Below are trail descriptions for the trails that will be ran at this years All-4-Fun event. The descriptions come from two diferent recourses, the first being from FunTreks, one of our event sponsors, and the other is from Trail Damage. Almost all descriptions start with the dscription from FunTreks while the second paragraph is from Trail Damage.

Aspen Ridge, Bassam Park (Easy)

It's called Aspen Ridge for a reason, and the many, many aspen groves feature miles of healthy aspen trees. In addition, you'll see big mountain views, an old ghost town, remnants of mining operations, a big quarry, and a few rocky sections on the trail.

 

Billings Lake, Taylor Mountain (Monderate)

Trail climbs a very wide maintained road to a large, active quartz mine. After the mine, it becomes a narrow rough mining road with great views. Not recommended for oversized vehicles. Most of the trail is easy, but novice drivers might find the narrowness of the road intimidating near the top. Experienced drivers in smaller 4X4 SUV's with low range should have no trouble.

 

The trail starts out as a smooth, wide road leading up to an active limestone quarrying operation. The road turns to a narrow trail shortly after the quarry as you approach the Lily Mine and the start of the switchbacks. The trail climbs steeply from here. The trail quickly exits trees and provides a great view of the mountainside and the many mines dotting the landscape.

 

Boulder Mountain, Baldwin Lake (Moderate)

Scenic, remote, lesser-traveled back roads. Great views from top of Boulder Mountain. Rocky, narrow road suitable for aggressive, high-clearance SUV's with low range. Oversized vehicles should not attempt Boulder Mountain. Marginally difficult above Baldwin Lakes. 

 

This is one of the more challenging trails out of all of the trails in the area. It begins by the creek just off of the county road, and it ends at an old mine shaft and an old collapsed building about a mile west of the lakes. You will need a high-clearance vehicle, because at the top there are a lot of large rocks that make the trail quite challenging.

 

Carnage Canyon (BV) (Difficult)

A nationally recognized extreme trail for radically modified vehicles. Minimum 35-inch tires with lockers both ends. Be prepared to winch, often. Expect mechanical failures and body damage. Carry and use a spill kit.

 

This is an extremely challenging trail. Don't be fooled by how short it is. It may be impossible to get through it without a winch and a minimum of 35-inch tires. Lockers and a good gear ratio are required, and damage to your vehicle is very likely.

 

Chinaman Gulch (Difficult)

Narrow and sandy with isolated rock obstacles, some with bypasses. Bet suited for modified vehicles with large tires, lockers, and skid plates.

 

This trail is often mistakenly called "Chinaman's Gulch" or "Old Chinaman." It stays well below timberline and in the trees for almost all of the trail. This makes for a day of very little scenery compared to many other Colorado trails, but the obstacles more than make up for that.

 

Cottonwood Pass, Tincup Pass (Moderate)

Rocky at the top with one short section of narrow shelf road at 12,000 ft suitable for any high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive SUV with low range gearing. A beautiful high-elevation route starting and ending at historic, quaint mountain towns. Saint Elmo is one of the most popular ghost towns in Colorado and has a few active businesses, including a general store. Tincup active businesses include the Tincup Store and Frenchie's Cafe.

 

Connecting the tiny towns of Tincup and St. Elmo, this is a great way to get from Chaffee County to Gunnison County and back. It's not a particularly rocky or difficult road, though it will give some stock SUVs a fun challenge. You'll climb Sawmill Hill before reaching the pass itself. There is lots of room for parking and taking in the sights. There is a big sign at the top. The top of the pass is beautiful and offers some hiking. 

 

Grizzly Lake (Difficult)

The lake, with surrounding mountains, is pure Colorado beauty. The toughest part of this trail is  at the beginning where a very difficult rock obstacle follows a stream crossing. The remainder of the trail is mostly moderate with a few marginally difficult muddy and rocky places. Not recommended for stock vehicles.

 

The first obstacle is across a creek before tackling the biggest obstacle on the trail. It is an ever-changing rock climb with areas of stacked rock and places where tires have dug holes in the dirt. Wet tires only make it more challenging. You'll climb a short distance to a new rock obstacle almost parallel to the trail. The bypass takes you around it a little further, but the obstacle itself is worth trying. After conquering these two obstacles you are faced with a long, steep hill of loose rock. It climbs to what seems to be the top, only to make a left turn and climb some more. After the hill there are some shelf roads. You'll spend the rest of the trail in and out of the trees. Some places are pretty tight and brush will touch your vehicle. There are more creek crossings and even a muddy water patch.

