Barbour Fork

Gates have been closed for the season.

Ran with Front Range 4x4 as we were doing our "fall" trail maintenance/cleanup in conjunction with the Forest Service. Stock Gladiator - I turned around at ~waypoint 11. The trail is tight and dug out pretty deep in that area.

Like other recent reviews have noted, trail has been graded essentially to WP6. Still an enjoyable trial. We turned around at WP 12 Due to time constraints. It is a bummer that all the early obstacles are gone!

Ran out to waypoint 8 and back as a quick afternoon activity (4th gen 4Runner, ~3" lift, ~32" tires). The first two gatekeeper obstacles (wypts 2 and 3) no longer exist, apparently due to some recent grading, so the trail is pretty easy (albeit narrow in places) up to wypt 6. The current gatekeeper obstacle is now wypt 6, the first big rocky climb. The photos on here don't capture it well -- it's a series of rocky ledges with a few ways of getting up, all of which are non-trivial but very doable and fun in a lightly modified vehicle (but not doable in a RAV4). The view from wypt 8 was a bit underwhelming, but will probably be better once the leaves start to change. Five stars for the fun challenging obstacles at wypt 6 and between wypts 7 and 8.

Not only is the trail no longer a loop as others have mentioned but it appears they have taken a bulldozer and bladed half the trail, covering some of the fun obstacles with dirt. It was quite the disappointment to find. You could do this trail is a rav 4 now.

I’m going to give this 4 stars just because it’s no longer a loop which are always better than our and backs IMO. Also if you were to run this on a busy weekend there are many spots where it would be very difficult to pass or backup if you are the downhill vehicle. As for the trail itself, it is a lot of fun. I’d say the rating is spot on. You don’t need a super built rig for it but I’d recommend some ground clearance and at least some option beyond just standard 4L As other pointed out the gates are basically in front of way points 14 and 15 so going the clockwise direction is about a 5 min trip. I recommend stopping and turning back at either waypoint 12 or 13 as there is not much to see beyond that now.

Thanks to all members leaving a review letting us know this is partially open. We will be updating the trail guide shortly.

Like another person posted, it's unfortunately no longer a loop. Still a fun trail though. Since there are quite a few little rock obstacles on the way, the out and back of both pieces of the fork are worth it, that's what we did. The trail rating is accurate for stock or slightly modified 4x4's, mostly because of tight turns, clearances, and rock areas. For us in the rzr, I'd say it was more of a 3 or 4, not very hard, but fun nonetheless!

THIS TRAIL IS NO LONGER A LOOP. I ran into US Forest Service today at the trailhead after discovering new gates at the private property boundary (see brown square in a screenshot below). I talked to them a while and they informed me that the land is and always has been private property. The old land owner did not care about the trail crossing his land. This land recently was sold to a new owner and they do not want to allow access anymore. This is sad, but the owners are well within their rights to do so. The USFS gentlemen told me that nothing bad happened, etc. The new land owners simply have different plans for the property. That said, as an out and back, it's a fun trail and well worth it still. Fun challenges for lightly modified to fully built rigs.

Open for the season! Please say on the trail!

Fun trail that was not incredibly difficult (32" tires, 2.5" lift - Toyota Tacoma), a few spots where you have to watch your line but very navigable. Trail was completely clear no snow or ice.

Still a great trail! Does not appear anyone has been on it recently as there was a small downed tree on the trail near waypoint 16, but it was not very big and snapped in half just barely trying to remove it. I have done this trail a couple of times and really enjoy it. Not difficult really with just a couple spots that may cause some issues. First time I ran it I was not disconnected and lifted tires a couple times. I am now running a JLUR on 35's and 2" lift and had no scarping or tires come off ground. Vehicles not disconnected or lacking articulation will probably have to be cautious on your line or just be aware you'll be 3 wheeling at times. Trail will be closing soon due to end of season, but it is 100%clear of any moisture or snow.

Ran this trail counter clock-wise in a 3rd gen DCSB TRD off road used the locker a few time. Which made the trail not really too sketcky just steep and rocky section at picture 7. The trojan hill at picture 11 wasn't too bad about the same grade as red cone. Slider and armor definitely help in certain areas.

