Halfmoon/Champion Mill

[coolerthanafan]

Hello all

I am going camping/hiking at Mt Elbert this weekend and I would like to drive up Half Moon (FS 110) to Champion Mill. My 99 is completely stock with 265/70/16 AT2 Grabbers.
If I stay on the trail for Champion Mill, will my rig make it through the water crossings and the rest of the trail?
I've read that a stock 4x4 can do it.
Thanks for the help.

New guy who just moved to Denver.

 

[CO_Fletch]

Hello all

I am going camping/hiking at Mt Elbert this weekend and I would like to drive up Half Moon (FS 110) to Champion Mill. My 99 is completely stock with 265/70/16 AT2 Grabbers.
If I stay on the trail for Champion Mill, will my rig make it through the water crossings and the rest of the trail?
I've read that a stock 4x4 can do it.
Thanks for the help.

New guy who just moved to Denver.

Traildamage.com lists it as a 4/5 rating which is at the upper limit for stock. I haven't been up there but I would give it a try and you can always turn around. There are pictures and videos on Traildamage that can help you gauge as well. Looks like a stock Grand Cherokee did it several years ago so it should be no problem for you [emoji3]

 

[coolerthanafan]

CO_Fletch Thanks for the info .. My biggest concern is the water crossings but I have seen a few stock vehicles make it but I know CO has had a lot of rain the past month .. Thanks again

 

[CO_Fletch]

CO_Fletch Thanks for the info .. My biggest concern is the water crossings but I have seen a few stock vehicles make it but I know CO has had a lot of rain the past month .. Thanks again

I hear you, water is always a little spooky. Another resource is bushducks.com they have posts from users about Colorado trail conditions, nothing recent for half moon creek though. If you go up there, post a report.

 

[coolerthanafan]

I checked out bushducks.com .. "6/21/15 - Partial. North branch open to gate before Champion Mill. Deep water crossing just past last Mt Massive trailhead (1st main water crossing). only took the north branch to Champion Mill. gate was still closed, but trail to that point was open"

Just says deep water crossing so I'm still left a bit unsure. However, I will post here and on bushducks about our experience. I'm pretty excited as the only off road I have done is Geneva Creek.
I was hoping someone who has been up there recently would comment too. Regardless, I'm gonna head up Friday!

 

[coolerthanafan]

Not sure how accurate 4x4explore.com is but it says Halfmoon/Champion Mill is a 2 on level of difficulty. I see that traildamage.com says 4/5 ... I guess I'm gonna find out ��

 

[coolerthanafan]

I'll post at bushbucks.com also but wanted to here as well. Champion Mill was awesome!
The water was between 18 and 20 inches so we were able to get through with no problems. Made it all the way to the mill and tried to make it to the mine but there was too much snow blocking the trail for me to feel comfortable.
Thanks CO_Fletch for the info!

 

[CO_Fletch]

I'll post at bushbucks.com also but wanted to here as well. Champion Mill was awesome!
The water was between 18 and 20 inches so we were able to get through with no problems. Made it all the way to the mill and tried to make it to the mine but there was too much snow blocking the trail for me to feel comfortable.
Thanks CO_Fletch for the info!

Cool! Sounds like fun. Thanks for the info. Definitely one on my to do list.

 

[coolerthanafan]

Heres a few pics of Champion Mill and our Mt Elbert hike: https://goo.gl/photos/cmF81R4QK3UNCzze6

 

[OU4x4]

it's time for trail damage to update some of their trail info.
all the water this year has had a big impact on some trails.
a group of beefy 4runners couldn't get up Grizzly Lake and it's listed as a 6
the first obstacle isn't passable unless you're on 37s or larger.