Shavano Road Clearance (CR 252)

[ECF55]

We may make it back one more time to Colorado next summer. If so, I'm considering Shavano/Tabeguache as a free day in the Sawatch.

With regard to the access road to the trailhead, it looks like CR/FR 252 is the preferred option. [CR 240 to the Colorado Trail adds four miles roundtrip and ~650ft to an already huge day.]

Would people assess that CR 252 is similar roughness to CR 390 from US24 to Winfield 2WD, or better/worse?

[BillMiddlebrook]

The 252 road to the standard Shav/Tabe trailhead is rougher than the 390 road and has a few sections that would challenge a low clearance 2wd. That's why it has a 2/6 rating instead of 1/6 (rating of the 390 road).

The driving directions on the trailhead page provide more information.

[ECF55]

Thanks, Bill. I only saw the 4/6 rating for "S. Winfield/Lake Ann Trailhead" on the Huron page, which I assumed was due to the last very rough stretch from Winfield to the Huron standard route 4WD trailhead. Thanks for the clarification.

[wmanke13]

Could anyone provide a rough comparison between 252, 250A, and the kite lake road? I’m concerned I won’t be able to make it to Shav/Tab trailhead this weekend due to ground clearance issues. I was able to make it up most of the kite lake road, but it did test my vehicle.

[josephnephi]

The BLM portion of the road is a little rough but a standard SUV crossover like a Subaru Forester (my car) made it just fine. If you’re really worried you can always start at the Shavano Campground at the cost of a little more distance and gain.

[Will_E]

I haven’t driven it this year, but in years past I’ve never had issue with 250 or 252 in my Honda Element, which is on the low side for ground clearance compared with most small crossovers (Forester, RAV4, etc)

[wmanke13]

Follow up: I wouldn’t take anything smaller than a crossover on that road (and certainly not a 2012 Audi A3 TDI ). I’m surprised a Honda Element has the capabilities.

[PJ88]

Has this road really gotten that bad? I was up there a few years ago and made it fine in a standard clearance sedan. I need to go back this summer to try Tabeguache but am second guessing myself now.

[Skimo95]

I was up there a couple of weeks ago and yeah the BLM section has gotten pretty ugly. I think a lot of people working near salida are living up there nowadays. That being said, I saw a sedan at the TH but personally wouldn’t drive anything low clearance. I have a terrible memory but if you can make it up the first rutted out hill, you should be okay.

[greenonion]

Has this road really gotten that bad? I was up there a few years ago and made it fine in a standard clearance sedan. I need to go back this summer to try Tabeguache but am second guessing myself now.

If you only need Tab, do you know about this other route?… https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=tabe3w

However, the road between the campground and the TH is somewhat rough, but there was only one tricky spot 2-3 years ago. A Subaru Forester made it up fine then. It’s the Jennings Creek route for Tab and careful caution needs to be given to which basin you would descend into on the return (see route description above). I enjoyed this route better than going up Shavano’s standard route.

[ballardwf04]

Has this road really gotten that bad? I was up there a few years ago and made it fine in a standard clearance sedan. I need to go back this summer to try Tabeguache but am second guessing myself now.

If you only need Tab, do you know about this other route?… https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=tabe3w

However, the road between the campground and the TH is somewhat rough, but there was only one tricky spot 2-3 years ago. A Subaru Forester made it up fine then. It’s the Jennings Creek route for Tab and careful caution needs to be given to which basin you would descend into on the return (see route description above). I enjoyed this route better than going up Shavano’s standard route.

This is an incredible route, and maybe my favorite non-standard approach that I’ve done. The basin is spectacular, the views are to die for, and you won’t see anyone.

That being said, the road to Jennings Creek TH (as of last August) is quite rough. There aren’t any drop offs, but lots of exposed rock and bumps. High clearance necessary. We took a 4runner and had zero problems, however, I probably wouldn’t take my Outback. The standard TH is a bit rough, but for your vehicle seems like the best bet. If you can manage to find a higher clearance car, I strongly recommend Jennings Creek.

[greenonion]

Has this road really gotten that bad? I was up there a few years ago and made it fine in a standard clearance sedan. I need to go back this summer to try Tabeguache but am second guessing myself now.

If you only need Tab, do you know about this other route?… https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=tabe3w

However, the road between the campground and the TH is somewhat rough, but there was only one tricky spot 2-3 years ago. A Subaru Forester made it up fine then. It’s the Jennings Creek route for Tab and careful caution needs to be given to which basin you would descend into on the return (see route description above). I enjoyed this route better than going up Shavano’s standard route.

This is an incredible route, and maybe my favorite non-standard approach that I’ve done. The basin is spectacular, the views are to die for, and you won’t see anyone.

That being said, the road to Jennings Creek TH (as of last August) is quite rough. There aren’t any drop offs, but lots of exposed rock and bumps. High clearance necessary. We took a 4runner and had zero problems, however, I probably wouldn’t take my Outback. The standard TH is a bit rough, but for your vehicle seems like the best bet. If you can manage to find a higher clearance car, I strongly recommend Jennings Creek.

Great follow up and more timely update on the road. Thanks!