Kelly Flats 4X4 Trial
near Ft. Collins, Colorado
JEEP-L Run

by Bill Graham with Photo's by Tyler Graham

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The author near the rollover point

After hearing from everybody that the Kelly Flats trail had been gated I thought I would take a look for myself. This year I wanted to invite the JEEP-L group to run the trail. During my pre-run I found no gates, however I did find out quickly that the trail was in rough (good) shape. While ascending Heartattack Hill I put my right rear wheel in a hole and UP! She went right toward the sky. This just after making it up a difficult step that always gives me fits. This was the closest to a roll over I have been in a long time.

Well to say the least Kelly Flats was in great shape for the run, and thanks need to go out to the Larimer County Mountaineers for adopting this trail and keeping it in great shape. Getting a bunch of JEEP-L ers together for the run was not difficult. With just a few strokes of the keyboard I had quite an impressive list of volunteers to tackle the trail. The Kelly Flats trail is located 25 miles up the Poudre canyon from Ted's Place (it's really just a sign now) which is Northwest of FT. Collins CO on Hwy. 285.

With a total of nine Jeep's ready to go and only two without lockers we were in for a good day of wheeling. I have always said if you can make it up the first 1/4 mile, you can do the rest of the trail. Well everybody made it through. When we got to the bottom of Heartattack Hill two Jeep's decided to take the bypass around. The hill was conquered by the rest without any problems. Most were surprised at how steep and slippery the hill was.

Don on Heartattack hill

Heartattack Hill

Once at the top a call came out over the radio that Benji was ready to go over the side on the bypass and needed help. I got to them in short order and found them already to safe ground. Coming down to them it was obvious the stock Wrangler (with smaller than stock tires) was going to have a hard time getting up the bypass. I used a strap to pull the Wrangler uphill and over the rocks. I thought the rear axle was going to blow apart from my Jeep while pulling him up, so I made up my mind that a little driving instruction was in order. At a few places I think Benji was amazed at what he was doing in his Jeep.

Terry shaving off some bolts

At one set of rock out croppings that has several ways to go through, Terry Howe took a rather unique approach to it. Going up high then getting high centered on the top, great for pictures but not so great for 2 bolts that got sheared off by the rocks. After using a strap to secure the crossmember up tight, we were on our way.

Rick in the "Chute"

Next up is the Chute, but first time was taken to eat some lunch and make some repairs. Terry used some bolts from his tire carrier to fix his cross member, and Benji took off the sway bar on his Wrangler for more articulation. The chute is narrow, enough so that if you miss judge your line you can fall into the rocks on your side while trying the big rock on the right. Rick and Roger make this look easy but believe me it's not. You end up carrying a tire in the air until it can come down on top of the next rock. All the while hoping you don't slip off back into the middle where it can really ruin your day.

Roger in the "Chute"

Roger in the "Chute"

Of course you can always take the bypass around the chute, as long as it's dry that is. The Jeep size holes on the bypass along with the large step near the front make this not always the easy way around.

The author on the Bypass

Benji on the Bypass with his new articulation

The last challenge area has several ways to go through, large rock's, small rocks, straight down, side hill, large or small steps, makes this part of the trail one of the best to play on.

Terry using his sidewall to grab the rock

Roger, showing the proper way to use the "Colorado RTI"

The author coming down the last step

Group in front of the "Chute"

The rest of the trail winds it's way through open meadows, a little mud, and parts of this trail are completely covered with tree's to block out the sun. At trails end we were driving with our lights on to see. It had been a long fun filled day of wheeling on a great trail. Sometimes your view from the front can be a little subjective, it always seems to go well in the front. In the end seeing the smiles all around I knew it had gone well for everyone. Still the rumors fly about the Kelly Flats being shut down or at least cut in half. There's quite a bit of private property that must be driven over and the last couple of years there has been more development. Time will tell the fate of this trial. One can hope it will remain open for years to come for all to enjoy.

GPS: Start of trail: N 40º 41' 00.8"  W -105º 28' 56.4"

Bill Graham e-mail cjnut@info2000.net
Web page http://www.info2000.net/~cjnut/jeep.htm

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