Rollins Pass East

Everyone is spot on. Endless Bumpy road with lots of traffic on the weekends. Go early to avoid the crowds. Hike up to tunnel and pass is nice with great views. Jenny Creek trail will add a little spice to the trip.

If its the hiking, biking, camping, fishing etc you’re looking for, this trail will get you to some beautiful areas to enjoy and isn’t too crowded. If it’s a fun day of wheeling you’re looking for this trail isn’t that. It’s an endless road of unavoidable deep potholes and rocks. There aren’t any obstacles other than holding down your breakfast as you get rattled and bounced around from start to finish. You’ll be in 4lo the whole time not because you need the traction, but to serve as a safeguard against getting impatient and trying to go faster.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Rolins Pass East on our way to Jenny Creek on Saturday, August 19. We ran it up to the Jenny Creek trailhead then down from Yankee Doodle Lake after we exited Jenny Creek. The scenery along this road is magnificent but the road itself drives me crazy. It’s easy enough you feel like you should be able to cruise right along but it is SO bumpy you have to gear down and crawl like it’s a moderate or difficult trail. It’s still fun and worth the trip. I will have to say, though, it’s embarrassing when you get passed by a bicycle. We played leap frog with this guy all the way up.

Open!

Snuck out of work and did this one on the spur of the moment, so I didn't bring my air pump and quickly realized I should have so I could have aired down. Very rocky and slow going all the way (5-10 mph) but no more snow and made it all the way. Worth the slow bumpy ride if you enjoy the wonderful beauty and history of the area. Saw a car about 3 miles up! Wouldn't recommend t

Rapid snowmelt over the last week and it is clear all the way to the top. Saw a few deer along the trail.

Still blocked by snow above Yankee Doodle lake, otherwise great ride!

Beautiful drive up today. It remains blocked by snow at Yankee Doodle Lake. And from what others told me, there is another big snowdrift past this one.

Confirming Dan Lee’s comments. There is one small snow bank just before yankee doodle but all but the lowest vehicles will have no issues getting over it. Still a fun trail with amazing views around the lake. As I’ve said before, this is easier than the rating. A Subaru Outback or Ford Escape with good tires won’t have any issues.

Can make it to Yankee Doodle lake; there's about a 5-6' drift blocking just past that which a few folks managed to drive over, then there's only single track wide due to a steep snowdrift blocking anything further. Great weather, just parked at Yankee Doodle and hiked up to Jenny Lake

Did this trail on June 24, and there was a snow bank about a mile from Yankee Doodle lake. It’s probably passable after these hot days we’ve had. Other than that you make make it to the lake no problem. Lots of snow around the lake and the trail will probably be impassible past this point for a while still. Couple weeks at the bare minimum. Trail is nice and easy, saw a Subaru outback at the top.

Impassable snow at the tight switchback between marker 2 and 3.

Snow is still pretty gnarly between waypoints 2 and 3 on the exposed cliff section, possible to get through but I can't recommend it. Give it another month.

Great day on the trail! Fresh snow was deep and sticky today, and not icy like usual. Made it just shy of 3 miles in where we hit waist deep snow. All three rigs on 40"+ tires. The drifts are deep, so don't go alone. We winched and and used kinetic Ropes a lot just to get to the 3 mile mark.

Open to just above Yankee Doodle Lake where there's a large drift at 39.93535, -105.65621 just past the narrow slot where it usually accumulates.. A narrow vehicle might make it past, but probably not after the next major accumulation. Snow wheeling at its best!

Views are spectacular from this trail... However it is very bumpy and overall kind of boring. Make sure you air down, and if you are looking for something more challenging hit Jenny Creek on your way up.

We ran Rollins Pass West last month where we looked down on Yankee Doodle Lake, So we had to check out Rollins Pass East and the lake. Lots of potholes and very rocky. It took us two hours to get to the top where it's blocked. Enjoyed a picnic overlooking Yankee Doodle lake.

There's a deep icy drift at the usual spot just past Yankee Doodle Lake, the trail is dry and passable up to that point.

