Montezuma Parking

[Tornadoman]

I am looking into possible doing Santa Fe Peak and the other 13ers (Sullivan, Geneva, Landslide) in the next few days. From what I understand, the Santa Fe Peak Road is pretty rough (I will be driving a Toyota Corolla), and there are strict no parking rules throughout the town of Montezuma. I was thinking at just parking at the beginning of the Peru Creek Road and walking to the start of the Santa Fe Peak Road. Is this my best bet or are there other closer places to park without risking vehicle damage or being towed?

[Jon Frohlich]

I don't recall that well the lower part of the road but I don't think it was that bad. You might be able to find a parking spot somewhere near the beginning. There are quite a few houses right on that part. Maybe someone else has a better answer.

In any case don't drive anywhere near treeline. It does get very bad after that. I blew a tire up there on my 4Runner and it was a mess. Had to change the tire while parked at the Quail Mine.

[highpilgrim]

We drove up the road leading to the mine and stopped before the road got bad. There was a switchback with room for a couple of cars and our car was undisturbed while parked there. We did the same group you mention, went out along the ridge and then descended partway back to the road for the remainder of the hike. It made the trip about an 11 mile jaunt and it was fun.

Walking back up the last few hundred feet to the switchback was less than ideal, but it worked.

[Trotter]

+1 to what they said. Park on the road below treeline, maybe about 3 or 4 switchbacks up. Near treeline it gets high clearance 2WD, above treeline is fairly nasty 4WD.