Did this for the first time today, the trail is a lot of fun. I have a lifted GX470 and only hit the diff once….barely…..and it was my own fault . Fun obstacles, I agree with others that a spotter really helps. If you know what you’re doing and pick the right lines, it’s pretty straight forward. An inexperienced driver could tip it in a few spots for sure. We went on a Friday and only saw two other Jeeps, both lifted Rubicon’s. I’m guessing in most stock rigs you could do it but might hit bottom quite a bit. It’s very pretty through trees and some of the meadows look like something out of Sound of Music, must be all the rain. I’ll come back to this one for sure, it’s so close to Denver.

I think this might be one of my favorite trails around the Idaho Springs Area. It is on the moderate side of hard, definitely not for lower clearance vehicles and even a stock Rubicon would drag on the first obstacle. There are a few options on some of the bigger obstacles to take a little hard line or keep it easy. It is definitely tight in places and we drug the roof all through the trail on lower hanging branches. Not sure if it was just luck but the forest was very wet and felt like offroading in the Pacific North West. We all thought this would be a good intro trail for ride along passengers to see what a jeep can do without getting too extreme and scaring them etc. No crazy shelfs and some good rocks to climb. Overall the trail is in great condition, water crossings are not very deep and the mud puddles were just enough for a good splash but no risk of making a huge mess. The wild flowers are out and the meadows are nice and green.

Spoke to the ranger and the gates are open for the season.

Calvary 4-Wheelers ran Barbour Fork on Saturday, November 28, 2020 for our annual “Turkey Wheeling” trip the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Along for the run were myself in a stock TJ, my brother, Richard in a stock Ford Ranger and my nephew, Jon is his lifted XJ. The snow at the trailhead was only 6-8 inches deep so we started up without chaining up. About a quarter mile in we caught up to a group of JKURs that were having trouble. They decided they were going to head back out so we backed down to the trailhead to let them out and went ahead and chained up. With the chains on we cruised back up the trail. Richard needed a strap to get over the spot that stopped the Rubicons but we were able to get over it and keep going. We went up the back side of the loop and out to the dead end, avoiding the hardest part of the trail. The snow made it challenging but not impossible. It continued to gradually get deeper as we climbed until it was about a foot deep along the top with drifts up to 2 feet deep. We had to clear a tree as we made our way across the upper part of the trail. Fortunately it was willing to simply slide down the hill until we could pass. About a quarter mile before the end we encountered another, larger downed tree that was not so cooperative. We hiked the last little bit to the dead end and back. Getting turned around was a bit of an adventure since we were not able to get to the turnaround at the end of the trail. I was able to work my Wrangler around in about a hundred back and forth maneuvers but Richard managed to drop his Ranger off the side of the trail in his attempt. Fortunately, Jon was able to winch him back up without too much trouble and we headed back down without incident. The trail is doable if you are prepared for snow wheeling but not for much longer as the seasonal gate closed on December 15.

This will be a trail that I will definitely return to! Loved the obstacles and they definitely did test out the flex on both my rig and the rig along with me. Unfortunately, we just missed the leaves by about a week. However, this would be an awesome trail to see some fall colors if your timing is right.

Can't believe I have never done this trail until now! What an amazing trail so close to Denver. Great camping opportunities, technical obstacles, and when we went - some gorgeous bands of yellow and orange aspen trees. I highly recommend this trail if you have a lightly modified rig. A stock rig will probably do fine with an experienced driver with good tires. I can't wait to come back!!

First off this trail was a blast to run. Got up nice and early to go before work and between the beautiful weather and lack of people, it was almost a perfect combination. While having a couple technical spots, this trail is doable with a good line and spotter. This trail was doable in my '99 f-150 with the torsion keys cranked and 33's. Other than ending up on extremely narrow dead end roads, length and width was not a problem. Trojan hill was the only spot that open diffs became a problem, however with a better line and some velocity I was able to get through no problem. Overall an amazing trail to get out and have fun! Other vehicle was a Cherokee on 31's and he had roughly the same traction issues as I did.

