Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir)

100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 08/30/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Beautiful trip. Temperature was perfect and there was only one person camping on the trail. No other rigs to be seen. Beautiful views and a great trail.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Dan Glavach

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Mike

300

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 08/23/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

I’m a Jeep this trail is relatively easy -2WD except for the uphill waypoint 8 with rocks. I was surprised to see some crossover AWD type vehicles at the parking at the end (Subarus and even a CRV). AWD and some reasonable ground clearance of 8+” is likely all that is needed, though I wouldn’t come out here in street tires either way.

Kurtis Golding

400

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/06/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Overall, this is a fun trail and a good one to get started learning 4x4 off-roading, which, was in fact why I chose this one. Our trip was successful, and there were not a lot of people up on the mountain on this Sunday, most of the camp sites were even vacant. I expect the overcast weather, and threat of rain might have been keeping people away, but it made for a great experience. The wildflowers are also out! The reviews were great, and the detailed outline on the Trails OffRoad site was very helpful! The only disappointment was the view of Gross Reservoir, which is under construction, actually being expanded. The project will be completed sometime in 2025, however, right now there is a lot of construction equipment. Dual Sport Motorcycle Fans: This would be a really fun and easy trail to do.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Kurtis Golding

Jake

300

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 08/05/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

First trail we did in CO. Easy trail with a nice view , saw someone in a Ford escape up there . Camp site was 100% full.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Jake

Will Matos

100

Temporary Closure

Rated 5/5

Visited: 07/19/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Road closed for maintenance as of 7/19/23! Impassable from the trailhead. Can’t wait to come back when it’s open!

David

300

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/28/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Did it pretty easily in a stock 4runner off road premium. Just pick your lanes smart, the hill climb wasn’t much of a challenge. Camping spots are nice but you can hear the heavy equipment working on the mine across from the reservoir all night. They have really bright lights as well.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - David

Tom

2300

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/25/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

The trail description is accurate with one caveat. After waypoint 2, there is a short and steep portion of the trail. The forest service is in the process of fencing up an unauthorized bypass.

Whitney

100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/03/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

A lot of fun when it’s Muddy. Where it has you enter is very confusing because it’s also private property all around it. You can still go through it when the gate is open or at least we did. I drive a 2018 Rubicon 2 Door stock on 35’s and my Dad was in his 2022 Gladiator with a 3 1/2in lift on 37’s. Again a blast and it was my first trail so it wasn’t that difficult just super wet and muddy.

Andrew Pleger

800

Open

Visited: 05/29/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Went for Memorial Weekend. Incredibly busy but a great fun trail with plenty of camping (provided you get there early). Easy 2/3.

Trevor Steen

1100

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 05/28/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Overall a pretty easy trail. The difficult rocky/steep section mentioned in the description was not bad at all. There is a short rutted out section between waypoints 3 and 4 that will be the gatekeeper obstacle for low clearance and non-4wd vehicles. A Tesla did make it all the way to the end, so it's possible with proper wheel placement. Busy but we found all campers around us were respectful. Stayed at campsite 3. Its not super level, so not great for tents but if you are in something you can level, it was great (except for the tons of broken glass).

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Trevor Steen

Anton

100

Open

Visited: 05/19/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Trail was open on 05/19/2023 with a bunch of people camping there already.

alex

1800

Open

Visited: 10/15/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

pretty easy, came in from Boulder county road went to the lake then back out on this trail. Saw a Subaru on it so I would say not to rough however he would have had trouble in one spot if they didn't placed their wheels perfectly.

Dan

300

Open

Visited: 07/17/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I got there a bit after 8A and there were already very few parking spots at the trail head. Just a note for hikers. The trail itself was fun for a newbie like myself and the OBW acquitted itself admirably. Nice combination of road surfaces and elevation changes. I was head-to-head only one time, and the pickup backed up as far as he could so I could climb onto the side of the hill for him to pass. Beautiful views from several places, lots of camping spots, some shelf road and some forest. All-in-all, a great place to learn the capability of the vehicle.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Dan

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Doug Chamberlain

300

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/05/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

I think I used 4wd twice, and I'm sure I could have made it without. Tight in places, so watch for traffic. Picked out a few future camping spots!

