| Status Update |
|---|
|
I thought I would add a little more information about the Rockdale trailhead and the road up Lake Fork Creek Canyon to Cloyses Lake and Missouri Mountain (West Ridge route). The water crossing is not bad at this time of year. Maybe about 8 inches deep at its maximum. It is very doable in any SUV. I can certainly understand that in the Spring and early Summer with higher water in can be risky. The first water crossing is rather lengthy (100 feet ?) There is no good way to cross this on foot. I explored the area and there is no bridge or logs or stones to cross this water. You are going to get wet unless you barefoot it or cover your shoes and lower legs with plastic bags. There are a few parking/camping areas between the first and second water crossing. This is where I parked. It gets you across the first water crossing without getting wet. The second water crossing has stones that you can step across to avoid getting wet at this time of year. The road itself is not too bad. I decided not to drive it as not much information was given about it. So, I hiked it instead. But now having seen the whole road I have determined that I could have driven it in my 4wd Ford Ranger. The worst part of this road is coming out of the second water crossing - it is tough. After that though the rocky road climbs and winds its way up through the forest. After about a 1/4 of a mile it starts leveling out and becomes a less rocky road. The last 2 miles of the road are not bad for a 4wd road. I saw other pickups and jeeps (all high clearance) up the road. If you can exit out of the water on to the road you should be fine. With that said, I do not regret hiking the road as it is a beautiful hike through the forest with aspen groves turning color in the fall. |
| Comments or Questions |
|---|
|
|
