Lead King Basin recent conditions

Trailhead condition requests, questions, alerts, etc.
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zootloopz
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Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by zootloopz »

Hellooooo has anyone been up this way since the last conditions report in early June? Is the road still blocked?

Looking to get Hagerman or snowmass s ridge!

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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by E_A_Marcus_949 »

I was just looking at this TH and wondering the same given the TH update from a month ago (esp. for s ridge up Snowmass).
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by osprey »

This was a reply to the same question on FB posted on July 5.
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by zootloopz »

Thank you! I always forget that so many folks use the Facebook groups.
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by XterraRob »

I haven't been on the LKB trail in a while, last run was in an SUV. Anyone know whether a full size extended cab truck w/ short bed can make the trail? I remember one narrow portion that was a little sketch .
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by cougar »

XterraRob wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 3:19 pm I haven't been on the LKB trail in a while, last run was in an SUV. Anyone know whether a full size extended cab truck w/ short bed can make the trail? I remember one narrow portion that was a little sketch .
We rode up the high road in an extended cab Tacoma last year with no issues. There were some other similar type trucks up there. The road seemed better than I expected, just a few rough spots, but still took an hour from Marble.
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by E_A_Marcus_949 »

Is there another comparable road to Lead King that would give an idea of it? Uncompaghre or South Colony or ? Thanks!
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by XterraRob »

E_A_Marcus_949 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:28 pm Is there another comparable road to Lead King that would give an idea of it? Uncompaghre or South Colony or ? Thanks!
IIRC It's just really narrow in some spots, but definitely recommend 4WD. Nothing crazier than any other 4WD 14er trailhead.
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by daway8 »

XterraRob wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:46 pm
E_A_Marcus_949 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:28 pm Is there another comparable road to Lead King that would give an idea of it? Uncompaghre or South Colony or ? Thanks!
IIRC It's just really narrow in some spots, but definitely recommend 4WD. Nothing crazier than any other 4WD 14er trailhead.
I recall it being a good bit steeper and more narrow in places than, for instance South Colony. I just did South Colony again and was pretty relaxed the whole way - I recall gripping the wheel a bit tighter for LKB - though I did it in the dark which didn't help.

Also, when I did it there were some mind-blowingly deep ruts in the road at one spot - I steered my Jeep to straddle over one of the ruts and recall being concerned what would happen if I got stuck in a rut (lol).

Also I seem to remember a couple fairly tight, sightly steep switchbacks which might create more challenge for longer vehicles - but I think those switchbacks were fairly open as I recall.

Overall, nothing too crazy - certainly nothing on the level of Como, but I would rate it a little more engaging than South Colony.

Oh, and I made a note saying I imagine that road could be very, very ugly after a big rain (speculation based on the amount of dirt, deep ruts, etc)
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by nmjameswilson »

XterraRob wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 3:19 pm I haven't been on the LKB trail in a while, last run was in an SUV. Anyone know whether a full size extended cab truck w/ short bed can make the trail? I remember one narrow portion that was a little sketch .
This is my first concern too with a Tundra. Thinking it is just too narrow for it but thinking maybe the lower road is better?
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by CaptainSuburbia »

nmjameswilson wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 9:14 am
XterraRob wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 3:19 pm I haven't been on the LKB trail in a while, last run was in an SUV. Anyone know whether a full size extended cab truck w/ short bed can make the trail? I remember one narrow portion that was a little sketch .
This is my first concern too with a Tundra. Thinking it is just too narrow for it but thinking maybe the lower road is better?
I've driven both roads in my RAM 1500. I had no issues on the upper road. On the lower road I parked about 1 mile short of the trailhead. There was a rock obstacle I wasn't sure I had the proper clearance for. I think it was doable though with a good line.
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Re: Lead King Basin recent conditions

Post by nmjameswilson »

CaptainSuburbia wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 10:41 am I've driven both roads in my RAM 1500. I had no issues on the upper road. On the lower road I parked about 1 mile short of the trailhead. There was a rock obstacle I wasn't sure I had the proper clearance for. I think it was doable though with a good line.
Thanks man I appreciate it.
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