Redcone  
Maps:      
USGS 7.5' Map: Montezuma, Jefferson
Statistics:
Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time:
Moderate 7 FR 565   10,000 to 12,801 ft. Rock - 3
Steep - 2		 4-5 hours
County: Park
Adopted by: Mile Hi Jeep Club, Patrol 14    
Managed by: Pike National Forest,
South Platte Ranger District		 19316 Goddard Ranch Court
Morrison, CO 80465		 303-275-5610
Summary: Redcone 4WD road takes you to the top of Redcone Peak with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The north side is a series of three steep downhill sections on loose rock.
Attractions: Scenery, Rock Obstacles, Steep Descent.
Seasonal
Closure:		 Natural - Closed by seasonal snow fall.
Best Time: June - Typically snowed in.
July - Late in the month if the snow has melted.
August - Best
September - Best
October - First snows will close the road.
Summer
Activities:
Hiking -
Equestrian -
Mountain Bike -
ATV -
Motorcycle -
Camping: There are dispersed sites on the south side, most where you start Redcone due to the steep terrain along the 4WD road. The north side has no dispersed sites.
Base Camp: The south side has Webster Pass, FR 121, FR 285 and the Hall Valley area, FR 120.C, to explore. The north side has Radical Hill, FR 286, Deer Creek, FR 5, and Santa Fe Peak, FR 264, to explore.
Fall Colors: Good - The south side, lower section, has the best opportunity.
Winter
Activities:
Snowshoeing -
Cross Country Skiing-
Snowmobile -
Navigation: From Bailey, CO head west on US-285 South for 14.3 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 60/Hall Valley Road at the town site of Webster and go 5.0 miles to an intersection. There will be an information sign here. Take the road that heads uphill and loops back on itself to start Redcone. The road to the left is the Hall Valley Road FR 120.C. The road that goes north up Handcart Gulch is the Webster Pass road.
History:
Description:
Redcone 4WD road is run from south to north due to the steep north route. After leaving County Road 60 the 4WD road becomes narrow as it climbs the flank of Redcone through the aspen trees to Sawmill Gulch. There will be a few rock steps to navigate and some tight switchbacks. Once you reach Sawmill Gulch you will follow it through the trees passing small meadows and climbing to the head of the gulch.
Climbing to Sawmill Gulch

photo by:
Adam M

Sawmill Gulch

photo by:
Adam M

There will be larger openings in the forest with a few more rocky hills to climb before you enter a stand of large pine trees and navigate two switchbacks between the large trunks.
Large openings in the forest

photo by:
Adam M

This section has some tight sponts. As you leave the stand of pine you will be above timberline as you head toward the southern ridge of Redcone.
Southern ridge with obstacle part way up

photo by:
Adam M

On the steep slope in front of you is a large clump of bushes that marks the two ways over the steep rocky obstacle on the way to the top of the ridge. At one time one side may have been easier than the other, but they both offer different challenges for different types of vehicles.
Looking back down at the right side route in the previous picture

photo by:
Adam M

Closer shot of the obstacle

photo by:
Adam M

The approach to Red Cone

photo by:
Adam M

After making it through the obstacle you will follow the ridge giving you great views of the surrounding mountains.
Closer shot of the approach to Red Cone

photo by:
Adam M

The last steep uphill section is the final ascent to the top of redcone. There is very little space for vehicles on top and you will be completely exposed to the elements, but the view are great from the high vantage point on top of Redcone.
The ridge on the way to the top

photo by:
Adam M

Final climb to Red Cone

photo by:
Adam M

The top of Red Cone

photo by:
Adam M

Looking south at the ridge from the top of Red Cone

photo by:
Adam M

Webster Pass from Red Cone

photo by:
Adam M

From the top you will immediatly start down the extemely steep descent of the north side of Redcone. This section of the 4WD road is loose and offers the risk of your vehicle back end coming around. Watch using the breaks if this happens as it may put you sideways on this extremely steep hill. Toward the middle of the decent is the steepest section that has a reddish color and is rough than the upper section.
Coming down the north side of Redcone

photo by:
Adam M

At the bottom the road levels out and you head northwest along another ridge of Redcone. There will be another steep descent that take to the end of the ridge above Webster Pass. From here there is one more descent, steep than the second one, before you come out onto Webster Pass.
Final descent to Webster Pass

photo by:
Adam M

From Webster Pass you can head north to Montezuma, CO or south back down Handcart Gulch to where you started.
Data updated February 24, 2015       4WD Road driven September 5, 2010       Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2015