We made it to the top clearing, hung out for a while the made out way back down. Everyone had lifts and large tires (except for me, just stock tires). We had to do some spotting going up the hill. I was told we did the easy section and it was doable for sure with the correct lines, but it is not an easy trail to do by yourself. (My opinion) Lots of fun, but have a capable vehicle, not anything less than a TRD tacoma and no renegades, compasses etc..

This trail is a lot of fun and a bit challenging. I took the left option at Waypoint 7 and got up on three wheels in my lifted JL on 37's. The rocky climbs are no joke and stock vehicles will be challenged at Waypoints 7 and 11. We saw a group of three stock Toyota pickups get turned around after not making the climb at Waypoint 11. We only saw two other built rigs on the trail. Peaceful and quiet day on the trail.

A pleasant surprise to see the trail has gotten more technical but I was still fine. I don't remember there being that many flexy sections in the beginning but those are my favorite, all in all a great day. Totally dry except the puddle at the fork but it was only a few inches deep.

Just went up here today with a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. It was extremely challenging. Not sure if others have lift kits, but the stock jeep cannot do this. Don't even try to do it alone. I made it about half way starting on the right side of the fork. The road was rutted out and we had to prop up a lot of rocks to make it through a few obstacles. We had to turn around after we attempted to go up the trail going up the mountain. I have 10.8" ground clearance and wish it was lifted a bit more. I would love to attempt this again with a lift and rock rails. I scraped up my right side by the tired on one of the obstacles.

The gate is open and the trail is clear all the way through.

Went here hoping to at least get to the first open field area. Unfortunately trail is still closed, even though it seems much of it is doable now with little snow. I also did this trail Nov 2018 and will say it was definitely a good trail to test your 4x4. Had to use lockers to make it over the tougher obstacles.

Always a good time. This trail is true to the description with a little bit of everything. It is close enough to the metro area that I run it after every build change as a shakedown. If you don't have time to run the full trail, turnaround after WP 7. This gets you to the best part!. Notes: Trojan Hill is getting a bit dug out (WP 11) at the base. I had to wait while a JKU stacked rocks and eventually winched up. Definitely watch your line on the backside of the loop (WP-15,16) if you run a smaller lift/tires. I dented my oil pan this last trip. There is a creepy camper parked at the cutoff (WP-8) this season. I have never seen anyone there and usually don't stop to check it out.

Gates are open! great little loop not too far from town. Just enough of a challenge to keep things interesting, happy to have recently added a small lift but our group included a stock Rubicon who made it without issue. Waypoint #17 left a little trail kiss on my hitch. Im not sure I would try this with a full size rig, plenty of tight areas in the trees and you can tell those particular trees have been rubbed for years.

Fun loop that's not too difficult, but has some fun spots.

My family relocated to Littleton, CO a few weeks back, and we finally were able to do a little trail exploring this weekend in our 2015 JK. The drive from south Denver to this trail was an easy and enjoyable one. And the trail did not disappoint for a newcomer to off-roading. The upwards climb, beautiful scenery (from open vistas to tight tree paths), and a few challenging rocky sections made this a blast for the whole family! Definitely worth the drive.

Fun ride today on Barbour Fork. I followed the guide (thanks!) in a stock JL Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon today with no issues. It was quiet, which was unexpected on a Saturday afternoon. I saw a total of 4 other vehicles. We'll be back.

This is a fun little loop with easy accessibility from Denver. We had the trail to ourselves. I found it to be challenging in a stock vehicle but not unpassable. Having a bit more clearance and flex is helpful. The middle section, a rocky climb through a narrow forest, was my favorite. The descent down the back side of the loop is easy.

Trail was very easy to get to from Denver. When I was there it was very dry. On the trail, follow the directions in the primary trail description as they are spot on. I was able to have cell reception for nearly the entire trail. Great scenery changes going from tight wooded trails to open meadows. I wouldn't recommend anything wider than 85" because of some narrow tree sections. A lot of low traction areas - good test for modern traction control systems, may be a challenge for open diffs without flexy suspensions.