Trail Overview
Quarry (FS 350.B) is a short but highly challenging, scenic trail designed for experienced offroad drivers looking to test their skills and vehicle capability on rugged terrain with spectacular views of Pikes Peak. Stretching just over one mile through the Pike National Forest, this route climbs approximately 470 feet, reaching a maximum elevation of 8,022 feet. The adventure begins with steep 14% to 15% grades at both the east and west access points, requiring careful navigation over loose rock and tight squeezes. While the wider west access point offers ample room for Jeeps and high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles to ascend through a heavily forested, rutted, and root-laden path, the eastern entrance is significantly tighter with sharp switchbacks near the base that are best suited for smaller rigs or SxSs.
The defining highlight of this route is a technical granite playground near the eastern end, where drivers must pick their lines through a series of formidable ledges and vertical steps ranging from 18 inches to over five feet tall. Convenient flat spots between these granite obstacles allow drivers to stop, scout, and properly position their vehicles before making the climb or descent. As the dirt and loose rock give way to expansive slickrock and broken granite near the top, travelers are treated to stunning, wide-open views of Pikes Peak to the south. Because the trail is heavily eroded and prone to deep mud during the spring snowmelt or summer monsoon season, a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle with adequate articulation is highly recommended to safely negotiate the terrain.
Difficulty
The climbs at the access points pose no significant challenge. The trail is very rocky, rutted, eroded and tree-prone most way. However, this earns it's rating for the unavoidable set of vertical drop steps/ledges from 18" to over five-feet high near the east end of the trail. During the spring snowmelt or summer monsoon, deep mud is also possible.
