Trail run this Saturday? Something up north. Perhaps Miller Rock

[Jim]

Temps look warm this weekend. I'm thinking of getting out.

What's still open up north (and not snowed in)? I'll bring chains.

Miller Rock maybe? If turned back we could hit Ironclads. Pickle Gulch?

[open_circuit]

If I'm not skiing, perhaps. There was a lot of snow along the front range last week. I expect everything you mentioned to have some sections that we have to work through.

[newracer]

Most of the trails do not close until Dec 1.

Kelly Flats should be mostly snow free by the weekend.

[Jim]

bump for Saturday being a nice day this weekend.

https://www.foreca.com/United_States/Colorado/Fort_Collins

[open_circuit]

Still thinking Miller Rock? Something else?

[Jim]

Not set for Miller or anything specific. Mostly "just up north". Maybe Rock Creek (easy trail in the trees that is not often visited). I was curious if Udi would jump in as we chatted about Miller Rock at a prior run. Pole Hill's an option. Generally I'm thinking Pickle at the south end to the state line. I'm not looking for snow bashing but am OK with a trail with snow that still allows forward progress.

Do you have any thoughts?

[open_circuit]

If concerned about snow, something like Switzerland trail would provide opportunities for easy to moderate challenge (if snow isn't an issue) by hooking in cliffhanger 2.0 and / or Pennsylvania Gulch. Pole Hill would likely be fine. I'm not familiar with Rock Creek at all (whereabouts is it?). Miller rock is a lot of fun, but I'm not sure I would get up or down the big obstacle if it is wet, muddy, or even slightly snowy.

Newracer thinks Kelly Flats would be clear and passable, so that's another fun possibility. HAH is a good challenge, but would become very difficult if wet/snowy as well.

I haven't given much thought to trails for this weekend, though -- this is all off the cuff. I was hoping the plan would form and I could just latch on. Instead, it sounds like it may just be the two of us if we go.

[Jim]

HAH is open to the sun / south-southeast facing. I'd _think_ it would be clear of snow. I've never taken the bypass there and it's on my low burn ToDo list. Switz's CliffHanger 2 is also on my list - never been.

Anyone else interested???

[open_circuit]

You also mentioned having not run Penn Gulch when we spoke about it recently. You'd probably enjoy that as well. However, it is heavily shaded, so it might hold snow. It's worth looking for some reason trail status reports on the usual sites before trying that spur.

[FINOCJ]

I am keeping an eye on this...not sure what my availability and jeep functionality will be - but sat would be the day for me, and I need to check with wife. I've started the jeep twice since we came back from Moab, but haven't even moved it out of the driveway. I am interested in Switzerland/penn Gulch/cliffhanger....but haven't really tossed my hat in so I wouldn't plan accordingly.

[open_circuit]

Saturday is my only option, as well. I also haven't run the Jeep since Moab, other than to wash it.

[FINOCJ]

other than to wash it.
the weather went bad before I could do that...and so it sits covered in red dust and with the top still off and the speedometer still broken....just as it was leaving moab

[Jim]

I'll make a decision and go with Cliffhanger / Switz / and snow depending Pensy Gulch.

Meet place and time - open for suggestion.

Either of you in? Who else as been sitting quietly in the corner?

[open_circuit]

Saturday morning is good for me -- 10 am? I suggest the north end entrance (Sawmill Rd & Left Hand canyon) if we're doing cliffhanger / penn gulch. If we find the trail run we did early in the spring this year, I have detailed directions to that trailhead. We ran this same route with about 10 rigs.

[Jim]

Lefthand Canyon / Sawmill Road intersection:
Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B003'21.8%22N+105%C2%B030'03.9%22W/@40.056058,-105.5016242,165m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d40.0 560573!4d-105.5010765)

There looks to be ample shoulder area to park & meet there

[open_circuit]

Lefthand Canyon / Sawmill Road intersection:
Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B003'21.8%22N+105%C2%B030'03.9%22W/@40.056058,-105.5016242,165m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d40.0 560573!4d-105.5010765)

There looks to be ample shoulder area to park & meet there

Yes, that works. The trailhead is up sawmill road a little ways and also has plenty of room to meet up.

https://goo.gl/maps/R4abGqQ7JLESsk2m9 -- the big circular dirt spot off the northern most dirt road heading north east. The southern dirt road is a private driveway.

[Jim]

We have a trail, meeting time and place, is anyone a yes?

If yes, I'll put it on the calendar...

[FINOCJ]

I cleaned the jeep, changed oil and diff fluid (after putting it headlight deep in muddy water on the rubicon - it should have been done sooner), intend to put the top on this afternoon while its warm...and yet I think I am out. I am pulling the speedo cluster to get the speedometer repaired, and than also means pulling the rest of the cluster which has some electrical connections, and I am not sure I want to deal with making that safe for driving. Additionally, the wife said I should work on our basement remodel project - she has finished most of the painting and cleaning, and I am supposed to put the flooring down....We'll see, I might be a last minute show-up, but will mark it on the calendar if I do decide to join....I'd really like to get out in the cj....have some sunday plans, but could probably squeeze some flooring work in as well....

[newracer]

I was sitting in the corner waiting to see what was decided. However I am now going to the Glenwood Springs area for the weekend.

[open_circuit]

I'm a yes.

[Jim]

I am pulling the speedo cluster to get the speedometer repaired

Stirr'n the pot... just pull the cable from the back of the speedo and use a GPS/MPH app on your phone while driving to/from the trail. Bring your kind wife - you can both enjoy a nice day in the warm sun - then on the cold, cloudy days knocking on the door, the basement can be wrapped up.

[Udi]

Not set for Miller or anything specific. Mostly "just up north". Maybe Rock Creek (easy trail in the trees that is not often visited). I was curious if Udi would jump in as we chatted about Miller Rock at a prior run. Pole Hill's an option. Generally I'm thinking Pickle at the south end to the state line. I'm not looking for snow bashing but am OK with a trail with snow that still allows forward progress.

Do you have any thoughts?
Sorry, I just saw this thread. I think it was wise to not go to Miller Rock, I wouldn't want to drive it with any snow on the trail. I loved that trail but it has long narrow sections that, if you slip off the trail, recovery would be challenging. I think Kelly Flats may still be doable, at least the initial sections on the southern-facing slopes.