Fourmile Area: Shields / McGee Loop

This area is mostly easy, with sandy runs, some rocky sections and hills. All of it is suitable for a stock SUV with good ground clearance. As soon as you leave the pavement you'll be in sand, and that's the most common terrain in the area. There are muddy sections as well, but careful tire placement will get you through or around most of them. Compared to most Colorado trails there is very little embedded rock. Small whoopdees and potholes are more common on this loop. Shields Gulch / 315 follows a mostly flat path leading to a ridge full of camping spurs with views of the Collegiate peaks and the Sevenmile Creek area. The camping spurs are too numerous to list, and there are a variety of sizes and exposures for just about any camping style or group size. The first part of 315 is used to access the Midland Bike Trail, it is well marked and there are some kiosks with maps and rules near each trailhead. A local volunteer group, http://garna.org/friends-of-fourmile/ maintain the kiosks. The section of 376 that connects the trails is flat and uneventful, but beautiful and has some large flat camping spots that can accomodate large trailers. McGee Gulch / 305 is slighty rougher and narrower than 315 with more turns and small stream crossings. Some parts of the loop near popular camping, particularly on the western side, can be deeply rutted from large trucks pulling campers. We didn't have any problems with our stock Xterra.