Wheeler Geologic Area, CO

[coulter6]

We picked up our new (to us) Phoenix Camper in July and have used it a few times to get use to it. Until now, we just stayed on Forest Service (FS) roads and went to some FS campgrounds in Northern NM and SW Colorado. The '06 Tacoma Off Road has been handling the camper very well so far.

We decided to break it in on a 4x4 road and put our sights on Wheeler Geologic Area (WGA) between Creed, CO and South Fork, CO. Turns out all that we read about the tough 4x4 road going to WGA was true. It's a long, rough road for sure. Here's some pics:

Leaving Hanson Mill

Rocky most of the way. I didn't care much for the rocks going in, but loved them coming out. It rained most of the night we were there and the road got pretty muddy and slicker than snail snot in a few places. I was glad to see the rocks because I knew they wouldn't be slick as the mud.

FS Road 600 is 14 miles from Hanson's Mill to WGA and took a good 3 hours each way.

There's a few dispersed camp sites at the end of the road.

The geologic area is wonderful and well worth the drive.

Happy to see the good dirt road after leaving FSR 600

The pine beetle has been working overtime in this area and there were few live trees to be seen.

 

[brp]

Looks like a cool trip! I will be in the area in about a week. I read on Gorp.com that, as I understand it, it is about a 14 mile 4x4 trail and they budgeted 8 hours of driving.

So they are estimating 4 hours each way. Does that sound right to you? I'll have a baby on board so I need to be conscious of time. Thanks for the report.

 

[craig333]

Interesting geologic features. If I'm ever in that area it'll be a must see.

 

[MarkBC]

Your first post and it's a trip report with photos -- good job! and thanks.

 

[coulter6]

Looks like a cool trip! I will be in the area in about a week. I read on Gorp.com that, as I understand it, it is about a 14 mile 4x4 trail and they budgeted 8 hours of driving.

So they are estimating 4 hours each way. Does that sound right to you? I'll have a baby on board so I need to be conscious of time. Thanks for the report.


Yes, it's 14 miles of rough 4x4 trail and 4 hours each way is realistic. Make sure there's no rain in the forecast, the road can become impassable real quick. Check with the Ranger station in Del Norte before you head up. We stayed at Palisade Campground the night before in order to get an early start.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Thanks for the great trip report!


Wheeler has been on my list for a few years. I will make it out there sometime. Thanks for the photos of the area.

 

[highz]

Welcome to the forum! Enjoyed your pics a lot, although the number of beetle-killed trees is depressing.

 

[Chainslap]

Funny, I was just there on Tuesday as well. Except we rode in on dirt bikes from the South Fork area, then headed over to Groundhog Park on some sweet singletrack and two track. Must say we were hoping to get closer since we had full moto gear on and hiking in those plastic boots is a chore...