Might I take 2wd to Grays Peak?

[Luisaorte07]

Hi there! I'm planning to go this upcoming Saturday to Grays Peak but I have a Kia Sportage, front wheels drive, do you think I can make it to the trailhead? Or would I need a high clearance car for it? TIA

[daway8]

Depends on how much of the bottom of your car you want to leave along the road - I personally would not go up there in that car - just park at the 2WD lot and hike.

But if you're a good enough driver who knows how to negotiate mountain roads then you might be just fine.

All depends on how good a driver you are and how much risk you want to take with your vehicle.

When in doubt, walk in and out.

[dan0rama]

In the summer, the main concern isn't traction, it's just clearance and tires. Any vehicle with 10+ in clearance and A/T tires can easily get through it. Having said that, most vehicles I see up G&T and Kite Lake do not have the needed clearance and tires. Coincidentally, I also see a lot of people going up G&T and Decalibro on gym shoes.

[mnsebourn]

I don’t think there is any rhyme or reason to what gets to what TH.

Maybe I’m just too big of a chicken or don’t care to leave parts of my vehicle that I work hard to pay for on CO mountainsides, but I’ve turned my Tundra around on roads that some folks will take a CRV up.

All depends on how good or crazy you are or how much you value you the well being of your vehicle, I guess.

That said, I got my old 2WD Tundra up that road a few years back. But I wouldn’t take anything with less clearance up there.

[Conor]

I used to own a 2004 Pontiac grand am. It made it to the g & t trailhead just fine. I'm not sure what the road is like this year. I think I drove to north half-moon trailhead as well. Ymmv, if your not comfortable with it, bring a bike or hike it.

[SchralpTheGnar]

I drove my 1988 Chevy celebrity to the grays trailhead in 1999. That’s gotta be some kind of record

[MaryinColorado]

If I recall, the Sportage has less clearance than a standard mid-size SUV, so I would not risk it. I've been rocking a 7.3" clearance in current and prior SUV, and that's the MINIMUM I feel comfortable with on that road - and only because I have decent off-roading experience, so I can navigate tricky areas. So, if I were you, I wouldn't risk it. Park at the I-70 lot and start hiking but also stick out your thumb. A lot of us are more than willing to pick up hikers with less-than-capable vehicles.

[TravelingMatt]

I drove my 1988 Chevy celebrity to the grays trailhead in 1999. That’s gotta be some kind of record

Specifically, a Celebrity still being on the road after 11 years.

[Will_E]

It’s a fantastic road walk, I’ve done it 10 or so times, always from I70.

[Mtnman200]

Park at the I-70 lot and start hiking but also stick out your thumb. A lot of us are more than willing to pick up hikers with less-than-capable vehicles.

+1
I’ve both given and gotten rides up and down that road.

[curt86iroc]

just took a rav4 to the top. you'll be fine.

[HokieTom]

Make sure you get there early though. The weekend parking will be packed by 6.