TOR's Top 10 Difficult Colorado Trails

Ratbert · Jul 25, 2025

For those of you lucky enough to be in Colorado, @trailsoffroad recently published their top 10 list of difficult trails. Pretty damn good analysis, descriptions, and presentation.

I have to admit that Yansing Gulch (formerly Chinaman Gulch) is pretty tough when covered in snow. I had to winch up one obstacle since there was no way to get enough traction with worn down KO2s. Lots of fun!

Unfortunately I no longer live in Colorado, so yeah, I'm just a bit jealous.

CO2Wrangler · Jul 26, 2025

Holy Cross would like a word...

DonH63 · Jul 26, 2025

And Lake Como?

CO2Wrangler · Jul 26, 2025

Feels like a Top 10 moderate trails list really.

3TV · Jul 26, 2025

Thanks for posting this. I just retired and wanted to do some trails in Colorado. These trails rated 5 - 7 in difficulty will give me a good start.

Ratbert · Jul 26, 2025

DonH63 said:
And Lake Como?

Poughkeepsie Gulch? Basically one challenge.

Ratbert · Jul 26, 2025

CO2Wrangler said:
Holy Cross would like a word...

I didn't get a chance to run Holy Cross, but Independence Trail (taking the exit to Freedom) was pretty damn insane. That was the first time I trashed my rear (4.63) diff.

Powelligator · Jul 26, 2025

Yeah, without Holy Cross that's not really a list of the most difficult trails in Colorado. Mineral Creek? I was on that a couple weeks ago and can't think of it as being anything other than a pleasant drive.

andy29847 · Jul 27, 2025

Interesting article. It would be more useful if they qualified the ratings with the mods necessary to make the run. Many trails that are testy in a stock Jeep are a walk in the park with bigger tires and a lift. The Red Rock 4-Wheelers in Moab do a great job with their rating system and the trails in that area.

Trail Ratings - Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc.

Terrymo · Jul 27, 2025

andy29847 said:
Interesting article. It would be more useful if they qualified the ratings with the mods necessary to make the run. Many trails that are testy in a stock Jeep are a walk in the park with bigger tires and a lift. The Red Rock 4-Wheelers in Moab do a great job with their rating system and the trails in that area.

Trail Ratings - Red Rock 4-Wheelers, Inc.

I like the driving skill recommendations and rollover likelihood. Having a Jeep with “all the things” is only part of the equation.

andy29847 · Jul 27, 2025

Terrymo said:
I like the driving skill recommendations and rollover likelihood. Having a Jeep with “all the things” is only part of the equation.

That is a very good point. My last trip was in my stock Gladiator. I did a couple of "4" trails and they were all the challenge I was looking for. The chance of ending up with vehicle damage or even needing recovery assistance are the primary limitations in my willingness to accept the challenge.

andy29847 · Jul 27, 2025

This movie is from Fins N' Things in Moab. The trail is rated "4". The movie shows the climb out from section 1. It looks intimidating, but it was easy after I got up the ledge and onto the rock. Of course, it is steeper than it appears in the movie. You can tell this because the windshield is full of sky.

BTW, If I was going to buy a new Jeep, I would have to have the front camera. The trail has some optional "hard" routes that I suspect are rated closer to "5".

I was able to do some of the hard stuff in my stock Gladiator Rubicon, but I got stuck on the skid plate a couple of times because of the breakover angle.

MidwestJeeper · Jul 27, 2025

Ratbert said:
For those of you lucky enough to be in Colorado, @trailsoffroad recently published their top 10 list of difficult trails. Pretty damn good analysis, descriptions, and presentation.

I have to admit that Yansing Gulch (formerly Chinaman Gulch) is pretty tough when covered in snow. I had to winch up one obstacle since there was no way to get enough traction with worn down KO2s. Lots of fun!

Unfortunately I no longer live in Colorado, so yeah, I'm just a bit jealous.

CO trails, especially the San Juans and around Marble have been sitting on my bucket list for a long time.

Imogene is closed this year for trail maintenance and repairs I believe.

Gotta make it out there next year.

wibornz · Jul 28, 2025

We leave for Colorado on Saturday. Some of the trails are our list. I have ran many of the trails they listed. We have to be toned down some as we will have a Toyota 4Runner with us on 33 with a small lift. One of the jeeps will be a XR JLUR so 35s the other three will be on 37s but one is a gladiator but he is on a 4 in lift.

Terrymo · Jul 28, 2025

wibornz said:
We leave for Colorado on Saturday. Some of the trails are our list. I have ran many of the trails they listed. We have to be toned down some as we will have a Toyota 4Runner with us on 33 with a small lift. One of the jeeps will be a XR JLUR so 35s the other three will be on 37s but one is a gladiator but he is on a 4 in lift.

With all the trails you and your wife have done, and all the great pics you have taken, you should write a guide to offroad trails across the US with trail ratings etc. I’ll be your first buyer.

TOR's Top 10 Difficult Colorado Trails

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