Do I need a 4x4 just to
Take the scenic byway from lake city to the lower trailhead. ? I thought I would be fine in my Buick Encore. Not attempting stream crossing and hiking to upper trailhead. Read some reports saying I need a 4x4 just for that road to the lower American Basin turn off??? I sure hope not.
Lower American Basin not trailhead
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Kcmartinez22
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Phill the Thrill
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Re: Lower American Basin not trailhead
Yes, you will need a 4WD vehicle with good clearance to make the lower TH of American Basin. You won't make it in a Buick Encore without damaging your car. With skillful driving you could make it to the Silver Creek/Grizzly Gulch TH parking but I wouldn't recommend that either.
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Tory Wells
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Re: Lower American Basin not trailhead
You should be able to get your car just fine to the Silver Creek/Grizzly Gulch TH, no vehicle damage necessary.
"Tongue-tied and twisted, just an earthbound misfit, am I." -David Gilmour, Pink Floyd
"We knocked the bastard off." Hillary, 1953
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"We knocked the bastard off." Hillary, 1953
"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." Hillary, 2003
Couldn't we all use 50 years of humble growth?
-Steve Gladbach
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wyyld
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Re: Lower American Basin not trailhead
I've been up there twice in my 2wd Toyota Highlander. There is a few spots where it gets rough but it's completely doable with high clearance and careful driving. I didn't attempt the stream crossing after the turn to the Basin.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." - John Muir
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Kansan
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Re: Lower American Basin not trailhead
We made it last year with in a Lexus 4 door sedan. It was slow careful going, but we got there and back with no damage.
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bigDmulc009
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Re: Lower American Basin not trailhead
Hey wyyld, what year do you have? I have a 2007 and have had luck on similar sounding roads. Seems like we have similar enough models to accurately compare experiencewyyld wrote:I've been up there twice in my 2wd Toyota Highlander. There is a few spots where it gets rough but it's completely doable with high clearance and careful driving. I didn't attempt the stream crossing after the turn to the Basin.
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wyyld
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Re: Lower American Basin not trailhead
2006
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." - John Muir