 

Hagerman Pass (Easy)

Some embedded rock on each side of the pass but most of the road is wide and graded. You'll see two historically significant railroad tunnels.

 

The initial climb is easy with lots of room for passing. When you get to a wide, sweeping switchback you will find plenty of parking so you can explore the area around the Carlton Tunnel. Most passenger vehicles can make it to this tunnel. After you pass this switchback the trail gets a bit rougher and steeper as you climb up to the pass.

 

Halfmoon Gulch (Difficult)

One obstacle is very difficult. Other obstacles are marginally difficult, but most of the trail is moderate. High clearance SUV's can drive F.S. 110, but probably not F.S. 110J to the Iron Mike Mine. This trail climbs to one of the largest and best preserved mill structures in Colorado. Incredible views above timberline on the trail to Iron Mike Mine. Terrain is exciting and challenging and water crossings are fun.

 

This is a great trail for water crossings and big views, and it's worth the short trip off of the beaten path to visit it. It's shaped like a big "Y" so you will get to experience everything in both directions.

 

Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Williams Pass (Difficult)

Moderate, very rocky and slow-going, but okay for aggressive stock SUV's. Skid plates are helpful. The trail to Alpine Tunnel is a high shelf road, but easy. See the restored train depot at Alpine Tunnel and the more difficult trail to Hancock Pass. Williams Pass was closed for 12 years and reopened again in 1997, though it is only open for the month of August each year (weather permitting). It is a short trail filled with challenges and awesome scenery.

 

The initial climb is easy with lots of room for passing. When you get to a wide, sweeping switchback you will find plenty of parking so you can explore the area around the Carlton Tunnel. Most passenger vehicles can make it to this tunnel. After you pass this switchback the trail gets a bit rougher and steeper as you climb up to the pass.

 

Hayden Pass (Moderate)

Moderate rating applies to upper portion of trail only. Lower portions are easy. High clearance and low range recommended. A gorgeous drive with just enough challenge to make it fun.

 

There are very few trails in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains and Hayden Pass is a nice one connecting one valley to the other. It is steep on both sides, with rocky areas.

 

Iron Chest (Difficult)

Classic hard-core trail with historic structures at Iron Chest Mine. A quarter-mile stretch of boulders at the beginning of the trail is brutal. After that, the trail is narrow in places, often with small washouts. Not recommended for stock SUV's. 

 

Iron Chest is a very short trail but it is extremely challenging due to the Rock Garden, a long boulder field near the start of the trail. The boulders are very large and most of them are loose, making the trail change after every vehicle. It is probably too challenging for stock vehicles and may be too challenging for some modified vehicles. Prepare for a little trail damage, and make sure you have good protection (skid plates, guards, etc.). Rocker panel protection is mandatory.

 

Lost Canyon (Moderate)

Road narrows and is steep in spots with intermittent rocky sections. Aggressive, high-clearance SUV's only. Trail looks down on Lost Canyon from high point near top of Quail Mountain. Views in all directions from overlooks include Twin Lakes Reservoir, Mount Elbert, and Clear Creek.

 

This is almost like a combination of two trails. The first half of the trail is fairly easy and possible in almost any vehicle. It winds through aspen trees providing some amazing scenery, especially at a few of the switchbacks. The second half of the trail climbs above timberline on trail that can be rocky and rough. There are a few overlooks at the top that offer some spectacular views of the area.

 

Marshall Pass (Easy)

Suitable for any 4-wheel-drive SUV with low range. 

 

The Marshall Pass trail follows an old railroad right-of-way for almost its entire length, so the climbs and descents are gradual. For the most part, the roadbed is smooth and wide. There are a few spots where the roadbed has some exposed rocks.

 

Mosquito Pass (Moderate)

The upper portion of the trail is narrow and rocky on both sides of pass but suitable for aggressive, high-clearance, stock SUV's with low range. Highest pass road in Colorado open to motorized travel. Views from the 13,185 ft. summit are impressive with very interesting mine structures on the east side.

 

This is one of those trails that is popular with all off-road enthusiasts because it offers a little bit of everything. The scenery is fantastic, including a huge mine in fairly good condition, and this is the highest continuous road in Colorado that goes over a pass. It used to be a stagecoach road that saw heavy use, and though it was a fairly easy trail in the past it has gotten quite a bit more challenging in recent years. 

