Yankee Hill Road

Total Miles
8.0

Elevation

3,347.81 ft

Duration

2.5 Hours

Technical Rating

5

Difficult

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

The easiest way to do this trail may be to take it from west to east. A GPS is handy, as it can be confusing to navigate the route. Another route to take is to start through Cumberland Gulch. Open all year.

Difficulty

Difficult. There are no obstacles, just a chewed up rocky section in the middle. The rest of the trail is narrow, rocky and steep in places. The biggest challenge is to not get lost.

History

To most 4-wheelers, Yankee Hill is just a challenging rocky hill climb. But in the 1890s, there was a small mining town by the same name at this location. In fact, Robert Brown, in his book 'Colorado Ghost Towns Past & Present,' devotes six pages to the town of Yankee Hill. He visited the site around 1970 and found only a barren hillside. However, at that time, he was able to find an earlier photo of the town, which he published in his book. We recommend history buffs get a copy of Brown's book. He has written several other excellent ghost town books, including his best known 'JeepTrails to Colorado Ghost Towns,' still available on Amazon.com.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Jacob Nash
Mar 23, 2024
SxS
Open
Snow/Ice
Made it to the top just below the rocky section of Yankee Hill! Super deep snow. Be really careful if you go up there because if you fall off the track into the fresh snow your gunna be stuck! Also have a winch and a buddy. 35+ tires are going to be a must! Beautiful views at the top. Good luck. We were the only tire machine to make it to the top since the big snow storm a couple weeks ago.
Jacob Nash
Mar 16, 2024
SxS
Obstructed
Deep Snow
We spent most of the day getting to the parking lot. Once I got my truck and trailer in the parking lot I was stuck! I then decided what the heck let’s unload and go wheeling. Broke trail with the Can Am on 35s for about 30 feet and then followed a Jeep on 40s for a bit further. Only made it about 400 yards past the parking lot. Deep deep snow so be prepared to use that skinny pedal!
Andrew Norman
Feb 25, 2024
4x4
Obstructed
Deep Snow
Very deep snow drifts going up from Jeep rd. Cumberland gulch was also impassable
K Graham
Nov 04, 2023
ATV
Open
Snow/Ice

Access Description

Take I-70 west from Denver to Fall River Road, Exit 238. Drive north about 8.5 miles to Mine Road on right. To start at Cumberland Gulch, bear right where switchback swings left, 7.0 miles up Fall River Rd.

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