Rating: 5/10

On 8/23/03, I ventured out to Red Cone for my first time. Up until this point, Red Cone had a certain aura about it that a few select trails hold, which are usually the ones that have severe consequences if you make a wrong move! I had read a number of reviews and have seen a video on it and really wasn't sure what I was going to get myself into. For those that aren't familiar with this trail, it is the steep descent from Red Cone Peak (12,801') to Webster Pass where it gains its reputation. I had a chance to run this a week earlier with one other person, but wasn't mentally prepared. Note that I usually play things very safe. I knew I wanted to run it at some point and since we had a total of five rigs doing it this time around, I thought that this would be an ideal opportunity if I was going to run it.

The trailhead starts out just before the start of the climb up Kenosha Pass on the east side on County Road 60 and heads north. About five miles in, the trail forks off to Handcart Gulch leading up to Webster Pass and the other to Red Cone which ends atop Webster Pass as well. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the moderate sized rocks in a number of sections on the southern half of the trail that really made this quite fun to drive. There is also one notable hairpin turn with some fairly deep moguls that will require some attention for those with open diffs. This first half also goes through a nice forest as well.

Leaving timberline the views start to open up to the east and south. As we were approaching the road where it starts to ascend to the Red Cone summit, I was definitely filled with anxiety as to what the final ride was actually going to be like, but never felt nervousness set in. At one point nearing the top, I actually said “Mommy!” Halfway joking, though, of course. Uh, well, kind of! The summit, at 12,801', affords some excellent views in every direction as one would imagine, most notably looking down to South Park and onto Webster Pass and its infamous shelf road below. I would definitely give this road a scenic rating of 10. I've always known it has great views and have been wanting to travel it for this reason for quite awhile.

Now onto the descent! A few of us walked down the first section to see how the moguls below were positioned and to check their depth. After walking this section I was delighted that it was very straight forward. Indeed, it was an easy drive and I took the far left line at the mogul section. I was also expecting huge exposure on either side on the descent, but the track is fairly wide as it is throughout the duration. The whole downhill section averages 25-30 degrees in slope, which is not uncommon, nor severe. However, with the loose shale which I was also expecting, that is where it could become a little more tricky. I found the surface to be quite sound and solid and only managed to lock the wheels twice, and only for a few inches at that.

According to some folks on 4x4Trails.net, this road is substantially easier than it used to be in years past as the moguls at the end of the downhill sections are shallower. I have to say I thought this road was easy as pie and cannot imagine anyone having any issues here. This is why I had to give this a rating of 5. You can bet I'll be back here a number of more times soaking up the views.