Trail is open until just before WP7, where two shaded cuts are still snowed in. I saw an ATV send it through and just barely make it, but get stuck trying to get back. It’s melting fast so I’d imagine it’ll be passable soon. Up to that point the trail is draining heavily but in good shape overall. No issues in a stock 4Runner TRD-OR. There is also a Jeep GC mysteriously blocking part of the road on the hill after the first hairpin but it appeared as if even full size trucks were just able to squeeze by.

Great late season storm dumped a few inches on the pass. We made it to 39.924859, -105.628245 before a drift turned us back. There are some nice mud holes and a few drifts to navigate on the way. There were no tracks beyond where we turned around, but a lighter vehicle might be able to continue. You'd be remiss not to stop at Howlin' Wind for a pint after running this as far as the snow allows!

A great snow wheeling spot, but don't plan on getting more than a couple miles at best.

It’s finally covered in snow bottom up, very wind drifted as you pass Jenny creek. Did not make it up more then a mile or so past Jenny creek.

Made it close to the lake, about the last cut away with the big drop off. The cut was just drifted deep so any higher won’t be possible this season. Otherwise up till then we broke through everything, but it’s getting difficult for rigs with 33s or less and no lockers. Please go prepared to get stuck and have the proper recovery gear and more then one rig.

This trail was open up to Yankee doodle lake (waypoint 8). Deep snow made it impassable for my truck and I had to get winched out. Some 4 wheelers made it across the snow and up to the top.

Ran Rollins to the top after going up Jenny Creek. The road is never in great condition, so it's a bumpy ride to the top! Caught an early snowstorm, but there was no accumulation that will last more than a day or two. The mud pit is still dry for the season.

It’s bouncy ride to the top, lots of pot holes and Rocky stretches to keep you vibrating. Great views, my family grew tired of the rough road after 10miles up to the lakes but I thought it was great. Camped just a short ways south on Jenny Creek trail. JC trail much narrower and more technical then Rollins. We only did the North end for a camp site. Had a nice big moose cruise through our camp and found about 20 different kinds of mushrooms along the creek valley.

Nice drive and Forest Lakes hike was beautiful.

This was an enjoyable drive and is clear up through the blockage at the last waypoint. Ran Rollins up and Jenny Creek down!

Open

Road is clear up to Yankee Doodle. Just above the lake there is still a healthy snow drift waiting to melt. It won't be long, though.

The trail was easy and was clear up to Yankee Doodle Lake with only a small snow drift to clear. Impassable after Yankee Doodle to Jenny Lake due to a large snow drift. Maybe clear in a few weeks.

Made it to Yankee Doodle Lake! Caveat: was on quads, there's a super off camber snow pack area after the last cut out (WP7) which is also snow packed. Some full sized SXS were able to clear that, albeit with some sliding and possibly grazing the rock walls, but were too wide for the off camber slope a half mile back from Yankee Doodle. Jenny Lake still isn't nearly accessible yet, and historically isn't until mid July or later. Side note: people have been building campfires right on the road, guessing it was from people driving up in Spring as far as they could in the snow then calling it a night. Also, some kid on a quad ripped through alpine prairie to go around a snow pack field. Please don't do that, it's how we get roads closed.

There is still a pretty heavy snowdrift at waypoint 7. There is a smaller one about a 1/4mi short of this waypoint but an unmodded 4runner got high centered on it and had to be recovered. A lifted Jeep with lockers was able to get through this one but not the bigger one, again at WP7.

On my dirt bike I made it about 1.5 miles past Jenny Creek trail before getting turned around due to snow drift. . Road was fairly snow free (1 or 2 drifts but passable with proper 4x4) up u til that point. It was raining with more snow drifts ahead, so I turned around. Pic was about 1.5 miles before I turned back.

Attempted this today with 4 other rigs. There is a decent drift that we couldn’t make it past only like 100 yards into the trail.

Made it 6.5 miles up today. The snow is incredibly lack luster and sad right now for the time of year. With that said, there is still a number of deep, soft drifts. Be careful with your decisions. On our way out we saw 2 different rigs traveling alone, with zero winch points and street tires. That is not a good decision for winter wheeling.

