5/29/2026 Posted On: 5/31/2026 By: mtn14 Info: Road was dry / snow-free. Could have made it all the way to the upper trailhead in the stock Outback, except for the gnarly spot apx quarter mile from the upper lot: needed higher clearance and 4WL to crawl through the craters, or time build up one or two of those pot holes. Also note: if unable to make it past the craters, there isn't a ton of room to turn around, especially if others have already parked along the shoulder; could be a bit of a challenge backing down to an available pull-out - winter lot is apx 2 miles from the trailhead proper. | ||||
9/29/2025 Posted On: 9/29/2025 By: maylemay1 Info: The noted dip pretty close to the TH was no problem at all for me in my lifted 4runner. Never took it out of 2wd. I imagine it would be fine with good line choice in a subaru or similar, but something lower would be dicey. The rest of the road is in great shape. | ||||
9/4/2025 Posted On: 9/4/2025 By: cyrrus Info: Dip is very manageable. Was in 4runner in 4wd hi, could have done it in 2wd. Jeep compass ahead of me struggled but appeared to be driver error. | ||||
9/3/2025 Posted On: 9/3/2025 By: mwoltz Info: Approximately .3 mile from the TH there is a SEVERE dip/gully that is unmanageable for many vehicles (including my lifted ford transit campervan) - had to bust a 20-point turn to turn around and camp down at the winter th. The road up to that point is pretty mellow. | ||||
8/19/2025 Posted On: 8/20/2025 By: wwdonaldson Info: Great Trailhead. Smooth gravel all the way to about 1 mile from trailhead where there’s one somewhat noteable dip in the gravel which might be hard to get through in a low sedan. Otherwise everything else with normal or higher clearance will make it. Plenty of dispersed camp sites | ||||
8/11/2025 Posted On: 8/11/2025 By: notidealbutfine Info: Made it in my 03 Honda Element (7.1'' clearance). I wouldn't do it in a 2WD or lower clearance vehicle as there are a few big ruts just below the TH. Plenty of similar AWD vehicles at the parking lot. | ||||
7/25/2025 Posted On: 7/28/2025 By: madmattd Info: Same condition as recent reports - smooth sailing most of the way, one largish set of ruts shortly before the TH that aren't too big an issue if you pick your line right - clearance helps but isn't required for a good driver. I had no issues with AWD and ~8.5" of clearance, and with care it could be done with less clearance and if dry 2WD should be fine. No bug issues at the TH. Lot was very busy all weekend with the stable weather forecast. | 1 |
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7/15/2025 Posted On: 7/15/2025 By: Omatt89 Info: A little tricky 2wd right now. A tiny rut at the top but not much. There's a bunch of whoops most are really easy and a pothole over a whoop close to the trailhead. I have a truck but I saw a Prius at the top. I saw two cars parked a little bit from the trailhead where the road hits the last little steep whoop section. They were out of the way barely. I could see the road being trouble if you go after s big rain, it's very loose dirt. Also, unreal camping at the trailhead with a sick view of cap | 1 |
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7/6/2025 Posted On: 7/13/2025 By: Caitlin123 Info: There are a couple of larger ruts as you get closer to the trailhead, and one largish one about 0.1 - 0.2 miles before the trailhead. The ground was wet when we drove up, so can't comment on loose dirt. There were multiple subarus in the parking lot and at least one sedan up there too (kudos to the driver!). Worth taking bug spray if you're going to spend the night at the trailhead. | ||||
7/4/2025 Posted On: 7/5/2025 By: cjcoleman1202 Info: Little rough towards the top of the road. Made it up in a VW Jetta, don’t need awd/4wd at the moment. | ||||
10/7/2024 Posted On: 10/7/2024 By: ajtrezco Info: Crux is completely gone. Road was regraded over the course of 3 days last week; though the dirt is much looser than it used to be and thus ruts are being made pretty quickly. I imagine that as time goes on, it'll pack down and settle though. It's currently doable with decent clearance (maybe 5-6+ in ?) and momentum; no technical driving required, though the clearance is necessary to avoid high centering as the ruts are being created. | 1 |
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9/30/2024 Posted On: 9/30/2024 By: TakeMeToYourSummit Info: Received this information today - thought it would be good for some to know: "This is a notification from PitkinAlert: PitkinAlert Traffic: From 09/30-10/03 Capitol Creek Road will be closed to traffic at mm 8 (8000). Closure will be daily from 6 am till 4 pm. 09-30-2024 13:43:47 D12 Mile Marker Map https://pitkin911.maps.arcgis.com/sharing/rest/content/items/546d1ea3081c48d19bb5327eb0b2f3fd/data Mile Marker Table https://pitkin911.maps.arcgis.com/sharing/rest/content/items/1cbf6cdb881d424cb92d006edfbf74f2/data " | ||||
9/30/2024 Posted On: 9/30/2024 By: ryans Info: No problem getting over the crux in a Lincoln MKC (AWD) (never bottomed out). The dirt is loose but as long as you don't lose momentum, it should not be an issue. No problem on the way down as well. If it wasn't for the crux, I don't believe the road would be classified as a 4wd road. Many Subarus and other AWD vehicles at the trailhead. | ||||
9/21/2024 Posted On: 9/21/2024 By: hanada Info: Here to repeat what others have said about the crux just before the trailhead. Someone has put a log and a couple good rocks in it which helps and it doest require major clearance to get over. The problem is that it's at the top of a steep section with lose dirt, so getting the traction needed to get over it is difficult. I made it over in xterra after a few tries, but really had to gun it to make it happen. I had no issues getting down this section, just had to pick the correct line. Besides that there's nothing challenging on this road if you decent clearance on your vehicle. | 2 |
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9/7/2024 Posted On: 9/7/2024 By: sehessler92 Info: Saw Subarus, trucks, jeeps, 4Runners and even an older ford focus at the trailhead. Not sure how the ford made it up as there is definitely a rougher spot about 0.2 miles before the upper TH that an adventure van bottomed out on and had trouble getting out of. Theres a couple pull out spots before the crux of the road but they are definitely for not as wide vehicles |
