Cross Creek / Half Moon trailheads - do I need 4WD?

[dgposton]

I'm planning to backpack the loop starting from Cross Creek, going up around Missouri Pass, and back to the Half Moon trailhead. I plan to park one car at Half Moon and the other at Cross Creek. Should I be OK with a regular compact car like a Corolla or Focus? Are the potholes bad? I will be driving a rental vehicle and I don't plan to rent a 4WD vehicle. The other vehicle in our party will be a Toyota 4Runner, so hopefully if one of the roads is bad we can take the 4Runner up that road. Thoughts?

I also would like feedback as to whether Missouri Pass and/or Fancy Pass will still have large amounts of snow as of the July 1-4 weekend.

[MtnHigh]

I've rode my MTB up Tigiwon Road many times until the gate opened on Tuesday 6/21. Its a bumpy road, but no big potholes or 4WD needed, just suspension. Save yourself the $ and hassle of two vehicles - leave your rental at the Cross Creek trailhead and when you get Half Moon trailhead, plan to walk 5 miles down the road or trust you can thumb a ride - its busy on weekends. Plus parking at both Cross Creek and Half Moon trailheads is usually jammed with vehicles - why add one more? With good map and GPS skills, you can short cut many of the road switchbacks until you reach the two long road traverses.

We had a great winter and spring in the Vail area, plan for snow on the higher passes, lots of wet lower down. Bring gaiters, spikes and an ice axe.

Best of all - have a great trip!

[SkiBum1287]

http://14ers.com/php14ers/trailheadsvie ... hparm=sw25

Half Moon trailhead is supposedly open as of 2 days ago. The way I understand it, Cross Creek trailhead is just a mile or two up along the same road as Half Moon TH, so you shouldn't have trouble.

And I believe the way a car shuttle works is you have to drive both cars up both roads at some point, so, assuming a 4WD section, I don't think one 4WD vehicle would do you much good unless one person wanted to hike the 6 miles of road to grab the other vehicle .

[dgposton]

I've rode my MTB up Tigiwon Road many times until the gate opened on Tuesday 6/21. Its a bumpy road, but no big potholes or 4WD needed, just suspension. Save yourself the $ and hassle of two vehicles - leave your rental at the Cross Creek trailhead and when you get Half Moon trailhead, plan to walk 5 miles down the road or trust you can thumb a ride - its busy on weekends. Plus parking at both Cross Creek and Half Moon trailheads is usually jammed with vehicles - why add one more? With good map and GPS skills, you can short cut many of the road switchbacks until you reach the two long road traverses.

We had a great winter and spring in the Vail area, plan for snow on the higher passes, lots of wet lower down. Bring gaiters, spikes and an ice axe.

Best of all - have a great trip!

Thanks for the tip. I think it comes down to snow/ice on Missouri Pass. Since I don't have, nor want to carry an ice axe and other gear, should I not risk it? I'll be backpacking July 1-4.

[MtnHigh]

Given the volume of traffic I saw over the weekend at the Missouri Lakes trail head, you will likely be fine. Plus the snow is melting fast. Know how to use your trekking poles in firm/soft snow and as an arrest tool if needed.