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Hi all,

I couldn't find any recent updates (forum posts or condition reports) that went into detail about the condition of Antero's road and was wondering if anyone had been up there recently and could give some insight into it? My dad and I are thinking about doing Antero in the next few days since we are in the Salida area, but would like to avoid hiking all 15 miles if possible since we have already done 4 14ers in the past week and both feel a little beat (but optimistic!).
For reference we have a subaru outback with no modifications (8.7 in of clearance) and made it to the TH on Princeton's road fairly easily this morning. I've read that Antero's road is considerably worse however. Do we have any chance of making it up there? We'll probably park around 12,000 assuming we can make it that far since we like to gain at minimum 2,000 ft elevation.

A Subaru might be able to make it to the stream crossing but no way above that. The problem isn't clearance it's the lack of 4WD Low gearing in a Subaru. Even the lower section might cause some problems in a Subaru because without 4WD Low you could burn up your clutch. I have know from experience when I had a Subaru Forester on other 4WD roads.

randalmartin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:29 pm A Subaru might be able to make it to the stream crossing but no way above that. The problem isn't clearance it's the lack of 4WD Low gearing in a Subaru. Even the lower section might cause some problems in a Subaru because without 4WD Low you could burn up your clutch. I have know from experience when I had a Subaru Forester on other 4WD roads.

I was up there a few weeks ago with a 4-Runner to climb Cronin and parked at 11k after the creek crossing. I wouldn't recommend it in your Subaru.

https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailhea ... hparm=sw12

Baldwin Gulch is rated Difficulty 4 / 6. I also have a Subaru with 8.7" of clearance, AT tires, and like to push its limits getting to 4wd THs... but I will not take it on any road rated above 3 / 6. Baldwin Gulch is no joke from the very start of the road.

I would not drive a Subaru up Baldwin Gulch unless it's a car you really don't care about.

Can't comment on the road, but it's not one I would attempt with our Outback. I can say, though, that Little Browns Creek is roughly the same mileage, and if you are going to end up booting up the whole 15 miles, you might as well go from that side. It's a beautiful trail flush with waterfalls and wildflowers, the elevation gain is gradual and pretty gentle, and it is nice and quiet. Antero gets a bad rap, but that was one of my favorite days in the Sawatch. Just kind of a rude awakening when you hit 12.8k-ish and are greeted by jeeps and side-by-sides.

Ok, thank you all for the quick feedback! We'll probably skip it for now and come back to it another time when we feel like doing a 15 mile day, I'll look into little browns creek as well, sound pleasent!
Thanks eskermo for the link, I totally forgot to check the trailhead section of this site .

Benito_Esposti wrote: ↑Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:48 pm Ok, thank you all for the quick feedback! We'll probably skip it for now and come back to it another time when we feel like doing a 15 mile day, I'll look into little browns creek as well, sound pleasent!
Thanks eskermo for the link, I totally forgot to check the trailhead section of this site .

LB creek is a MUCH better option. I've done both ways. That road is a miserable s**t show to walk and a very rough drive. I wouldn't take a Subaru up there. Need hugh clearance, manual / 4wd low, and maybe a skid plate.