Dakota Hill

I linked this trail after Pickle Gulch and heading towards Apex Valley Rd. It’s super easy, I definitely wouldn’t call it moderate but it’s got some great mountain views!

Totally clear. Great connector between apex and pickle gulch. Final waypoint is a great spot to stop for lunch.

Rocky and muddy trail, super fun for early summer wheelin’

100% dry. It's July after all.

Still a lot of snow

Easy trail. Explored a few random turns that got a lot more technical. Nothing needing lockers just rocky and very narrow in spots. No snow. Remember this place for early or late season

Based on reports from nearby trails, the trail is probably very difficult or impassible due to snow

Per the National Forest Service: FORT COLLINS, Colo (Nov. 9, 2020) – More forest closures are being lifted across the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as all Stage 3 restrictions are rescinded beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10. Closures will remain in place around areas that experienced wildfire in Grand, Boulder and Larimer counties. These fire areas present a public safety threat as burned trees can fall unexpectedly, hot spots are still burning, and new hazards can be hidden under snow.

Due to extreme fire danger the Ntional 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

great trail, didn't see a soul on a Monday

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran part of the Dakota Hill trail on Saturday, August 29 as part of a day exploring side roads in the Dakota Hill area. We ran it from the end at Waypoint 11 to the turn off for East Dakota Hill at Waypoint 4. The weather had been cold and rainy all day but began letting up as we headed up this trail. The trail itself was in good shape with no issues to report.

Very nice trail. Especially for those that just want some non-extreme 4 wheelin. The trail affords some great views of the mountains, On a clear day you can see from Mt Evans to Pikes Peak. However it is very easy to get a little lost (we did) and end up facing some more difficult rock crawling. All in all great fun.

I did not actually run the trail but, based on reports from nearby trails I believe it is fully open.

It's very close to completely melted. We stopped at the mine but lots of stock vehicles were running around and a couple got pretty far.

If you have a big tire, well equipped rig, the trail is still passable. If not, you won't make it very far. The snow is deep and soft but hasn't yet gotten too off camber to lean you off the trail. After coming in from another trail, we were able to run the entire trail start to finish. 42" tires on the buggy, 40s on the others. The views of the snow cover divide were awesome!

Dakota Hill is wide open at this point. No snow to speak of (except the falling snow the day after the Solstice! - craziness!) and absolutely nothing impeding access to the trail. Get some!

Coming from waypoint 11 going opposite direction, too much snow just about 100 feet where the road enters the trees.

Ran this trail right after the few first few snows hit the area - it was beautiful! Super nice to get above the otherwise dreary weather in Denver. It was definitely cold, but the trail was very fun and didn't present any challenges, though, there wasn't much snow to worry about!

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Dakota Hill as part of a mapping mission to Dakota Hill North and Dakota Hill Spur on Saturday, June 16, 2018. After gathering GPS data, pictures and video on those two trails we continued around Dakota Hill and attempted to exit to Gamble Gulch via Dakota Hill East. Finding that trail blocked by a large, fallen tree, we returned to the Dakota Hill trail and took it over to Gamble Gulch Connector where we made a successful exit. We did not run the last segment of the Dakota Hill trail to the end. The weather was decent but perhaps not ideal with partly to mostly cloudy skies and scattered showers and thunderstorms. It would rain for a little bit, then the sun would come back out for a while. The trail was clear and mostly dry (except while it was raining) and there were no obstructions. Surprisingly, we met very little traffic that day.

We were snow wheeling other trails around Central City and went up Apex Road above Apex. We were able to reach the trailhead for Utah Hill but could not make it all the way to the trailhead for Dakota Hill do to three to four-foot drifts. A built buggy on 37s or 40s could probably make it but anything smaller will have a hard time of it.