Tried a push today with my 5th Gen 4Runner on 32”s and a stock 3rd gen Tacoma. There were deep ice ruts in the beginning where a water drainage crosses the road. Both rigs made it but the Tacoma was on its front skidplate going across. Made it to the incline before WP3 before getting stuck and bailing. The only tracks past us at that time were a pair of ATV/ SxS.

Visited Rollins pass from the East side on 12/05/20. First 3-5 miles were fairly easy (but extremely bumpy), once you get to sections of trail that are not in direct sunlight, snow and ice begin to become a big problem. Less than 7 miles in I encountered +3' snow drifts, along with it being late in the day I turned back. I had no cell service anywhere near here. Be prepared to self-rescue and you will likely encounter deep snow from Nov.-June. I could've likely made it further but didn't want to test my luck. Stock 2002 GMC Sierra 1500, did not air down tires.

This is a terribly rough road. One of the bumpiest I've been on. Lowered to 20 PSI was not low enough. And I couldn't believe some of the other vehicles I saw on this road with very little clearance and barely equipped to be on any road, let alone a 4x4 road. Not much trail etiquette here. The views are amazing though and the hike at the end up to the tunnel is great.

Whatever is the lowest PSI you can air your tires down to, DO IT. Honestly, Jenny Creek looked smoother and i probably should have taken advantage of running that trail instead of sticking to the road. There's a ton of small rocks making this trail one of the longest bumpiest stretches I've taken my jeep down. Lowered my PSI to 20 at the start of the trail, had to stop about a mile in and drop it to about 15 to smooth the ride out. Make sure you got everything strapped down in back as well as the potholes are all over on the first half. Other than that it was a pretty cool trail with amazing views. Vehicle Info: Jeep XJ 5.5" Lift 33"x12.5" tires @ 20/15 PSI

Road was very rough and slow going but we still had a blast. Not much traffic and the views and wildflowers were great! Easy trail other than the rough ride.

Don't get me wrong, the views from the top around Yankee Doodle Lake are stunning, but the road is in absolutely terrible shape. I was expecting a drive similar to Switzerland Trail but this trail was like just beat up. Rocky sections are like some of the worst washboard you've ever seen along with large semi-dry puddles that just beat the heck out of myself and my passengers. I'll be returning to this trail for snow wheeling as it will hide some of the issues I had with the road.

Nice views, bumpy. Open all the way to the top. Walked a bit further to go see the tunnel.

Did a night run up this trail all the way to Jenny Lake. Very rocky & bumpy. Nice views of the sky with no light pollution. Not a technical trail by any means.

Open to waypoint 8 at Yankee Doodle Lake. Snow drifts covering the road above and below the lake. Will be at least 2 weeks before it's passable. Very busy and lots of potholes but otherwise its an easy long trail.

Ran the pass and Jenny creek today. OMG the potholes! Made it to waypoint 7 and it had some deep snow. There were some tracks but we decided to turn around considering it was only getting worse ahead. Jenny creek was blocked after the creek and had to back out! Fun day!

Road blocked right in Rollinsville. Closed with ranger at the barrier. Local residents only.

Car stuck in snow blocking the trail about 5 seconds into the trail

Made it 2.5 miles in, just past the first switchback. Snow is deep and soft. Past a group of stockish toyotas that were struggling a lot and only made it half the distance we did, even in our tracks.

Passable to the top. Some snow on the road in the shady spots but nothing deep. Still pot holed, rocky, and bumpy.

Amazing views but pretty bumpy. Can’t get any speed

Road was rough, nothing a stock 4x4 couldn't tackle but a lot of washout and ruts. Airing down the tires made a big difference. Wasn't too crowed for a Saturday. We found a great primitive camp spot right off the road towards the top of the pass. Would do the trail again if the entire pass would finally open through the tunnel but I see no reason to come back to the trail.

Very bumpy and crowded. The road is mostly dry with lots of side by sides, 4 wheelers, Jeeps, Trucks, and dirt bikes. I don't think I'll be doing this road again until fall or spring when it isn't so crowded.

