Bald Mountain Lane - Arapaho National Forest

Easy but fun connector trail in the Yankee Hill network. Definitely rocky here and there, necessitating more than minimal ground clearance. I took it both directions and westbound definitely is better for the views, with a glimpses of distant peaks. Being Mid-Spring, there's a bunch of puddles to splash through plus one large one just east of waypoint 4. If it looks like my photo, expect it to be about a 12 inches at the deepest, with a sandy and rocky bottom, so little to no chance of getting stuck.

Early-April update: The trail is passable and mostly plowed, but a few sections require 10+ inches of clearance not to scrape on the compacted and icy snow. The highlight at this time of the year is splashing through the snowmelt puddles.

The trail currently has pretty deep snow. There are some tracks, but they are heavily snowed over in many spots. We had too carry a good amount of momentum through most of the trail to not get stuck (stock Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, brand-new Falken Wildpeaks at 28 psi). If you're prepared for the conditions, you're gonna have a fun snow-wheeling experience; otherwise, I'd stick to the better maintained tracks in the area during Winter.

Easy connector in Yankee Hill network. Some snow but nothing crazy.

Trail is open and I good shape. Pretty dry for the most part. This trail is great to get you ready for the ones ahead. Be prepared to share the road with.

Trail is open up to the top (no snow) but there is a *lot* of a water and water holes on the way up.

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More forest closures are being lifted across the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as all Stage 3 restrictions are rescinded beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.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

After deciding not to challenge the deep snow on Rainbow Road, we headed uo York Gulch to Bald Mountain Lane. This put us running the trail backwards from the description. The road was plowed but snow-packed and slippery from the end to the private driveway ar Waypoint 6. The entrance to Rarus Traingle at Waypoint 7 was blocked by a 4-foot wall of snow from the plowing. From Waypoint 7 heading east the trail had not been plowed but had tracks a few days old where someone has driven it. We chained up and tried to proceed but only got a few hundred feet. Whoever had made the tracks had obviously been driving a much bigger rig than our stock trucks. We were dragging the under belly and pushing snow with the front bumper. After having to be strapped out multiple times while making prgress in inches, we gave up and headed toward Yankee Hill. Bigger rigs equipped for serious snow bashing should be able to make it much further.

Good little scenic route. Easy for the most part, although some forks were uncleared of snow, so proper tires/drivetrain for pushing through 6-12" is recommended right now.

nice forest dirt trail. rocks here and there, mainly dirt trail with large potholes/rollers. stock ‘16 crosstrek made it no worries.

It was very slow at work today so they sent me home a couple hours early. I took advantage of the extra time to run up to Central City and check the status of Bald Mountain Lane for myself. I am pleased to say it was open and clear. Most of the trail was dry, although it was somewhat wet and muddy with lots of puddles in the trees on the north side of the mountain where the snow lingers longer. There were some new signs at Bald Mountain Cemetery prohibiting OHV parking. Other than that, all seemed to be about the same.

Matt, Are you sure it was Bald Mountain Lane you found closed? It is still listed as open and legal on the current MVUM and on the Forest Service Interactive Visitors Map. Do you have any pictures? Is it possible you got confused with Bald Mountain Drive which is in the same area and definitely is restricted to private access? I will try to check into this ASAP.

Bald Mountain Lane is no longer open to off road enthusiasts. It is now a private residential road with restricted access.