Handies from American Basin Conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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BlueKhan
Posts: 86
Joined: 7/10/2011
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Re: Handies from American Basin Conditions

Post by BlueKhan »

Beto wrote:I was hoping to do Handies via American Basin in a couple of weeks, but I'm driving a stock minivan that my wife would prefer (ok...mandates) I not trash. The route description suggests that normally the 2WD road is only .9 miles from the TH, which I was just going to walk. I'm sorta thinking I misunderstand.

What would be the best way to do this? Maybe rent a jeep for the day in Lake City?
Doing it from Grizzly Gulch would be much cheaper, I've taken my Saturn Ion up to Grizzly (given it was October 2012) and there were some pretty tricky drainage ditches to get through. I wouldn't attempt going very much past Grizzly Gulch in anything less than a moderate clearance 4X4. As mr. Chris's recent beta suggests, I probably wouldn't take my Ion back up there this season.
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Rcizzle
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Re: Handies from American Basin Conditions

Post by Rcizzle »

If you decide to take a spin around Engineer and Cinnamon up high, be aware that there could be ALOT of Jeep traffic. Can be a bit slow. Views are definitely worth it.
Bad decisions make good stories.
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CMar75
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Re: Handies from American Basin Conditions

Post by CMar75 »

I was in the mountains with no internet to see the rest of the responses to this about the road. So...I took my 2010 Honda Pilot (not 4wd) up to the end of the 2WD part. I can attest to what others are saying - there are 3 really tricky parts before the end of this '2WD' part of the road that are worse than the rest of the 4WD to AB. I went for it and ended up with some damage underneath. If you want to go all the way, I suggest you rent/borrow a 4WD.

The hike was amazing with the waterfalls and all the flowers!! We were chased off by a major storm about 100 yds from the top, but I'll be back...
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