I am planning on making a quick weekend trip to Ice Lake Basin in late July and was wondering what typical road conditions were. Basically what I am trying to get at is can I make it in a passenger car or should I bring the high clearance vehicle? Because I am lazy I will probably be taking the higher trailhead part way up the road to Clear Lake.
The lower trailhead can be done in a passenger car easily in in late July. The hike on trail is not that bad to the lower lake/basin, from there the elevation gain gets steep quickly. For the higher trailhead, however, toward Clear Lake 4x4 is advisable.
Edit: If you are going to be in the San Juans in late July, I would advise on bringing a higher clearance vehicle anyway due to the amount of other great photo locations that would be much easier to check out if you had one.
If you are going to be in the San Juans in late July, I would advise on bringing a higher clearance vehicle anyway due to the amount of other great photo locations that would be much easier to check out if you had one.
Discussion
3 repliesI am planning on making a quick weekend trip to Ice Lake Basin in late July and was wondering what typical road conditions were. Basically what I am trying to get at is can I make it in a passenger car or should I bring the high clearance vehicle? Because I am lazy I will probably be taking the higher trailhead part way up the road to Clear Lake.
Thanks for the input!
Andy
Edit: If you are going to be in the San Juans in late July, I would advise on bringing a higher clearance vehicle anyway due to the amount of other great photo locations that would be much easier to check out if you had one.
I couldn't agree more!