So i’m needing some advice for a trip to Lake City in a few weeks. Planning to hike the five 14ers closest to town. My question is in regards to navigating the 4x4 sections to the upper THs in the dark hours of the morning, paticularly American Basin, Matterhorn Creek and Nellie.
I really enjoy the mountain towns and had planned on staying in LC, waking early each morning and driving to each TH in time for a 530 or so start. I’ll be in a 4Runner that has off-road tires, but is stock otherwise. My main question is not about my ability to navigate and traverse the roads in general or in daylight, but in the dark. Would that be unadviseable? Would I be better off driving up the afternoon before and camping, specifically because of the roads (not because of a camping vs town preference)? Thanks in advance!
Need advice for San Juans
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dtron
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desertdog
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
I've taken my 4runner up those roads many times in the dark. You'll be fine.
The summit is a source of power. The long view gives one knowledge and time to prepare. The summit, by virtue of the dizzying exposure, leaves one vulnerable. A bit of confidence and a dash of humility is all we get for our work. Yet to share these moments with friends is to be human. C. Anker
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TomPierce
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
The main offroad weakness for a 4Runner is the factory skid plate. I destroyed mine the first week after I bought my 4Runner. Just watch for "shark fins" on the road and I agree, you should be fine.
-Tom
-Tom
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cnlevan
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
You will be fine with your 4Runner at all of these trailheads, even in the dark, just take it nice and slow on the tricky stuff and use good 4wd route finding.
Also, just know that it takes 1 hour to get to the Matterhorn Creek trailhead from LC, about 45 minutes-1 hour to get to upper Nellie Creek from LC, and over an hour to get to American Basin. It took me 1hour to get to American Basin TH from Mill Creek Campground and that is 25 minutes already outside of town in that direction.
Also, just know that it takes 1 hour to get to the Matterhorn Creek trailhead from LC, about 45 minutes-1 hour to get to upper Nellie Creek from LC, and over an hour to get to American Basin. It took me 1hour to get to American Basin TH from Mill Creek Campground and that is 25 minutes already outside of town in that direction.
Put yourself in the way of beauty. - Cheryl Strayed
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bosnian2014
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
How far can a person get in a passenger sedan when trying to get to Matterhorn Creek TH? There are no TH reports this year about this. Thanks.cnlevan wrote:You will be fine with your 4Runner at all of these trailheads, even in the dark, just take it nice and slow on the tricky stuff and use good 4wd route finding.
Also, just know that it takes 1 hour to get to the Matterhorn Creek trailhead from LC, about 45 minutes-1 hour to get to upper Nellie Creek from LC, and over an hour to get to American Basin. It took me 1hour to get to American Basin TH from Mill Creek Campground and that is 25 minutes already outside of town in that direction.
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myfeetrock
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
I took my outback all the way to the creek crossing at Handies. The creek was high so I parked just below it. I drove out in the dark just fine.
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TravelingMatt
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
From the turnoff at Capitol City the road is dicey for 2wd cars. But if you can make it to the start of Matterhorn Creek you can probably continue to a pullover area on the left a couple tenths of a mile up. The no-go area is a bit past that but it's not a place you want to try turning around or going back down in reverse (speak from experience).bosnian2014 wrote:How far can a person get in a passenger sedan when trying to get to Matterhorn Creek TH? There are no TH reports this year about this. Thanks.
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
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dtron
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
Thanks everyone for the replies and info. Its super helpful!
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bosnian2014
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
Thanks!TravelingMatt wrote:From the turnoff at Capitol City the road is dicey for 2wd cars. But if you can make it to the start of Matterhorn Creek you can probably continue to a pullover area on the left a couple tenths of a mile up. The no-go area is a bit past that but it's not a place you want to try turning around or going back down in reverse (speak from experience).bosnian2014 wrote:How far can a person get in a passenger sedan when trying to get to Matterhorn Creek TH? There are no TH reports this year about this. Thanks.
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davevanwicklin
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
Having just completed your planned trip this week, in an Outback, before sunrise, I agree that the roads are all doable, however, I did park 2 miles up Matterhorn Creek @ the 4WD road split and would recommend the same. Wetterhorn is sooooo worth it!
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dtron
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Re: Need advice for San Juans
I just wanted to thank everyone again for the advice. I ended up doing American Basin and Matterhorn Creek in some daylight and was really glad I did on Matterhorn Creek. It was pretty gnarly in spots and I was thankful to have the extra perspective provided by some daylight. Did Nellie Creek in the dark and did just fine. It was rough for sure, but I think Matterhorn Creek had me well-prepared for it.
