Has Anyone Run Handcart Gulch?

[adkinsadam1]

I am planning on bringing my whole family on Handcart Gulch Trail in central Colorado a week from saturday. I read in a 4WD book that the trail typically doesn't open until mid-august but this seems a bit late to me and I don't buy it. Plus it's later than any other trail in CO. Plus Red Cone opens in July and that's practically the same trail. Has anyone run Handcart Gulch Trail this year, and if not, do you believe it will be open for the last ten days of July? Thanks! I will be running it in my 4runner stock!

 

[JB.]

do you believe it will be open for the last ten days of July?

Hopefully you'll get someone whose been there recently, but Handcart does retain snow longer than Red Cone. Given the heavy snow year, you may well not get up the switchbacks or across Webster Pass. I don't know if the road gets physically gated or not but you can approach from the Hwy 285 side and see how far you get.

I'd suggest tracking down the number of the Pike-San Isabel or White River National Forest district and give one of them a call.

 

[adkinsadam1]

My thinking is that it's been so hot this year that any leftover snow should have melted by then. But thanks, I'll give them a call. If anyone knows for sure let me know!

 

[adkinsadam1]

Hey also, on the switchbacks up Handcart Gulch from the south side the road washed out last year. Are there any updates on that?

 

[CSL]

See my post in your other thread.

 

[adkinsadam1]

I guess a better question would be - Is it safer to do the decent from Red Cone or go by this washout area?