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Wheeler Lake is a challenging trail for those of you who
want to push your vehicle's limits. The trail travels up a valley near Mt Lincoln just
south of Hoosier Pass. It offers lots of rocks, water, rocks, narrow lanes lines with
bushes, and rocks. The trail is rated difficult but progresses up to Vehicle Damage
Likely when wet. Wheeler lake can be driven as a day trip from Denver/Colorado
Springs or Grand Junction.
 After spending a nice night in
Breckenridge we decided to tackle Wheeler Lake. The Pass Patrol Book #1 described it as a
4x4-D (but VDL when wet) and we figured it was time to tackle something that would get our
adrenaline going.
We headed out from the south end of Breck at approx. 10:00 am. Heading south on 9, we
reached the summit of Hoosier Pass (about 10 miles) and started down the back side. Almost
immediately we saw the sign for County Road 4. We followed this until we reached the west
end of the reservoir. The large collection of Jeeps and other 4x4s told us we were in the
right place.
The trail starts out somewhat aggressively with some tiny switchbacks and some small rocks
to climb up on. Immediately you pass under an old mine complex on your way up the valley.
The first major obstacle is a large pack of rocks (shown) that pose a
serious challenge. Heading up these is easier than the alternative, a very large step to
the right (with the telltale patches of oil...). This is followed rather closely by
a another challenge. You can either straddle a ravine (similar to Poison Spider in
Moab) or you can climb up on a large slick rock to the left.
The trail progresses up the valley climbing over several more large rocks, through some
deep puddles, across a mud bog, etc.. One particularly fun challenge is a point where the
stream that meanders back and forth across the trail decided to run right down the middle.
It just so happens that this point also has some very big loose rocks, some slick fixed
rocks, and a fallen tree to crawl around and over. Add the dimension of water and you are
in for some fun.
 The final obstacle before you get to the
lake (approx. 3.5 miles from the lake) is the real deciding point. After a long climb up a
rocky road with a stream running down the middle, the trail switchbacks. The catch is that
in the middle of the turn are three really big rocks. The first juts out into the middle
of the trail, 12-24 inches high, looking to damage steering setups. I watched 3 extremely
well built vehicles attack this problem and all three of them scraped metal at this point.
Making it over this rock (actually not that hard with the correct line) puts you at the
next problem. Two rocks line the sides of the trail with the uphill rock being a small
waterfall. You need come off the first steerage eater, turn to the right, and get one
wheel (the driver's side) on the waterfall and somehow make it around or over the rock to
the right. I saw 7 modified vehicles turn back from this because it was just to slick.
Some people seem to care when their sheetmetal is threatened. I did watch the tree
monsters (lockers, lifts, 33s, etc.) conquer this thing so I do know it is possible. As
for myself, I decided that my stock Jeep Cherokee has been far enough that day. Already a
rock had had a fight with my mud flaps and fender trim and had won.
We turned back after a brief lunch and started back down all the fun. Everything was going
fine until the summer thunderstorm kicked in complete with hail, rain, lightning, and
wind. The obstacles were all a bit different after being slicked up but we made it out
with no problems. From there we headed on to Mosquito Pass.
- Take state road 9 south from Breckenridge.
- You will cross Hoosier Pass approx. 10 miles from Breck.
- Immediately after cresting the pass begin looking for a major dirt road on the West side
of the road. This should be County Road 4
- Take this road and follow it west back into the valley. Ignore all side roads and
continue until are on the north side of a large reservoir.
- Follow the road along the edge of the reservoir until you are at the southwest corner of
the lake.
- At this point there is no other place to go besides up Wheeler Lake road. The lake is
approx. 3.8 miles from the edge of the reservoir.
Click here for a ZOOM IN of the Wheeler Lake TOPO!
Click here for an altitude profile of Wheeler Lake trail.
This trail is covered in Volume 1 of the Pass
Patrol books.
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