 

Mount Antero (Difficult)

Incredibly high drive to near top of 14,000-ft peak with side trip to quiet Brown's Lake. Extremely narrow shelf road with tight switchbacks. Small SUV's with low-range gearing and high clearance can drive all but last half mile to near top of Mount Antero. Oversize vehicles will have a hard time at switchbacks. Experienced drivers only.

 

Mount Antero is one of Colorado's 14'ers -- mountains measuring over 14,000 feet and you can drive to over 13,800 feet and then hike the rest of the way to the 14,269-foot summit. The trail itself is fairly easy until you get very close to the top. It is a little scary, however, as you are on very narrow shelf roads for most of the trip. There are many switchbacks and passing another vehicle is impossible in most places. The trail here is made of loose rock and some dirt areas. There are some tippy parts but most of it is pretty level. You are above timberline when the switchbacks start, so you can see if someone is coming for a very long distance.

 

Mount Bross (Easy)

Not available at this time...

 

Mount Princeton (Moderate)

Most of the road is easy except near the top. Narrow shelf road may be intimidating to some. Most stock SUV's can do it. Low range is required for steep climbs. A relatively short drive to outstanding views.

 

Most of the trail at the lower elevations is extremely smooth and easy enough for a passenger car. It is only the last half mile or so that gives this trail its higher rating. It is a soft, nice trail that is often wide enough for vehicles to pass. The last few switchbacks have some rocky areas, and the last switchback is very exposed above timberline, and is a shelf road that may be difficult for people afraid of heights. You can finally see the whole valley, including where Chinaman's Gulch starts. The top has plenty of room for parking, and the views are amazing.

 

Mount Zion (Easy)

Steep in a few places but easy for a high-clearance 4X4 SUV with low range. Deterioration of trail over time could result in more challenging conditions. Mount Zion is about two thirds of the way up the trail and has distant views of Leadville and Turquoise Lake. Best views are at end of road near Buckeye Peak.

 

This is the way to see Leadville. The trailhead is only a few miles north of town and by the end of the trail you're high in elevation and able to see all of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This is truly a breathtaking trail.

 

Rawley Mine, Clover Creek (Moderate)

Most of this trail is easy; however the climb is extremely narrow in places and requires low range. Lots of standing mine buildings, especially at the Rawley Mine and the historic town of Bonanza. 

 

There is one steep, off-camber climb near the western end due to erosion, but careful tire placement will help through this area. Other than that, the trail is fairly mellow. The main trail should be suitable for any 4x4 vehicle although the side spurs can get more difficult. The views of the valley and the Sangre De Cristo Mountains make this easy trail an inviting diversion. 

 

Weston Pass, Breakneck Pass (Moderate)

Breakneck Pass is a loop trail before taking Weston Pass with some scenery at the north end. Much of this trail is easy. The climb to Brown's Pass is close to difficult, but not quite. The average stock SUV will have a hard time here, but more aggressive stock models can do it.  Pleasant drive over relatively low Weston Pass. High clearance is needed on the west side. Ends near Leadville.

 

This trail is not difficult though there are a few rocks in the trail that you may want to avoid if you do not have much clearance. Four-wheel drive is not necessary. The views on this trail are incredible as you travel through a big, lush valley to the top of Weston Pass. There are one or two sections where the brush may touch your vehicle. The initial climb is usually smooth but there are some sections with small stones in the road. There is also an area of old logs embedded in the road, but they are not difficult to climb over. When you get to the pass, you are surrounded by beautiful mountains, and the scenery is amazing. You also see some old cabin remains here and there along the trip.

 

Wheeler Lake (Difficult)

Difficult with several large rock obstacles. Very narrow in spots with tight brush that can scratch paint. Not recommended for stock SUV's, more aggressive models can do it. Trail climbs up beautiful valley to high mountain lake with waterfall. Pass directly under historic Magnolia Mill. Gorgeous seasonal wildflowers.

 

Wheeler Lake is one of those trails that has a little bit of everything. It has gorgeous scenery from the start at Montgomery Reservoir and the Magnolia Mill to the valley on the way to Wheeler Lake itself. Wheeler Lake is at the end of the trail, and it is surrounded on three sides by mountains forming part of the Continental Divide. It is a chilly lake at 12,200 feet. It seems to be raining on this trail most of the time, so prepare for lots of water. The trail also has some 4x4 challenges that are very difficult for stock vehicles and provide lines that will make even a big rig have to work to climb.