South Colony Lake trailhead 4WD access

Looking for beta on the 4WD road that leads to the South Colony trailhead (access to Humbolt Peak, Crestone Peak, etc.). Dawson's 14er guide decribes the 4WD section with the following: 'any short wheelbase 4x4, driven well, can handle the track.' However, earlier in the chapter the warns that 4WD roads in the Sangres are for serious rock crawlers only. So, my question is, is a Subaru Forester (AWD, 7.5' of ground clearance, but not the best approach and departure angles) suitable for the trip, if driven well? I know a Forester isn't a 'real' SUV (no low range gearing, etc.), but I've made it up some pretty rough roads with it in the past. [Great vehicle btw - 30 mpg on the highway, lotsa cargo space, goes places you wouldn't think it could, and drives like a sedan on regular roads, little chance for a rollover in an emergency manuver, etc., etc.]

Thanks, SeanM

Before you buy.

Sean,

I was just up South Colony Lakes Road a little over a week ago doing a search and rescue, and before that, this past May when there was still quite a bit of snow covering upper portions of the road.

I would not take your Subaru Forester up that road. I have a Toyota PU with almost 12' of clearance and I still bottomed out in at least three places.

No matter how judiciously you drive your Subaru, I think some parts of it are so bad that you will leave pieces of your car on the road. My opinion? Rent a truck or short wheelbase SUV with a good amount of clearance, get the damage waiver and drive it up there.

Ah. Ok. Thanks, that helps. I wonder then why Dawson's decription makes it seem kinda do-able?

I think I'll just park at the end of the 2WD section and hike the 3-4 miles of the 4WD road. Sounds like even if I *could* make it in a vehicle, it'd take me about as long to drive as it would to walk.

Thanks for the beta, SeanM

Before you buy.

I would strongly recommend you NOT drive a Forester up the Colony road. You REALLY need to have low range. I agree about the Urabus - great cars. They definitely are not REAL 4wd's, though.

In my opinion, Subaru would do us all a HUGE favor if they would start making a 'Granny' gear for their transmissions.

-Mike 'Two car family, two Urabus's' Watz-

Hmmm, I think the road has gotten worse since he wrote the book, especially in the last couple of years with more traffic

My copy was published in 1999, but maybe he wrote the description a while back and hasn't updated it since? Dunno.

Thanks, SeanM

Before you buy.

That is one rough road. When I drove up there a few years ago I passed a Sabaru on the side of the road with it's tailpipe ripped out. It's not so much a 4 wheel drive road from the standpoint of steep traction sections or threats of rollovers. It's more like driving a dried up river bed. Bottoming out is a fact of life. I bet a careful driver COULD get up there without too much damage though. But it will take HOURS and I'm not kidding. Hours.

Cool. Point well taken - looks like I'm walkin'.

Agreed. The Australian model Forester comes with a low range *and* a turbo (though the engine is a bit smaller). And they used to make low ranges in the old wagons. Not sure what prevents them from bringing the low range to the US.

On the bright side, their new STX hybrid/pickup/SUV thingy looks pretty damn sweet. A 230-horsepower supercharged/intercooled version of the Outback 2.5-liter engine, AWD, LSD, a dual-range 5-speed transmission and 8.5 inches of ground clearance. Still just a concept, but oh what a concept.

Regards, SeanM

Before you buy.

Cool. Point well taken - looks like I'm walkin'.

Agreed. The Australian model Forester comes with a low range *and* a turbo (though the engine is a bit smaller). And they used to make low ranges in the old wagons. Not sure what prevents them from bringing the low range to the US.

On the bright side, their new STX hybrid/pickup/SUV thingy looks pretty damn sweet. A 230-horsepower supercharged/intercooled version of the Outback 2.5-liter engine, AWD, LSD, a dual-range 5-speed transmission and 8.5 inches of ground clearance. Still just a concept, but oh what a concept.

Regards, SeanM

Before you buy.

Got skid plates? There are a few sections where they might come in handy. Definitely watch that departure angle - bumper grabbers are waiting; more likely a problem on descent. Low range gearing is helpful but not a necessity. Without having singular obstacles, this is the roughest trail I've ever driven. Take your time, pick your line, let the adventure begin.

Query Deja for more, Tom Stybr

I think low range would be a necessity for the Forester. The Subaru transmission does not creep very well - in fact, throw in a decent grade and you'll need to maintain some fairly high rpm's to keep from stalling. High rpm's in first will translate into what I would term 'difficult to control' speed on a rough road.