by Flatlander
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The Wheeler Lake4x4 trail is just down the south side of Hoosier Pass on Hwy 9.. ALL 4 FUN rated the trail a 9 on the Colorado 4WD Association's 10 point scale. The 9 rating is primarily for the major obstacle on the last climb to Wheeler Lake toward the end of the trail although some of the other obstacles are becoming more challenging also. Kevin Carter lead the trail in his "Great White Whale" Cherokee Chief.
Obstacle locations:
| Lat: N 39°21.529' | Lon: W 106°05.107' | First major obstacle |
| Lat: N 39°21.765' | Lon: W 106°05.363' | Second major obstacle |
| Lat: N 39°21.854' | Lon: W 106°07.396' | Beginning of rough climb to 9 rated obstacle near the end of the trail |
 DeLorme Topo USA 2.0 map of Wheeler Lake trail and vicinity. The dashed trail line is directly from DeLorme Topo USA 2.0. The Blue pins marking the major obstacles are from a Lowrance GlobalMap 1600. Click the map for a full size version. |
 DeLorme Topo USA 2.0 3-D map of the trail looking west from above Hwy 9. Montgomery reservoir is in the foreground. Wheeler Lake near the top right. |
Wheeler Lake is as beautiful as it is challenging. The scenery begins right after locking in the hubs just past Montgomery Reservoir.
 An abandoned mine guards the beginning of the trail. |
 The scenery is beautiful and non-stop on the Wheeler Lake trail. |
The first obstacle is not far past the abandoned mining buildings. The original obstacle isn't really that bad. But enough novices thought it was that they created a bypass. Over the years the "bypass" has eroded to the point that it is a far more challenging obstacle than the original obstacle. Most of the ALL 4 FUN 4-wheelers gave it a try.
 The "bypass" |
 The "original" obstacle |
The next major obstacle a little farther down the trail tends to turn back the novice SUVs that wonder up this far. The trick is to straddle the "V" up the steep grade, but its easy to fall in and get hung up.
 This ALL 4 FUN Grand Cherokee didn't back off from anything and made some of the cleanest runs of the day. |
 A little wheel lift is always a crowd pleaser |
The
final optional obstacle leads to Wheeler Lake itself. Large loose rocks
make the steep climb to the obstacle more challenging. Then its a right
turn directly into its jaws. The camera really does not do the obstacle
justice. Get out and look it over carefully before giving it a try.
The way out is the same as the way in, scenic but bumpy.
'99 ALL 4 FUN Home Page | Chinaman Gulch
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