Lower Crystal Lake, Breckenridge, Co.

[18Cruiser]

Just down from Lower Crystal Lake.

Trail was definitely narrow and rocky with lots of undulations and some large dips, low water crossings but nothing difficult.

The LC never had any drama or issue. Lock the rear and center diffs, put in 4Lo and loose rock.

Would have taken the road further and seen what was around the bend but I think my wife would have thrown a fit.

Edit:
Any other suggestion for trails to run while here?

 

[kcjaz]

Last years LCDC (Breckenridge) runs were:
NorthFork to Middle Fork (Swan River) - Difficult
Red Cone - Difficult
Peru Creek to Chihuahua Gulch - Easy
McAllister Gultch - Moderate
Mosquito Pass to Birdseye Gulch - Moderate
Saints John to Deer Creek Loop - Moderate\
Sante Fe Peak - Moderate

These are all in the FunTreks book. If you don't have that book, I highly recommend you get a copy. Google will also get you intel on these.

 

[18Cruiser]

Last years LCDC (Breckenridge) runs were:
NorthFork to Middle Fork (Swan River) - Difficult
Red Cone - Difficult
Peru Creek to Chihuahua Gulch - Easy
McAllister Gultch - Moderate
Mosquito Pass to Birdseye Gulch - Moderate
Saints John to Deer Creek Loop - Moderate\
Sante Fe Peak - Moderate

These are all in the FunTreks book. If you don't have that book, I highly recommend you get a copy. Google will also get you intel on these.

In AllTrails, Lower Crystal lake was listed as "Hard", it was tight but it didn't seem that technical or difficult. Not saying a Kia Sole could make it. I do have a 2.5 inch lift and 34s as well as armor under and sliders, so that did boost my confidence. It was a nice well marked trail that a capable vehicle could and did make it up with relative ease.

The ones listed as difficult, would you describe them as technical?

 

[kcjaz]

In AllTrails, Lower Crystal lake was listed as "Hard", it was tight but it didn't seem that technical or difficult. Not saying a Kia Sole could make it. I do have a 2.5 inch lift and 34s as well as armor under and sliders, so that did boost my confidence. It was a nice well marked trail that a capable vehicle could and did make it up with relative ease.

The ones listed as difficult, would you describe them as technical?

I did NorthFork to Middle Fork (Swan River) and Red Cone. “Difficult” vs. “easy” is in the eye of the beholder and hard to describe between people that have never rode together. That said, I’ll try:

NorthFork to Middle Fork (Swan River) got tight in a few spots and one part had a deep V that created an off camber situation that got a bit uncomfortable (I’m a flat lander though) and there was a risk of body damage as the V was deep and I worried about body damage from trees and rocks in a few places. Everyone got through though and no one took any damage. We did have to cut a protruding tree root to get through.

I do t recall any part of Ref Cone being too hard. The steep decent is the thing every talks about but just going slow in 1st gear lo and riding your brake without skidding at the very top is all you need to do.

The Red Cone pics don’t do it justice. It’s steep!

 

[kcjaz]

This thread may also help you.

Events/Trails - LCDC8 Official Thread

LCDC8 Dates: July 25-28, 2022 Location: Breckenridge, Colorado Sign Up for mailing list and updates here: www.landcruiserdc.com Registration begins Feb 27... look for an email with time specifics and registration details. Capacity 50

forum.ih8mud.com

Be careful, especially if you are solo.

 

[18Cruiser]

Thanks, I will read through the quoted post and if we can find the time will see what else we can get into.