique, taking the right line, can summit." Without taking hits to the body/underbody.
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/21/2020
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Rating:
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Ran this trail today in my stock 2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 with sliders and skids. We turned around between waypoints 4 and 5 right before that steep rocky incline. The trail has a small creek running through it and has eroded a bit more than the video from 2016 showed leaving many large rocks sticking out. You might be able to make it in a stock truck if you didn't care about body/underbody damage. We decided to play it safe and turn back. The trail before that was no issue and was a lot of fun!
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/19/2020
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Rating:
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Ran this trail yesterday - it was the perfect mix of technical obstacles and excellent views at the top. Didn't hit any snow on the Tombstone Hill bypasses - easy wheeling all the way to the top! Managed to come across a cool herd of mountain goats at the top near the Saints John trailhead, which was super cool.
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/18/2020
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Excellent trail!!! Pay attention to the maps on this page so you understand which route you take up the hill.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/18/2020
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Rating:
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I dropped in from Deer Creek today. Just above waypoint 15, I ran into this great group of folks from Dillon. (Great to meet ya'll!)
I went down to check the snow at Tombstone Hill. It is all clear of snow. However, I did have to shovel a bit of snow just to get past a drift above Waypoint 14. There was a second drift that was so hard-frozen that my Tacoma drove over the top of it without breaking through. Stay the trail, folks!!
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/12/2020
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Rating:
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Ran this trail all the way to summit today. Only the first bypass of tombstone hill was open, the remaining bypasses were blocked due to snow drifts and will most likely be at least another week or two before they can be traversed. At waypoint 12 the only way was straight up the hardest route which made for an interesting time in my Tacoma. Running 33's and a 3 inch lift, it was drizzling and I was able to make it up but just barely. Had a very careful line and spotter. Fun trail!
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/04/2020
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Visited this trail today. We have a stock Wrangler Sport S and decided to turn back at way-point 8 the rough spot. Probably could have passed through this area, but with the thunderstorm with heavy rain and not seeing any other stock vehicle we played it safe. Really enjoyed the trail otherwise and we will be back!
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Partially Open
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Offroaded on:
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06/14/2020
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Rating:
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Middle Fork is open up to the middle of Tombstone Hill. Above the Tombstone both sides are blocked with snow and will be for a while yet.
Author:
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Status:
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Partially Open
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Offroaded on:
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10/12/2019
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Rating:
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This trail was definitely a blast! Though, I encountered a 2+ foot deep snow drift at the top of Tombstone Hill that I couldn't seem to bust through (seemed super deep for this time of year). I'm on 33's with a 2.5" lift, so vehicles with bigger tires and a lift could probably make it through. Honestly, I probably could've used traction boards to get through, but since I had my kids with me, I didn't feel up to the challenge! The part of the trail in question comes up at about 6:15 in the video above. Most of the trail was covered in snow and made the rock obstacles pretty challenging, but still fun. I'd really encourage anyone going up after this point in the year to make sure they have necessary recovery gear and a partner truck before trying to make it to the summit. It gets slick and steep fast!
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/28/2019
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Rating:
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This trail was such a blast. My Xterra with just a 2" lift made it fine. I never even lowered my air pressure. Views are spectacular up above tree line. Wildflowers are blooming now. I took deer creek back down to Keystone. Highly recommend this trail.
Author:
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Status:
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Impassable
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Offroaded on:
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07/21/2019
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Rating:
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In addition to the avalanche debris there is also snow blocking some of the upper parts of the trail. I tried the easiest route from the top of Tombstone Hill but it’s blocked by snow. The moderate route was clear from what I saw but I didnt drive it.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Impassable
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Offroaded on:
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07/13/2019
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Avalanche debris blocks the trail at Waypoint 8. (See drone pic.) PLEASE do not bypass this blockage by going off trail!!
I flew my drone up to Tombstone Hill (Waypoints 10-14). The easy route of the climb is blocked by deep snow. The hard route looks clear but very wet. Both routes above Tombstone are blocked with snow. The high route is nearly clear and might be bustable. The low route is buried deep.
