Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Trailhead condition requests, questions, alerts, etc.
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marcusmartin
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Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by marcusmartin »

Are there campsites at the upper 4WD Nellie Creek TH for Uncompahgre Peak? If so, what are they like, how many, any other details would be helpful. How full have they been lately? Thanks! Marcus
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by markf »

https://freecampsites.net/#!207967&query=sitedetails
I was there last October and found plenty of flat ground to pitch a tent, but there was too much snow to see much else. There is an outhouse at the upper trailhead. ISTR a few spots where you could camp between the 2WD and 4WD trailheads.
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by Mtnman200 »

There are several good campsites at the upper trailhead. It might be a challenge to get one of the sites on a weekend, but other sites are available a bit lower.

I haven’t camped at the upper TH since August so I can’t speak to current conditions.
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by nmjameswilson »

I was up there a couple weeks ago and there are plenty of spots. I am sure you know but the road is a 4 WD road for sure with a couple fun crossings.
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mountainrev
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by mountainrev »

markf wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:29 pm https://freecampsites.net/#!207967&query=sitedetails
I was there last October and found plenty of flat ground to pitch a tent, but there was too much snow to see much else. There is an outhouse at the upper trailhead. ISTR a few spots where you could camp between the 2WD and 4WD trailheads.
The outhouse was closed a few years ago. It was still that way last time I was up there (two years ago). Has that changed?
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by Mtnman200 »

mountainrev wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:33 pm
markf wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:29 pm https://freecampsites.net/#!207967&query=sitedetails
I was there last October and found plenty of flat ground to pitch a tent, but there was too much snow to see much else. There is an outhouse at the upper trailhead. ISTR a few spots where you could camp between the 2WD and 4WD trailheads.
The outhouse was closed a few years ago. It was still that way last time I was up there (two years ago). Has that changed?
It was open when I was there in August 2019.
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by marcusmartin »

Thanks all for the valuable input and suggestions. I really appreciate it.
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by gski »

I was there last week and there were several spots scattered along the upper road.
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two lunches
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by two lunches »

there are a handful of flat, dispersed spots in the trees within .5mi of the upper trailhead. when i was up there a couple weekends ago there were several tents set up around the upper parking lot, as well. the upper lot was not full when arrived on a friday evening, nor when i departed on saturday around 10am.

FWIW, i was confused about the hype for the first several miles of the Nellie Creek road as i was driving, wondering what everyone was fussing about on this site, but as it turns out.. that is ACTUALLY a 4WD road. i did not see any subarus at the top. ALSO if anyone was wondering while they're in the area, the Ouray side of Engineer Pass is not comparable to the Lake City Side..
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by onebyone »

To add to the rest, the half mile or so after the second stream crossing can be a bit of a bitch when wet. If dry no problem.

It’s def a 4 wheel drive road but nothing crazy imho
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Re: Upper (4WD) Nellie Creek Trailhead (Uncompahgre)

Post by two lunches »

onebyone wrote: Thu Jul 30, 2020 3:46 pm It’s def a 4 wheel drive road but nothing crazy imho
agree. zero concerns (in wet or dry conditions) if you have a 4x4 with decent clearance, low gears, and good tires. if you are lacking one of those things, expect concerns. if you are lacking two or more of those things, don't drive past the second creek.
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