Westcliffe/Hermit Rd questions

I want to make a return trip to Westcliffe this week and shoot osme of the great wildflowers that I saw up there a week or so ago.
I've got two questions that I hope someone(s) can help me with...
Is Hermit Rd doable with something like a Subaru Outback, or will I need more ground clearance than that?
And...does anyone have any suggestions for a motel in Westcliffe/Silvercliffe? I may want to stay the night and catch the sunrise there.
Thanks!

You can make it up most all of Hermit Road with an Outback. The top part is a bit steeper and without low range, I'm not sure how well you'll like coming back down. I think you'd have no problem getting up to the trail head for Hemit Lake itself. They graded it some time last year and I thought it was pretty smooth going up in September. That said, I don't think you could get to the top of the pass regardless of your vehicle for at least a few more weeks. There is a ton of snow up in that basin based on what I saw on Sunday.

Hermit Pass, one of my FAVORITE places in Colorado!

Second question answered first: I suggest the Outback Motel. It's what we nature photographers do!

As for the road, your Outback can do the road this time of year, because I am pretty sure the worst obstacle, just past timberline, is still snowed in. This is way early for Hermit except in the driest of years, which, as we all know, this is NOT. Be forewarned that the road is very rough, more in a this-drive-is-taking-forever sort of way than a technically difficult 4WD road. It's definitely 4WD, and high clearance would be a better option, but if you take it slow and are careful, you can do it to timberline, where you can park and walk down to some cool little tarns that reflect Eureka Mtn. You'll know early on whether to continue on, because the road is pretty rough near the start. If you find yourself uncomfortable with that, turn around.

I just saw Mel's post. I wasn't aware that they had graded the road last year. Come to think of it, I don't think I went up Hermit last year, which is a first in many years for me.

I agree with Todd in that respect. The road is a slow drive. The road was about the same level of rough at the bottom when I headed up last fall as it is anywhere else on the trail. But it was freshly graded (along with Music Pass).

Based on my backpacking experience at this time of year last year, and the amount of snow I saw up there last weekend, I seriously doubt you'll make it much past 11,000 feet this weekend.

And I agree with Todd. It is a super cool Colorado location.

Thanks Todd and Mel.
I'd do the "Outback Motel", but my wife will probably be accompanying me, and she's not going to want to do that...

Are there a lot of wildflowers up there now and what kind?

Jack

Jack, I was in Westcliffe about 10 days ago, and there were lots of wild Iris's, Paintbrush, and other flowers that I can't identify other than by color (mostly yellow).
I found most of this on Hermit Rd, west of town, and just before it turned up hill at the fork in the road at the bottom of the mountains.

This link may or may not be helpful:
Hermit Pass trail description

Thanks Rich!