Trailheads with easier access in the winter

[Butthole]

Any advice on trailheads with relatively easier access in the winter? I have the worst car for the winter, so I have to pick my spots carefully. Yeah, the occasional tow and shoveling happens…. But it’s worth it. Many thanks!

[nsaladin]

Any advice on trailheads with relatively easier access in the winter? I have the worst car for the winter, so I have to pick my spots carefully. Yeah, the occasional tow and shoveling happens…. But it’s worth it. Many thanks!

Yale, Quandary, Bierstadt, Longs, La Plata, Antero are all on paved roads that are plowed by the state or county. Outside of those you’re gonna be on a dirt road that may or may not have winter maintenance. Might be a few others I’m not thinking of. Longs is obviously the most dangerous of them, and isn’t one to try for a while after do many other winter climbs.

[Butthole]

Thanks!

[CaptainSuburbia]

Elbert's east ridge and Massive from the fish hatchery have 2wd lots. Sunshines east ridge is also 2wd accessible.

[greenonion]

Hey Butthole

GREAT username

[Butthole]

Elbert's east ridge and Massive from the fish hatchery have 2wd lots. Sunshines east ridge is also 2wd accessible.

Thanks!

[Butthole]

Hey Butthole

GREAT username

Hahaha thanks!!

[Marmot72]

Not sure if you only mean 14er trailheads or 13ers too. Adding to what’s been said of Sawatch, Willis Gulch is right off the paved road, with a campground that i expect us closed but not patrolled.

Willow lake TH, being quite low, is often accessible. Same goes for Zapata, but those washboards might rattle something loose from your username. On the east side of the Sangres, the rainbow trail/horn peak access is often dry as well.

From Lake City, county rd 30 is plowed to the cataract gulch TH for Half Peak.

Then there are many places where the summer trailhead is not accessible but the walk to it is not too bad. For example, Yankee Boy typically, because the lower road is paved for the mine, or the Long Lake trailhead for various Indian peaks.

[Butthole]

Thanks! Yeah, any of them! Really appreciate it. You guys are the best.

[RhodoRose]

Also Pikes east side (Barr Trail).

[Jim Davies]

The Denny Creek trailhead for Yale is usually accessible. The various trailhead descriptions on this site usually mention winter accessibility. Trailhead condition reports are really useful for planning, too. https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailheadsmain.php

[Butthole]

The Denny Creek trailhead for Yale is usually accessible. The various trailhead descriptions on this site usually mention winter accessibility. Trailhead condition reports are really useful for planning, too. https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailheadsmain.php

Whoa! Thanks!