Fortymile Ridge Road

Gwen T

New Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Messages
1
Hello to those that know (and those that don't)! Planning on Coyote Gulch in early-mid May this year and I have a questions about the Fortymile Ridge Rd, as there seems to be varying info, but not much that's current. We'd like to do the trip as a loop, in via Crack in the Wall, out via the sneaker route at Jacob Hamblin Arch. While I'm pretty confident that we won't be able to reach the Crack in the Wall TH, I was at least under the impression that we could make it to the Water Tanks TH, but a conversation with a Ranger out of GSENM just now says even that's a no-go. We'll be driving an older Mazda Tribute which is fine on clearance (better than my Outback, I believe) BUT LACKS THE 4wd/awd (it's FWD). So the question is... yay or nay on reaching Water Tanks in a 2WD Mazda Tribute. Much appreciation is advance for any and all input.

Gwen
 
We made it the Crack in the Wall a couple of years ago with a 4x4 suv with decent clearance. The conditions are constantly changing and a ranger would actually know the current conditions. It would a a very expensive tow to get out of there if you were stuck.
 
Granted conditions change, but my neighbors drove to the Water Tank TH this past fall in a 2WD truck with no issues. I was last there a year prior and there were avoidable ruts, doable with 2WD with careful navigation. Worst case, you can park a little lower down the hill and walk the last steep bit.
 
Park on the knoll halfway in-between... the road walk will be the same and you don't have to worry about the soft sand.. which is the bigger worry
 
Last edited:
I did CG in late June (!!), and there is now sand between Hole in the Rock road and the water tower parking. I saw quite a few 4x4s parked along this road, but most seemed to be rentals.

I have an Outback with truck tires, and she made it no problems what so ever. The sand was DEEP, but was well traveled, if that makes sense. I am heading back next month, so conditions could change - but i am betting there will always be tis sandy section (and it is on the uphill section).

We parked at the water tower, and walked the road to the TH - but the Outback would've made it. There was a stock Crosstrek that made it to the TH, so no doubt I would've been ok.

If you are doing the whole loop, parking at the tower might be better as it cost down your hike time one the way out.
 
My Honda Civic made it to the water tank easily two weeks ago and drove out with no issues this Sunday. It appears, at least for now, that the sand is gone. Even if you can't make it too far down the road, I believe it should only add a couple of miles to the hike. I recommend allen's 1 night itinerary down hurricane and out crack in the wall, but YMMV.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Nick Escalante access from Fortymile Ridge Trip Planning 7
BeardoMcGrath Willow/Fortymile Exploration: 10-12 May 2023 Backpacking 9
Nick Fortymile & Willow Gulch Loop Backpacking 14
seaview53 Chinese Wall - ridge walk thoughts and suggestions Trip Planning 2
scatman Parley's Ridge - May 20, 2023 Hiking & Camping 21
scatman Black Mountain Ridge - May 13, 2023 Hiking & Camping 49
scatman Van Cott Ridge - April 29, 2023 Hiking & Camping 7
scatman North Ridge of City Creek Canyon - February 4, 2023 Hiking & Camping 17
scatman South Ridge of City Creek Canyon - January 28, 2023 Hiking & Camping 4
SteveR Amazing Akamina Ridge Hiking & Camping 4
scatman West Millcreek Ridge - July 10, 2022 Hiking & Camping 22
scatman East Millcreek Ridge - July 2, 2022 Hiking & Camping 21
scatman Millcreek Ridge Planning Trip Planning 22
Yvonne Climbing Mount Saint Helens via Monitor Ridge Route, July 2021 Hiking & Camping 16
scatman Foothill Follies Part 2 - Black Mountain Ridge and City Creek Canyon Loop - November 11, 2021 Hiking & Camping 6
TheMountainRabbit Horse Ridge to Mount Febbas (Fitzpatrick Wilderness) - July 2021 Backpacking 24
travel2walk Lamar River, Pelican Valley, & Speciman Ridge loop - Yellowstone, Jun 29 to Jul 3, 2021 Backpacking 15
Perry Dahlgreen Ridge - A Navigationally Challenged Day Hiking & Camping 8
scatman Neff's Ridge Loop - June 13, 2020 Hiking & Camping 10
scatman Parley's Ridge or Subaru to Jeep - April 25, 2020 Hiking & Camping 20
Perry Day Hike Exploring the Wasatch Ridge Line Hiking & Camping 5
Hiker Seth Franconia Ridge today Hiking & Camping 7
NorthwestWanderer Uncle visits Washington (Ptarmigan Ridge, Slate Peak & Wing Lake) Backpacking 4
Perry Middle Fork Blacks Fork Ridge Way Trail - Does It Exist? Hiking & Camping 5
SteveR Pocaterra Ridge, Alberta Hiking & Camping 7
NorthwestWanderer Poet Ridge - Glacier Peak Wilderness Hiking & Camping 3
scatman Van Cott Ridge - April 20, 2019 Hiking & Camping 5
balzaccom Comb Ridge and Wash Trip Planning 8
Ugly Snowy Dawn Traverse on Deer Ridge Hiking & Camping 6
NorthwestWanderer Ptarmigan Ridge, Mt. Baker Wilderness WA Backpacking 8
NorthwestWanderer Delancy Ridge via Driveway Butte, Okanogan NF, WA (5/20) Hiking & Camping 3
AbinadiWitness Part 1: Telluride Via Ferrata and Mount Sneffels SW Ridge from Blue Lakes- Colorado Trip # 1 - 2017 Backpacking 0
JDWalters Pioneer Ridge Trail, Hiking & Camping 6
Wanderlust073 Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness / Rattlesnake Canyon maps Trip Planning 6
Adventure monkey Steve Allen's exit out of Happy Canyon to the Big Ridge. Trip Planning 17
M VIDEO - Mt. Lindsey (14,042 ft) Northwest Ridge Hiking & Camping 0
piper01 Wolfman Panel, Comb Ridge/Valley of the Gods Hiking & Camping 3
Udink Nine Mile Canyon XIV: Warrior Ridge Hiking & Camping 4
WasatchWill A Recon Trip Around Comb Ridge Hiking & Camping 6
TannerT Adam's Canyon North Ridge 1/23 Hiking & Camping 10
Artemus Multimodal Transport on Wham Ridge Backpacking 41
Vegan.Hiker A Farewell to Fall along the Shawangunk Ridge Hiking & Camping 6
kansas ruins at Comb Ridge Trip Planning 3
kansas roads along Comb Ridge Trip Planning 6
Udink Price Canyon Recreation Area to Ford Ridge Hiking & Camping 4
scatman Millcreek Ridge - July 3, 2015 Hiking & Camping 25
T GSMNP Sunkota Ridge, Thomas Divide, Noland Divide, Deep Creek Backpacking 4
hatchcanyon Trough Spring Ridge Off Road 4
scatman Grandeur Peak - Dragon's Tail Ridge Route - November 28, 2014 Hiking & Camping 19
toejam Mission Pine Ridge Hiking & Camping 5

Similar threads

Back
Top