Culebra Road Beta

[Ptglhs]

Has anyone been up Culebra this weekend? I'd love an updated conditions report both for that Peak, red, as well as how far up you are able to drive on the road. I'm going for it on the 21st, renting a Jeep, and hoping the weather doesn't turn me around.

[tyballa2]

I’m interested too. I’m going for both peaks on the 22nd.

[aksean22]

I was up there last weekend and the road is dry and in good condition up to the Four Way, where they asked us to stop/roped off the road. Snow patches started about a half mile further up. Skis or snowshoes were needed to go directly up the northwest slopes to the ridge, but I doubt that's still the case. Another group went climbers left to the ridge and it was nearly dry the whole way up. Once on the ridge and past the large cairn there were only a few small snow patches to the summit. The ridge to Red is bone dry. Have fun!

[tyballa2]

Thanks for the info! They still allow you to camp at the gate right?

[aksean22]

Thanks for the info! They still allow you to camp at the gate right?

Yep! There's a place for tents right inside of the gate, or car camping outside.

[nunns]

Thanks for the info! They still allow you to camp at the gate right?

OK, so to be sure I am understanding this correctly:

1. Make a reservation for a certain day.
2. Park at the gate and camp there overnight.
3. Drive 2 miles on 2 WD dirt road to ranch headquarters.
4. Park here and hike to the summit, or drive about 2.5 more miles on 4WD road, then hike to the summit.
Is this correct? I still have a year or 2 before I am ready to pony up cash in order to climb a mountain, but I want to be sure I understand.

Sean Nunn

[HikerGuy]

OK, so to be sure I am understanding this correctly:

1. Make a reservation for a certain day.
2. Park at the gate and camp there overnight.
3. Drive 2 miles on 2 WD dirt road to ranch headquarters.
4. Park here and hike to the summit, or drive about 2.5 more miles on 4WD road, then hike to the summit.
Is this correct? I still have a year or 2 before I am ready to pony up cash in order to climb a mountain, but I want to be sure I understand.

Sean Nunn

That is correct. Once at ranch headquarters, they will ask that you ride share up to the four way (park here for 3,000'+) or 4wd trailhead.

[nunns]

OK, so to be sure I am understanding this correctly:

1. Make a reservation for a certain day.
2. Park at the gate and camp there overnight.
3. Drive 2 miles on 2 WD dirt road to ranch headquarters.
4. Park here and hike to the summit, or drive about 2.5 more miles on 4WD road, then hike to the summit.
Is this correct? I still have a year or 2 before I am ready to pony up cash in order to climb a mountain, but I want to be sure I understand.

Sean Nunn

That is correct. Once at ranch headquarters, they will ask that you ride share up to the four way (park here for 3,000'+) or 4wd trailhead.

OK, great. What is the road typically like to Four Way? Is it really easy 4WD, or is it "real" 4WD? I understand it may be different this year due to the mega-winter. I am thinking more about what it is like in a "typical" year.

Sean Nunn

[yaktoleft13]

OK, great. What is the road typically like to Four Way? Is it really easy 4WD, or is it "real" 4WD? I understand it may be different this year due to the mega-winter. I am thinking more about what it is like in a "typical" year.

Sean Nunn

Easy 4wd. Calling it 4wd is a stretch. The hardest part is pulling into the 4wd parking area.

[randalmartin]

Yeah, not really a 4wd drive at all. There is one section that is a little steep but still not what I would call 4wd.

[nunns]

Yeah, not really a 4wd drive at all. There is one section that is a little steep but still not what I would call 4wd.

Awesome news. I was hoping to do Culebra and Red both, but that would be a long day from the entrance to the ranch.

Sean Nunn

[douglas]

Just read spaceman_mort's condition report. I'm going this Friday and wondering about snowshoes. I would think they now wouldn't be necessary but see he skinned up some. Any thoughts?