Based on this, it's very likely that the tundra will be blocked further up.
Tragically, the record breaking snow from last winter was too much for the Swandyke cabin. Check the last pic for the carnage. We lost an icon here.
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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06/27/2018
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snow drifts around waypoints 12, 13, 14. not passable by a stock vehicle. One large snowdrift that probably isn't passable by most trucks.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Partially Open
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Offroaded on:
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06/25/2018
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Rating:
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The gates are open. We made it up to Tombstone Hill. The easy side is still blocked with a massive snow drift. Expect at least a couple more weeks before stock trucks can go up.
The hard side is clear to the top of the hill, but, from what I could see, there still may be some drifts in the tundra above.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Seasonal Closure
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Offroaded on:
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06/09/2018
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Seasonal gate is still locked.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Seasonal Closure
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Offroaded on:
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05/27/2018
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As of Memorial Day 2018, the gate is still closed.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Partially Open
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Offroaded on:
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10/20/2017
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Planned to drive up and over to Montezuma, but didn't make it. There's a fair amount of snow just below the saddle (waypoint 15). There was one set of tracks in the snow, but I was flying solo and it was getting late, so I didn't risk it. It's still passable, but getting stuck in the snow is a possibility and there's nothing winch on up there.
Also, there's ice at the "rough spot" (waypoint 8) that required a dab of Toyota ATRAC.
Is it just me or is the that rock shelf on the hard side of Tombstone Hill getting bigger every day?!
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Partially Open
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Offroaded on:
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10/08/2017
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Summit County has had a couple of snow storms now. Most trails that go above treeline are blocked with snow. Middle fork has snow just below the saddle. It appears passable. Not sure after that.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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08/20/2017
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We took our SxS up North Fork and looped around Saints John, Deer Creek, and Middle Fork. I guess since school has started the crowds are winding down. We only saw a handful of SxS's and and two trucks the whole day.
We descended the hard part of Tombstone Hill. It was really too much for our near-stock RZR 800. Rode the skid plate over a couple of the ledges. A bit too much pucker factor!
Even with some recent rain, the trails are pretty dry and sometimes dusty. Afternoon storms rolled in and made us nervous about lightning, but we only got a few sprinkles of rain.
Over all, a great day!
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/23/2017
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Started from SOB hill and went to the top. Before we got to the saddle where you can first see Red Cone, I had to yell at 2 ATVs and 1 SXS for going off trail onto the tundra as I was making room for them to pass.
Author:
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Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/19/2017
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A little snow is still present at Tombstone Hill, I came down it, right tires in snow, left tires dry. Other than that, the roads in good shape. The Wild flowers are beautiful. Stock 2012 Xterra Pro4X
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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07/09/2017
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Middle Fork is now open and clear with the exception of the easy option between waypoints 12 and 13, Tombstone Hill. The hard side is dry. The easy side is blocked by a large snow drift near the top.
All of Summit County is under a strict fire ban: absolutely no open flames. It's warmer than usual and extremely dry!
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Seasonal Closure
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Offroaded on:
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06/25/2017
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Seasonal Gate is still closed at the bottom. You can access the top via North Fork, but there is a giant snowfield across waypoints 13 and 14 covering the entire mountainside.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Seasonal Closure
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Offroaded on:
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06/09/2017
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Due to heavy snow in May, the Dillon Ranger District has kept the seasonal gates closed several weeks past the normal opening date. A ranger told me that, even though the road up to the gate is clear and dry, the trail has heavy snow further up.
Author:
| Official Crew |
Status:
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Open
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Offroaded on:
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11/12/2016
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The late coming of winter in 2016 means that most of the high passes are still open in mid November.
The lower sections have a couple of places where the river flows into the trail. These are extremely icy. Still passable, but very slick.
The forest service will be closing gates on November 23rd, so there's only one weekend left.