6/12/2022 Posted On: 6/13/2022 By: Crestoner Info: If you can cross Castle Creek, you'll be able to make it to the small parking area at the Pearl Pass Road intersection ~11,100 ft. Late in the afternoon, the creek is fast and turbid at the crossing...difficult to assess depth and any underwater obstacles. At 0400, flow is diminished, and water is relatively clear. We saw 2 Forerunners, 1 Tacoma, and 1 "rockcrawler" that had no problems crossing the creek. There still are several patches of snow in the road, past the creek, but these are no problem...especially after that big-tired rockcrawler blew through them. The skeeters are out in the campsites... | ||||
6/4/2022 Posted On: 6/6/2022 By: swesleyc7 Info: Drove to campsites 8 & 9 in a 2010 4WD Rav4 with no issues. The 4WD road is entirely clear of snow until the river crossing. The river crossing wasn't deep in the morning with levels barely reaching an axle height, but snowmelt is increasing daily. If brave enough, you could cross the river and drive exactly 1-mi past campsites 8 & 9 until a large snow obstruction will finally stop you. Doing so will take off 4-mi RT from the 2WD trailhead route, however camping is only in designated areas (site 9 being the last). | ||||
5/29/2022 Posted On: 5/29/2022 By: swilson753 Info: Made it to campsite 7 in a 2wd Hyundai Tucson with 6.8" of clearance. After walking the road, I found that I could have made it to the creek ifI'd wanted. If you can get past a bad section just past campsite 3, you can get to the creek crossing. Creek crossing is another matter entirely. I only saw one F150 on the other side. There's a snow drift at 10.4k that will block any vehicles from driving higher, but it's melting fast. Still lots of snow as you go higher. | 1 |
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5/17/2022 Posted On: 5/18/2022 By: Ericsheffey Info: Clear to creek crossing. Creek crossing can be crossed in high clearance 4x4. Took my Jeep JL across it, and there was a 4Runner parked just beyond it as well. About 200 yards past the creek there is an impassable snow patch. Consistent snow on road starting around 10,400 and some downed trees that will be blocking the road once it thaws. | 1 |
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5/6/2022 Posted On: 5/6/2022 By: Skimo95 Info: Gates open, get after it | 5 |
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11/29/2021 Posted On: 11/29/2021 By: Eagle Eye Info: The Pitkin County road closure of Castle Creek Road was on Tuesday, Nov 23rd. The gate is now closed for the season, near ghost town Ashcroft. | ||||
11/6/2021 Posted On: 11/7/2021 By: RyGuy Info: I was able to take my stock 2017Jeep Wrangler to roughly 10,800. (39.00479, -106.83519) JUST below the little bridge/waterfall, right below the Pearl Pass junction. There is quite a bit of snow on the road the final mile before that with occasional ice patches below the snow. Then it's mostly just mud and a bit of ice below the creek crossing. I suspect the next storm will make the section of road above the creek crossing impassible to vehicles. | 3 |
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10/31/2021 Posted On: 11/1/2021 By: pbarn Info: Road still open all the way as of 10/31/21. Some snow on the road up to the Pearl Pass junction, but it is packed down by traffic and doesnt present much issue. After the junction there are some icier spots which would require more careful driving because of the potential to slide off the road. Someone has driven up to about 12k feet, so its entirely still possible to get that far, as snow on the road isnt particularly deep. This will all change with another storm. Overall, not particularly difficult as far as 4wd trails go. | 4 |
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9/24/2021 Posted On: 9/26/2021 By: berko89 Info: Drove up to 12,150' in a stock 2017 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with BFG KO2 tires. Parked at this switchback (39.015783, -106.843325) where there was room for 2-3 cars total. More room and better parking at the 12,550' switchback (39.018841, -106.848112) but you have to drive further up the rough road (I was over it by 12,150'). There were several "obstacles" along the road where we stopped and scoped out the best line but nothing crazy or dangerous imho. By using my buddy as a spotter to help with line selection and taking it slow I was able to drive up without scraping. The road is definitely rougher and rockier above the pearl pass junction but didn't encounter any obstacles above the junction that were more difficult than what we saw on the way up to the junction. I would say I am an intermediate off road driver who is cautious about bashing my vehicle. | ||||
8/21/2021 Posted On: 8/25/2021 By: HPIvelocity97 Info: Got in late Fri (8/20) night and all 1-9 designated spots were occupied. Drove through creek crossing @1.3 mile beyond 2WD trailhead and camped a bit further up. 8/21 drove to ~3mi/11,200' where there is plenty of good parking. Smooth sailing up to this point in a Silverado Trail Boss. In hindsight, could've went above ~11,200 but took advantage of ample space to park at this point. For those who do go further there are a number of decent camping spots and pullouts. | ||||
7/19/2021 Posted On: 7/20/2021 By: jeffh7 Info: Made it up to 12,800 with a 2008 jeep Rubicon with 33 inch tires but otherwise stock. Stay in 4 lo the entire way and take it slow and you should be fine. The exposure is definitely apparent on this road in some sections. | ||||
7/17/2021 Posted On: 7/19/2021 By: Msbaker Info: I made it about a mile up the 4WD road in my stock Mazda CX-5 which has about 8 inch clearance. The road is definitely difficult and requires some finesse. Almost all of the cars that made it past the creek (which is about 1.3 miles up the road) or further were 4 runners, tacomas, or rubicons. | ||||
7/9/2021 Posted On: 7/11/2021 By: hikerjess Info: First of all, make sure you have plenty of gas to get in and out, and then some if you plan on going up all the way up. The road is free of snow all the way up to 12,800 ft. Biggest water crossing is tame and wasn't more than 8 inches deep, but the drop in and out is pretty steep so I wouldn't recommend anyone with low clearance to attempt it. Same goes for beyond this crossing, the road gets worse as you go higher. Got all the way up to about 12,500ft in my TRD off-road 4Runner with KO2s with only one spot that was questionable. Probably could have made it all the way though. Lots of ruts, exposed, and loose rocks. I would only attempt this if you are pretty comfortable with 4x4 roads and quite a bit of exposure during the last 1.5 miles. On the way down, try not to ride your brakes, keep it in 4-Lo, and pick your line carefully. Camped at 12,500 and it was beautiful! Cut a good amount of time off our day, too! | ||||
6/29/2021 Posted On: 6/29/2021 By: tefensmom Info: Snow free all the way to 12,800! If youve got the the clearance and 4x4 for this go get it! | ||||
6/17/2021 Posted On: 6/17/2021 By: Flyingfish Info: Made it to just shy of 11,400 to where there is a very large snow field that blocks a substantial length of road at the highest stream crossing. Snow is melting quickly. |
