1 Posted By: swilson753 Info: The upper TH for Spruce Creek isn’t too bad. I got up in a 2wd Hyundai Tucson in the dark. It looked worse in the daylight than in the dark. I’d say it’s passable with 2wd + a little extra clearance. There’s lots of rocks, but nothing super loose. No huge ruts/divots to worry about either. | ||||
Posted By: sarahmariekirk Info: 4WD up to Upper Spruce Creek TH is clear of snow and not too bad - my Rubicon handled it great and so did my friend in his Subaru Outback. This road is worse than Grays Peak TH - there are some pretty big divots in the road and bigger rocks to navigate, but very doable as long as you pick the right line and go slow. Crystal 4WD TH is also clear of snow - but has some shallow creeks running along the road. Saw a number of vehicles up there today, and the road did not seem to be in terrible condition although there were a few obstacles to navigate (including the creek crossings see photo attached.) | ||||
Posted By: jamie09302 Info: Trailhead road is in decent condition. Made it to the 4WD trailhead in my F150 very easily, would be okay in a normal SUV (yes, your Subaru can make it to the trailhead). Cannot currently drive all the way up to Crystal Lake even in high clearance 4WD, too many large snowdrifts. | ||||
Posted By: SchralpTheGnar Info: Was able to drive up the spruce creek 4wd road above the 2wd lot about 1 mile to a nice parking area. | ||||
Posted By: ncxhjhgvbi Info: Walked up the Crystal Creek road to the wheeler junction. Road is tracked out by an ATV with a track system - theyre doing some work on Francie’s so it was relatively easy to walk up without spikes or floatation. Looks like a few passenger vehicles have attempted Crystal but turned around pretty quickly - I would recommend staying on the Spruce Creek Road if you really want to try to get higher. Past Francie’s, snow is about mid shin to knee deep with only a few boot tracks to be seen. Was able to board down, only had to unstrap for a few rocky sections. | ||||
Posted By: cougar Info: Road is Subaruable to the upper Spruce 4wd trailhead ar 11k and Wheeler junction. It’s slow going and a few spots to take lines carefully, but overall passable. Got my 17 outback up and saw an old Outback lower clearance one up there. | ||||
Posted By: rudi32 Info: I would say Rough 2WD to Spruce Creek TH (10,400’). Gate is still closed headed up Crystal Creek, still major snow on the road above 11,000’. Lost a pair of goggles coming down Crystal Creek road although, if anyone happens to snag them let me know ! | ||||
Posted By: LetsGoMets Info: 2WD to the lower TH around 10,400. Recommended clearance and good tires to get up to the upper TH, would not take a Subaru or like AWD vehicle. | ||||
Posted By: nedryarson Info: Took my stock Xterra Pro-4x up Crystal Creek to the Lower Crystal Lake trailhead. Once you leave the Spruce Creek road right after the lowest trailhead, this is a legit 4x4 road. Narrow, steep, big rocks, and lots of deep holes. Easier once you pass Francie’s Cabin and leave the forest. Biggest concern was encountering oncoming vehicles on the way down (very few pullouts for passing) but ended up lucking out. Other vehicles at trailhead - three full-size trucks, one 4runner, two Wranglers. | ||||
Posted By: camiller4 Info: Drove my Subaru Forester up the 4WD road to Upper Spruce Creek TH (Spruce Creek Rd/Aqueduct Rd junction). Road is really not that bad, definitely pretty rocky with some deep holes, but very doable if you are a confident driver with 4WD and at least as much clearance as a forester. | ||||
Posted By: blazintoes Info: Spruce creek is dry. Get there early. It fills quickly even on a weekday. You can drive up to Mohawk Lakes TH in a rental car (thats what CO visitors told me). I prefer to MTB on roads like this because its faster and less abusive but the 4WD road is bumpy and wet. You can park 2.2 miles to the upper TH from Spruce Creek and have an easier hike to go see the beautiful waterfall! | ||||
Posted By: berko89 Info: Took a stock 2017 Tacoma with AT tires up the Crystal Creek 4WD drive road. Didn’t go all the way to the lake - pulled off and parked near treeline shortly after the closed gate for the road that connects to the Spruce Creek road. Crystal Creek Road is rough and narrow - few pullouts and you have to get a bit creative to let oncoming cars pass. The numerous deep holes are the main thing that could actually prevent someone from getting up the road in a Subaru-type vehicle. Saw a 2013 Jeep Cherokee parked at the lake and a Ford Raptor coming up in the afternoon. | ||||
Posted By: hgrote Info: On way to hike Mohawk Lakes today, was able to bring my Highlander to within 0.4 miles of end of road, but was a big puddle that I didn’t chance going through. Road is in pretty decent shape. | ||||
Posted By: cyrrus Info: Drove to crystal lake yesterday. Road is quite rough--in steeper sections, there are numerous sizeable holes. It would be very challenging to get a subaru up this road given the needed torque to get past these sections. There are also very few places to turn around if your vehicle can’t hack it. Despite numerous rocks, they are nearly all quite small. All vehicles at the lake were more or less alike -- Tacomas and Jeeps. I took my xterra. Gate is open. The road is barely wide enough for 1 vehicle. Would recommend not driving up when everyone is coming down - i.e. late afternoon | ||||
Posted By: rhammond530 Info: Clear to the upper trailhead, high clearance necessary. 4WD still closed, road has snow on it above the Crystal Creek diversion. | ||||
Posted By: Agstrohmeier Info: Still recommend parking at the lower trailhead. You can make it about half way up the road to the other 2wd trailhead but then it is snowpacked. 4wd gate still closed, and snowed in well before the treeline. | ||||
Posted By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Spruce Creek road is still blocked by snow just a short distance about the lower, 2WD trailhead (10,400’). | ||||
Posted By: ryannadire Info: Plowed to 2wd trailhead. Roughest part is the first two hundred yards from Hwy 9. | ||||
Posted By: Cereal Info: Nicely plowed to TH; any 2WD vehicle (or at least my Toyota Corolla) can make it. | ||||
Posted By: ma1919 Info: Packed snow pretty much all the way from Hwy 9 to the winter/2WD trailhead. Any vehicle with decent tires should be able to make it, although 2WD might require a little more skill. The worst part is the initial 1/4 mile right off of Hwy 9 - if you can make it up that, you’ll be fine for the rest of the way. The road past the 2WD TH is blocked by a snow berm. The parking lot was probably 1/3 full at 8:30 AM on a Saturday, but there were only a few spots left around noon. | ||||
Posted By: madmattd Info: 2WD lot half-full at 7am, way past full with cars parked along the road for 1/4mi+ at 1pm. Easily 100 cars around the main lot. Road to Upper Crystal Lakes open and numerous 4WD vehicles made it to the lake. Clearance needed moreso than 4WD/AWD. One stream crossing on the road that is a borderline rock-hop for the foot traffic, another that has a detour path to a couple logs across the creek. | ||||
Posted By: 9patrickmurphy Info: Spruce Creek 4WD road open to its junction with Wheeler Trail. Crystal Lakes 4WD road gate is currently shut at junction with Spruc Creek road. | ||||
Posted By: madmountainmike Info: Basically snow free until you hit the big old avy debris over the road at top of the hill before the last descent to meadow and parking area. 2 historic slide debris with trees and snow covering 100+ feet of road within .75 miles of 4wd thj | ||||
Posted By: grahampa Info: Spruce Creek is open and easily accessible with 2wd. Deep snow starts immediately on 4wd road beyond TH |