Ross Howey

200

Seasonal Closure

Rated 4/5

Visited: 05/18/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Trail is still closed.

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

122850

Open

Visited: 05/15/2022

The Forest Service information gal told me the road opens on May 15th per the MVUM, but couldn't exactly confirm a ranger has gone out and opened the gate. She said snow pack was low along their roads so there shouldn't be any reason why they would have delayed this opening. Without a firsthand report, I will go ahead with what the FS says and list this as open for the season.

Phil

200

Seasonal Closure

Rated 5/5

Visited: 12/05/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Gate closed at the trailhead so we ran a bit of 68J (see trail post on that route). Great beginner/camping trail when it’s open. Wanted to bring my buddy and his Sequoia on this with his new Method/KO2’s set up. See ya in the spring.

Jason Peterson

100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 11/20/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

My wife and I, along with our new puppy were feeling a little stir crazy @ home in Denver. We decided to check this trail out & scope out future camping sites. Glad we did because this was an awesome drive. The reservoir was quiet and the snow was just starting to come down, a pretty surreal combination. Trail was simple and not very technical. 4runner with a two inch lift & 33s.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Jason Peterson

Hoon Jung

300

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 10/17/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Went for a day trip, weather was still so nice! Nice short scenic drive, no obstacles just one steep hill. Tacoma on 33’s did just fine. Beautiful trail, shame there was a small fire out by the reservoir😭

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Hoon Jung

Joshua M Wells

1200

Open

Visited: 09/11/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Simple trail that gives great views. A lot of camping sites to be had depending on your preference.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Joshua M Wells

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Lance Schaffer

1100

Open

Visited: 05/31/2021

Great scenery, Gross reservoir is really cool. Trail is fun, pretty casual overall. No issues at all in 2006 Xterra, lifted ~2.5 inches, on 33s. Was a moist day, but trail was in good shape. Even saw a moose!

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Lance Schaffer

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Kevin Wheeler

400

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 11/22/2020

Fun trail. It is not very long. A few challenging spots. No snow and not very busy when we went.

Justin

1600

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 11/21/2020

Good easy trail that leads you to some good camping spots. I feel this trail should be rated closer to a 2 than a 3.

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

122850

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.

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

122850

Temporary Closure

Visited: 10/20/2020

Due to dangerous fire conditions, Arapahoe National Forest has closed the forest to all visitors. This decision will be re-evaluated daily as conditions change. See the order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

paul schulz

1200

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 08/24/2020

Not really sure why this is rated a 3, it is quite benign, Great camping spots and only saw a few other vehicles.{it was a Monday during a pandemic, so there is that.} The real fun began after I left and made a right turn on forest rd 68. This rutted and tight trail brings you to the top of Flagstaff Mt. Nice close and fun trail. Liked the sign at the end.

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - paul schulz

Shane Mattox

300

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 07/11/2020

Its was very busy and open. It was a nice place to visit for the day with the family. Very dusty!!! The best part of this path was the trail getting there. I am not sure why its not mapped out on here???? I had to put into 4 wheel a couple of times. Could have been just because its so sandy but was very happy I got to do actual 4 wheeling. There was also camping spots on this trail as well. I only gave the mapped path a 3 star because of the amount of people and literally a guy on a moped was going up and down it. The path getting there I would give a 5 star. I got some Colorado pin stripping, but I do have a wider wheel base.

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

122850

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 06/08/2020

A lot of great camping along this road, but it was extremely busy. I'm not sure if it's typically like this on a weekend, or if it is just the result of everything else going on this year. Seems like every trail I have been on is way more crowded than usual. Some really good views in my opinion, and the hike at the end is totally worth it. BRING YOUR FISHING ROD!

Trail Review: Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir) - Ryan Boudreau

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Winiger Ridge (Gross Reservoir)

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