Saran Wrap

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Teller County)

Last Updated: 10/19/2019
4.6 / 5 ( 9 reviews )
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Highlights

Highlight: Saran Wrap
Saran Wrap (FS 370D) is a 4WD trail located within the Pike National Forest approximately 15 miles southwest of Colorado Springs. The Pike National Forest contains a myriad of trails which provide a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. The area is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The trail network includes mild trails suitable for stock vehicles (it is not uncommon to see ordinary passenger sedans and minivans on some trails) in addition to genuine 4WD tracks such as Mount Baldy (FS 379), Eagle Rock (FS 370C), and Saran Wrap (FS 370D) that traverse higher elevations and contain noteworthy obstacles. Accessibility and panoramic mountain views are the greatest attractions to this area.

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Route Information

Advanced Rating System

Recommended Vehicle:
Lightly Modified 4X4 (Small Lift and Larger Tires)
Concerns:
Summary:
The difficulty rating is increased to 5 based on the rocks, camber, ruts, and narrow track between Waypoints 2 and 4. Erosion has increased the depth of the V-notch at Waypoint 2, exposed larger rocks between Waypoint 3 and 4, and has increased the depth of the ruts at Waypoint 4.

Technical Rating

MANDATORY
5
DIFFICULT
OPTIONAL
5
DIFFICULT
Rocky or undulated road surface. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 24" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 24" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 54" inches. Tire placement becomes more difficult. Can be steep and off-camber.
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Description

Saran Wrap is a short, obstacle-filled loop connecting Gold Camp Road (FS 370) and Eagle Rock (FS 370C). It can be traversed in either direction—east to west, or west to east. Both trailheads are marked with signs indicating FS 370D. The eastern trailhead is easily identifiable in the first meadow segment of Eagle Rock (FS 370C). The western trailhead is located on a wide, sweeping curve of Gold Camp Road. Saran Wrap is a serious four-wheel drive trail. It contains numerous rock and rut obstacles and their difficulty is compounded by camber or steep grade. The westerly segment has several narrow spots between trees and boulders with potential to scrape rockers or snag a roof rack. Stock 4x4 vehicles beware, as armor, high clearance, and flexible suspension is strongly recommended on this four-wheel drive trail.

Waypoints

1. Saran Wrap Trailhead (0 mi)
Turn left at the 370D trailhead marker. It stands beside the shallow stream in the first meadow segment of Eagle Rock trail. 4WD is not required to get to this trailhead, so the meadow is a good place to lock hubs and make final equipment and communications checks. This area is also a suitable group campsite, located at the foot of Mount Big Chief immediately to the east. The meadow features a view to the north of a pinnacle which inspires the title--Eagle Rock.
2. Campsite at Top of V Notch (0.2 mi)
Follow the trail's turn to the right through this deep rut. Narrow track vehicles may skirt the rut on one side, but many choose to straddle it. Use caution, this rut is deep! To the left side is a level site suitable for small group camping, 1-3 vehicles.
3. Intersection Spur FS 370DA (0.3 mi)
Turn left to proceed on Saran Wrap, or turn right to take the Spur, FS 370DA. From here, it is downhill to Gold Camp Road. Be cautious, however, as the segment ahead contains off-camber tight squeezes between rocks and trees.
4. Rutted Descent (0.7 mi)
Turn left sharply with the trail as it descends through deep ruts. The milder bypass is on the left side.
5. End Saran Wrap (0.9 mi)
The trail moderates immediately after the rutted descent, and becomes a gentle two-track. It arrives at the intersection with Gold Camp Road. Turn left to go towards Eagle Rock, Mount Baldy, Mount Rosa, or Colorado Springs. Turn right to travel towards the town of Victor, with the road now completely open! The USFS and Teller County repaired the road wash-out near FS 376 in late October, 2016.)

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, from Interstate 25, take exit #140 Tejon Street/Nevada Avenue. Travel south on Nevada Avenue approximately one mile to Lake Avenue. Turn right on Lake Avenue, passing straight through two round-abouts, and arrive at the third round-about directly in front of the historic Broadmoor Hotel. Turn left onto Pourtales Road for approximately one-quarter mile, then right onto Mirada Road for one-half a mile. At the intersection with Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard, turn right and proceed across Penrose Boulevard (4-way stop). At this point, Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard becomes Old Stage Road, and soon turns from pavement to graded dirt road. Old Stage Road twists and winds up the mountain through adjoining private property and National Forest lands providing spectacular overlooks of the city below. The Eagle Rock trailhead marker (Forest Service Road 370C) is approximately 14 miles ahead. The eastern trailhead marker for Saran Wrap is one-quarter mile beyond the standing water "ponds", near the Eagle Rock trail. If you choose to run Saran Wrap from west to east, then continue about half a mile further west on Gold Camp Road. The western Saran Wrap trailhead marker will be on your right amid a stand of Aspen trees.

Camping

Dispersed
Dispersed camping is permitted on Saran Wrap and elsewhere within the Pike National Forest at undeveloped sites along the trail. The meadow on Eagle Rock trail is suitable for group camping, as is the small level site at Waypoint 2 (1-3 vehicles). Users should be aware that there are numerous private properties within the area adjacent to public lands. The private properties are usually, but not always, fenced and signed as private. Use the Motor Vehicle User Map (MVUM), available from the Pikes Peak Ranger District, to help distinguish between public and private land. The Forest Service recommends camping 300' from any trail or stream. Please respect other trail users--pack it in/pack it out. Some sites within the National Forest are heavily littered due to inconsiderate users.
Camping: Saran Wrap

Trail Reviews (14)

Questions & Answers (2)

Q: Apologies, not a trail specific question. Tracy, you mentioned a clean-up crew made up of 4x4 clubs in CO that swept through this trail. I've been looking for a club to join, can you recommend a few? Thanks!
–Stephen (06/29/2018)
A: From memory, the clubs involved in that clean-up were Bighorn 4x4 and Colorado Springs Christian 4x4. My club, Colorado Land Cruisers, coincidentally had a trail clean-up scheduled the same date so we just joined them.
–Tracy Barker (06/30/2018)
Q: Not really a question. Gold Camp road is now (11/22/2016) repaired and you can access Victor and Cripple Creek.
–Jeff (11/22/2016)
A: Jeff, thank you for the notice! I see that repair completion was posted on the #pikespeakRD Facebook page, October 21st. I will confirm with the Pikes Peak Ranger District Office and update the pages here. EDIT: Thanks again, Jeff. I called the Pikes Peak Ranger District and confirmed. Page updated.
–Tracy Barker (11/29/2016)

Writer Information

Tracy Barker

Mapping Crew - Colorado
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Tracy is an outdoor enthusiast originally from north Alabama. His family moved to central Utah when Tracy was a child, and subsequently to southern Utah, where he fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. His favorite activities are family trail rides and camping with small groups. He started many years ago in his dad's F-150 pickup truck, and subsequently his own 4x4 acquisition, a 1975 Ford Bronco (in 1991).
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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