We took the Toyota 4runner out up Cumberland Gulch to see if we could get over the top at Yankee Hill. Much of the trail was acting more like a creek than a dirt road.
The mountains sure are pretty with the new coat of white they received over the last few days.
The road is in decent shape although there was lots of water flowing.
Just before the first snow on the road.
I tore off one of my mud flaps backing up here. Down behind me there was a very large area of mud followed by a bunch of snow. This is Forest Road 271.1F at the intersection with the main trail.
Heading back down the hill through the trail turned creek. The road becomes impassable due to snow at the intersection of 271.1D, 271.1G, and 271.1H. A 3rd gen 4runner was stuck in the snow there. We helped pull them out. We headed down the hill before they tried getting through the snow drifts again. There was another 4×4 farther up the hill that looked like it had chains on. I don’t think anyone will be going over this hill without some serious traction tires and chains for another few weeks.
After heading down to Idaho Springs for some lunch, we went up Oh My God Road, through Nevadaville, and out to Apex to try and get over the top to Tolland. Close to the summit we ran into a very deep snow drift. It was late in the afternoon and the snow had softened up quite a bit. We sunk up to our axles and spent the next two hours using the hi-lift to slowly work our way backwards. The last ten feet, a Toyota Tacoma appeared and snatched us out the rest of the way. This route is going to be closed for at least another couple weeks. Beyond where we became stuck it is one long snow drift to the summit.