This road is in much worse shape than I remember it last year. I dont say it often but this is one road I have no interest in driving again honestly. The road is long and it’s extremely bumpy the entire length. Very rutted out, and overall just rocky and rough. It’s also a very busy road with any type of vehicle on it. Today there were tons of mountain bikes, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps, trucks, and stock crossovers. Most people do a good job with off road etiquette but you will run into the occasional person who has no idea what is going on around them as they grind their stock crossover up the road. As far as conditions go, you can go all the way to about a half mile from waypoint 10/ the end. It looks like someone plowed the snow that typically sticks forever just past Jenny Lake, but you will run into a large drift after the Forest Lakes trailhead parking. I saw one person get stuck in the drift today so I wouldnt even both trying to get through it.

Beautifully scenic drive. Very easy, but very bumpy. Saw a Subaru club up there with about 20 cars in their group. Didn't make it to the end, but past Jenny lake. Great way to spend an afternoon.

Made it up just past the lake yesterday. There is a snow drift blocking access to the road just after the lake. Can probably accomplish with a lift vehicle and some solid recovery kit.

Three of us Crosstreks did it today. Lots of traffic on the trail, open up to the lake but snowed in past it.

We went up to the Jenny Creek entrance today. we elected to go up Jenny Creek instead of the full distance of Rollins Pass East. There was very little snow up to and past that point. Pretty nice conditions. Lots of campers out today. I don’t know if you can get all the way through, but you can get A LOT further than you could a month ago. Have fun and be safe.

As was said in the prior review, this trail is partially passable. We made it about 5.2 miles up before calling it (almost to the Jenny Creek turnoff). We seemed to be the first group of full-size vehicles to run the trail since the last snow. The trend was "snow, dry trail, snow, dry trail, SNOW." The puddles were fun.

Had a great time heading up Rollins Pass Road today! About 4 miles in, there are some deeply rutted snow drifts. Made it through ok in a stock suspension Rubicon with 33s. The problem with the snow now is that it's deep and soft. Should be a lot more passable in a few weeks.

We went up Rollins Pass East today and it was awesome! There was approximately 4 inches of new snow from the storm a few days ago which added to the excitement. Right after the big mud hole at the first hairpin corner there was a stuck Silverado and a few jeeps winching him out. We were able to go around and broke trail for about another 2 miles. The snow gets extremely deep but we were able to stay on top of most of it. We finally got to a spot on the north side of the mountain that was very deep. Since we were running out of time we decided to go back down. In the next few weeks the drifts will start to shrink and the trail will become easier and easier. Be careful as the drifts soften up as the day warms up so going down may prove a little harder than you might think.

Had a group of very well equipped Jeeps on large tires. The snow is deep and sugary through most of the trail. The beginning was very icy under a fresh layer of snow. There were a number of pretty good drifts in the really shaded parts that we really had to work to get through, but we made it almost 6 miles until we met a giant snow drift covering the road. Stock vehicles should not attempt this trail until the snow clears.

road is open but there is a large snowdrift blocking the road at about 10327', about halfway between the entrance and exit of the Jenny Creek trail. It's not worth it to try and get past that drift, because there's another bigger one right past it.

For the time of year, the snow is very minimal right now. There were a couple fresh inches at the beginning, but that was it really. We didn't encounter significant snow untill about waypoint 5. It appears there were some large drifts maybe a week or 2 ago, but those had been busted by previous drivers, leaving only a couple inches from the last storm. We made it almost to the lake, but we're stopped by a large, off camber, wind blown drift at 9.3 miles. No other issues or recovery needed except at the 9.3 mile mark.

Road is open and in good shape until about 1/2 mile before checkpoint 8. There are 3 curves that have deeps drifts. First one doesn't look as bad and then the 2nd and 3rd one are much bigger. Saw a Rubicon on 37s tackle the first set of drifts, but didn't look like he went for the second. Some side by sides came through too with no problem. With the right gear it would be doable, but I was in a stock TRD OR Tacoma.