BALLARD ROAD, Colorado

Due to the unusually heavy snowfalls about a month ago (64 inches) most trails in the Fort Collins area are still closed for the spring water runoff. Based on recommondations from other 4-wheelers, we approach two trails which are most likely to be open: Kelly Flats and Sevenmile Road. Unfortunately, the gates to both trails are still locked until probably next weekend. A local rancher confirms our suspicion that the only open trail is Ballard Road.

Ballard Road is located west of Fort Collins off State Route 14, a very scenic drive through Buckhorn Canyon, and is about 6 miles long. Most of the trail runs through public land interspersed with private property. It starts as a fairly well maintained and wide dirt road but narrows and becomes steeper as it winds up the mountain. Several private drives leave the trail on both sides but they are clearly marked and it's easy to stay at the main trail. When the road intersects with trail 129 keep left and continue uphill.

We follow the directions in the extremely helpful book "Guide to Colorado Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Vol. 2" by Charles A. Wells and work our way up the trail. The terrain is very easy at the beginning, starts to get a little rougher and is supposed to become more challenging towards the end. However, when we ascent the road we get into muddy sections which can easily be passed but soon the snow gets deeper and covers the entire trail. We finally shift into 4WD and keep going. It is a fun ride, sliding in the deep snow but unfortunately the 'pretty white' gets about 1.5 feet deep and we cannot make it any further. The weather is nice and very warm so it is amazing that there is still so much snow left to make your travel impossible.
We turn around and head back the way we came.

It might be a fun trail but sadly enough we were not able to try out the really challenging part of it but in summer (best time is August and September) there should be no problem getting there.

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Directions: From Fort Collins head west on Hwy 14 into LaPorte where it becomes County Rd. 54G. Follow signs to Rist Canyon on County Rd. 52E for about 13 miles until it intersects with Stove Prairie Road (County Rd. 27) where you turn left. Go about 4 miles and turn right into Buckhorn Rd. 44H. Follow this for 10.2 miles to Ballard Road 129.