6/6/2026 Posted On: 6/7/2026 By: ryansappleid Info: 2wd high clearance is accurate. I made it fine in a Honda Accord (5.3”) but scraped a few times when I wasn’t paying attention. | ||||
5/31/2026 Posted On: 5/31/2026 By: rsuminsby Info: Road is dry to the TH, but very rough in spots. Subaruable for sure, but if you have a friend with 4WD, ask them to drive. Vault toilet is open but was running very low on toilet paper....bring a roll just in case. | ||||
3/20/2026 Posted On: 3/20/2026 By: gregpeak Info: The road is clear all the way to the trailhead. | 1 |
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2/28/2026 Posted On: 3/2/2026 By: Jonathan Deffenbaugh Info: No snow driving to the trailhead, still able to access, however road was rougher than usual in some sections, with having to deal some mud trenches caused by vehicles and one hill that was borderline 4WD terrain. AWD recommended with decent clearance at least. | 2 |
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1/16/2026 Posted On: 1/18/2026 By: globreal Info: Drove all the way to summer TH on Friday, 16JAN2026! Same conditions as the_hare posted on 13JAN2026. | 2 |
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1/13/2026 Posted On: 1/13/2026 By: the_hare Info: Road clear to the TH still, no major snow accumulation affecting travel. The switchback on 252 is still clear, the snowdrift only covers the edge of the road and there's not even any ice at its base. It seems like the well-above average temps are hindering the drift from fully forming. Rutted-out area is more like large wavy washed-out bumps, hugging right side going up the road avoids it for the most part. | ||||
12/31/2025 Posted On: 12/31/2025 By: madmattd Info: Still accessible. Thin snow and ice starts around the switchback mentioned in the last report, it's still passable with a little care. Melting occurred during the day, which made the drive out a little slick above said switchback due to melting snow and mud, but easy enough to negotiate. I'd suggest crossover or better clearance for the obstacle down low mentioned in reports all summer, I made it fine with 8.2" clearance and careful line choice, but it is a pretty nasty set of ruts. Otherwise the road is just littered with small rocks to jostle you around, annoying but not a big deal. | 3 |
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12/23/2025 Posted On: 12/23/2025 By: GeorgeB Info: TH still accessible with stock 4WD vehicle. One more good snow might close the FS252 switchback at 9k' that's prone to drifting. | 1 |
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11/21/2025 Posted On: 11/21/2025 By: communityhalibut Info: Road in totally decent shape, some puddles here and there but nothing deep. After the first section mentioned below no issues; drove straight through that with a proper 4x4. | ||||
10/17/2025 Posted On: 10/18/2025 By: dquinn Info: Road was dry all the way except for a few minor puddles in the last mile or so. At the crux described below, found a line on the far left going up (thankfully no oncoming drivers), right going down. Took it slow and had no trouble in my Honda Pilot (about 7.5" clearance). | ||||
9/16/2025 Posted On: 9/16/2025 By: ttroy14 Info: Hiked 9/10 - road is largely still good. There is one section within the first mile of the road that requires careful line choice. Easy in 4wd medium or better clearance. Not impossible with 2wd, but risky for sure. Someone submitted a photo a couple posts down, situation looks exactly the same. After that smooth sailing as much as any dirt road can be | ||||
9/15/2025 Posted On: 9/17/2025 By: kmcmillan3 Info: Turned around in my Honda Crosstour (2WD version) at the aforementioned rutted area. It's pretty gnarly. Definitely requires high clearance. 4WD would certainly help but isn't a necessity. My Crosstour has about 7-8" ground clearance, and I could definitely feel it scraping a little. It likely could've made it up that rutted incline, but the risk of significantly damaging its underside was a little too high for comfort. | ||||
8/20/2025 Posted On: 8/21/2025 By: MountainHiker Info: Most of the road could be rated strudy 2WD. BUT a warning is needed for the previously mentioned hill. Clearance, sturdy tires, 4WD, low range or great low end torque are all recommended. There are big holes to be carefully straddled. Not a big deal in my Jeep. Would be less forgiving for most cars. | ||||
7/31/2025 Posted On: 8/1/2025 By: NOVABuck45 Info: All in all, a rating of 2 out of 6 seems accurate.....mostly a bumpy dirt road with a few rocks here and there best to be avoided without high clearance. But holy smokes, that rut about a mile after CR 250's pavement runs out is no joke and absolutely requires high clearance. I didn't need 4WD to get through it, but high clearance is an absolute must. I found that staying to the far right (head to the trailhead, and staying far left when returning) is the best line. You risk scraping your vehicle on the trees, but it's the best way through. I knew there were a few trouble spots on the road, but I was not expecting that one. Once past that rut, however, it's easy peasy to the trail head. | 1 |
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7/20/2025 Posted On: 7/21/2025 By: dantheman0809 Info: There is one section of the road that is quite rutted out and requires some clearance or a good line. You will know it when you see it. It's in the Shavano Campground area, roughly 5 miles from the trailhead. If you can get past that obstacle, then the rest of the road is in pretty good shape. There's another one about 2 miles from the trailhead that is also rutted but is slightly easier than the aforementioned. Very doable for a subie / rav4. I think you could do it in a 2wd but it would be sketchy. | 3 |
