Wheeler Lake
Trail Map - click on map to view at full size
GPS Coordinates N 39 35. 778 W 106 08.368
Rating 7- 9
This is a difficult trail and should only be attempted by a modified vehicle. A capable stock vehicle can travel this trail with a trail savvy spotter and an experienced driver. If you attempt this trail in a stock vehicle you should not attempt it alone or without the assistance of someone with considerable knowledge of the trail.
Directions
From Colorado Springs take US24 west for about 65 miles to just past the town of Hartsel and take a right on Hwy 9. Travel about 16 miles on Hwy 9 then take a right on US-285/CO-9. Take US-285/Co-9 to the town of Fairplay and turn left at the traffic light on Hwy 9. Take Highway 9 for about 2 miles past Alma until you start up Hoosier Pass and take a left on Park County Rd 4. Go about 8 miles until you pass Montgomery Reservoir. The trailhead starts on the Northwest side of the reservoir.
Trail Description
Wheeler Lake is an out and back trail and is usually very busy due to its close proximity to Denver, scenic location and the level of difficulty of the obstacles. Wheeler Lake has some of Colorado's most beautiful scenery at the beginning and end of the trail along with some fun and challenging obstacles.
At the beginning of the trail are some simple rocks that any capable 4WD vehicle can easily handle. The Magnolia mine building is at the top of these rocks and is still in very good condition. Just to the North of the mine building is a very beautiful, cascading waterfall.
The obstacles start just past the mine and the first difficult rock obstacle is about 100 yards from the mine. The least difficult line up this obstacle is the one on the left. This line started off being a bypass around this obstacle but has increased in difficulty over the years. The right side of this obstable has acquired the nickname of "The Flopper" for its tendency of laying vehicles on their side.
The next obstacle is my favorite and is the signature obstacle of this trail. On the right side of this large rock is the V notch that everyone wants to try. I've seen people run a tire up the notch or straddle the notch with similar spectacular results. You will only want to try the V notch on the right side if you have a significantly modified vehicle. The left side of the obstacle appears to be easier but is the most difficult line and should only be attempted by vehicles with significant flexibility. The easiest line up this obstacle is up the middle of this rock.
After this second obstacle you will travel through a brushy portion of the trail with lots of small stream crossings. This will be your opportunity to pick up some Colorado pin stripping gratis of the Wheeler Lake trail. The next major obstacle on the trail is known as "Bowling Ball" hill and is a rather long, steep hill with a stream running down and around bowling ball sized rocks.
At the top of "Bowling Ball" hill you will turn right and then encounter several small rock obstacles that require an agile vehicle. For some reason some people have described this as the most difficult obstacle on the trail. Just past this obstacle you will be treated a spectacular setting with a lake surrounded by mountains on 3 sides.
If you decide to hike the trail above Wheeler Lake you will be treated to a hanging lake and even more spectacular scenery.
