Miller Rock Sunday attempt ;)

[RockyMtRebel]

With the lack of snow I’m hoping to run Miller Rock this coming Sunday. I’m not thinking about the main obstacle, that may or may not be snowy and icy but just getting up the switchbacking trail to the main area will be a challenge since it’s a pretty challenging and narrow trail and snow will make it much harder.
This is not for beginners so unless you have 35’s or larger and a winch and gear, I would not suggest tagging along! That said, who’s interested in attempting this on Sunday ;)

[JAB]

if it wasn't so dang far from Evergreen, I'm considering...

[RockyMtRebel]

Double post

[RockyMtRebel]

if it wasn't so dang far from Evergreen, I'm considering...

I hear ya.... it’s sooooo close to me ;)

I just drove near the trailhead and the snow is definitely looking weak. I’m sure there are a few deep drifts up the road a bit and it’s possible the steep switchbacks are icy...... but I definitely wanna give it a try!

Heres the map zoomed up to the trail. The green trail is the main route to the difficult obstacle, river crossing and up the other side for a few miles. The section from the main intersection to Miller rock is a BLAST and not as sketchy as the main obstacle. Even the left turn spur (Headache) is pretty awesome and would probably be mostly snow free since it runs atop the ridge for miles

[Jim]

The worst snow I encountered on Miller (which we spent a couple hours shoveling) was here:
Google Map (https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'18.8%22N+105%C2%B026'53.3%22W/@40.155208,-105.4486915,168m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d40.1 552071!4d-105.4481431)

https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'18.8%22N+105%C2%B026'53.3%22W/@40.155208,-105.4486915,168m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d40.1 552071!4d-105.4481431

The valley/turn just before the snow area had decent parking for multiple vehicles to turn around if we didn't make it through the snow.

Trip pix here (March 31, 2012)
www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2012-03-31--trail--miller-rock/ (http://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2012-03-31--trail--miller-rock/index.html)

I'm a quite low odds of joining - but I'm not saying no.

[RockyMtRebel]

Here was the last time I ran Miller rock in the winter, 2 years ago. There is much less snow now than there was then so I think we can make it to the intersection and beyond!


https://youtu.be/QMrNFdoHccc

[RockyMtRebel]

Jim, this is from that trip you posted about right?


https://youtu.be/NVqXeiQBGQY

[Jim]

Certainly looks like it.

I recall "lots-o-shovels" and yellow safety strapping from the high side.

[Jim]

Did you go? Snow?

[RockyMtRebel]

Yes, just me and one other.... total bust, only got about half way to the first switchback before tracks ended in deep, hard snow. Looks like the early snowfall kept everyone out and no-one tried to bash thru..... if JP was able to come with us and bash thru with those 40" tires we could have gone much further but that cement-like snow wasn't letting me get thru on measly 35's.

[RockyMtRebel]

So we ended up doing the far northern part of Switzerland trail..... had fun and able to climb that hill but after the hill I was driving atop hard snow that hasn’t been driven on for months and I wasn’t even to the shady part yet so we turned back and came back out after winching my buddy up thru deep snow. We then took Switzerland trail from Gold hill south to 4 Mile canyon where I started up Pennsylvania gulch. There were tracks and my Jeep kept going up although it was very icy. My friend wasn’t making it so I turned around and some ATVs flew up the road as I went back down and then ascended the southern section up Sugarloaf mountain to the parking area and then went west. It was same packed snow I drove last weekend but I stayed straight west to exit onto Hwy 72. There are a few stretches of deep rutted snow and ice that caused me to bottom out a few times. That knocked my air locker line loose but luckily I didn’t need it anymore. Fixed it all up when I got home with my repair kit ;)

So, I think Pennsylvania Gulch is doable although I’ll probably put chains on if I try it anytime soon. Next week it’s either that or perhaps run Yankee hill again.... or maybe head up north to Ballard Road or something up that ways.....

[Jim]

If there's nice weather, Ballard could be on my radar...

[JAB]

Next week it’s either that or perhaps run Yankee hill again

I may be in for a Yankee Hill Run. would be bringing the Gladiator crew... Ballard would be a bit too far for me this weekend. thinking Saturday?