Mendenhall Road
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Kings Canyon, Eagle Hill
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 3 None 8.00 8,300 to 10,200 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Jackson
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Colorado State Forest	56750 CO-14, Walden, CO 80480	(970)723-8366
Summary:	The Mendenhall 4WD road connect the State Forest lands near Gould, Co with the Forest Service lands.
Attractions:	NA
Seasonal Closure:	Natural - Closed by heavy snows
Best Time:	June - Possible snow drifts July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Early snows possible
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	There are a few dispersed sites along the road.
Base Camp:	This would be a good are to base camp and explore the roads north of the Walden North San Hills.
Fall Colors:	Very Good - The lower section of this road crosses many aspen groves.
Navigation:	From Walden, CO. head north on CO-125 N/Main Street for 4.3 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 8 and go 1.1 miles. Turn left to stay on County Rd 8 and go 1.7 miles. Continue onto County Rd 8 for 0.3 miles. Continue onto County Rd 5 for 0.2 miles. Continue onto County Rd 8 for 0.3 miles. Turn right to stay on County Rd 8 and go 3.4 miles. Turn left to head up to the Mendehall Road.
History:
Description:
Starting from the end of the Government Creek, FR881, road the Mendenhall 4WD road has two routes. At a bend in the road there will be a right turn up a rocky hill climb, this is the way I went. The lower main road stays in a gully and connects in with the main Mendenhall Road further down the ridge. The top of the hill is a wide flat area with some screened views of North Park. The road will drop down the other side of the hills fairly quickly with some loose rocky sections. In about a mile you will connect with the main Mendenhall Road. To left the main road will climb to an open area where the road becomes more of a two track. To the right, the wider road heads down hill. Graded section photo by: Adam M After a short switchback you will come to the other Mendenhall road that did not go over the hill. It will come into the main road from the valley below the road. After a half mile you will come to an intersection with a short spur road to the left which dead ends in a half mile. Further down this road you will come to the start of the gradual switchbacks that drop you down out of the forest. Starting the switchbacks photo by: Adam M The pine forest will give way to the aspen groves on the lower hill sides. The road will continue to wind down through broad switchbacks working its way along shallow gullies. Heading down toward Walden, CO photo by: Adam M Finally you will break out into the open meadows of the lower hills. The road will continue down through a few fence lines. You will pass fainter roads the intersect with the Mendenhall road. The main road is easy to stay on. Further down you will intersect with County Road 8. To the right will lead you back to Highway 125 where you will come out just north of Walden.
Data updated - December 26, 2016        4WD Road driven - September 5, 2016        Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2016