RED CONE, WEBSTER PASS & HANDCART GULCH

Red Cone trail is an iconic Colorado trail that runs along with the continental divide up to 12,800+ feet above sea level, then down to Webster Pass. Known for it's steep descent from the peak to Webster Pass, this trail will give you everything an off roader could ask for. From breath taking scenery of alpine Alpine forest at the start of the trail to the zone above tree line that gift you with stimulating mountain vistas that exposes endless peaks in every direction. And yes there are a few "rocks to play on" in the lower section.
Taking the Southern turn at Webster will put you on Hand Cart Gulch which will loop you back to the start of Red Cone Trail.
The trail is easy to moderate.
The loop is only accessible mid July to early October each year so planning is key for this trail.
Round trip with stops, the trail can take up to 5 or even 7 hours. Make a day of it.
Don't rush and bring your camera.

[@GoatOffroad]

That was amazing! Absolutely incredible views! I would love to take the Goat up there! Drastic difference from your trip to the PNW! 😄 Red Cone looked one-way, no passing- so you better look ahead 😳 Loved the hat! 😉 Great video; you’re a natural in front of the camera ❤️🐞

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Lol, thank ya. Yeah dramatic differences. I hope to have my PNW series done soonish. When yall are in the area, it wil be a treat to show ya around the peaks here. And heck yeah, this hat is better than lockers on the trail lol.

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Oh and yes, Red cone steep decent is a one way only down.

[@GoatOffroad]

I heard it gives you an extra 10HP on the trail too 🤣

[@leftystrat62]

Anyone notice the Jeeps @8:45 are the guys from "Red Cone Off-Road Trail: A Colorado Rite of Passage" @23:23 on their video :)

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Awesome you notice that. Yeah we chatted with them and I commented on their video of us coming down as they did their shot.

[@kchiang322]

Awesome video. Did you start from HandCart Gulch?

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Thank you and yeah we all met at the Handcart Gulch Parking area on country road 60 (off 285 west of Bailey). From there the Red Cone and Handcart trails spilt right away. It was a big loop to run it that way and was about a 4-5 hour ride. We were in a hurry to beat storms on radars. But note that Webster pass ledge road holds snow till mid or late July so if ya plan to run it next year, keep this in mind. Also first snow closes it for the season in the fall.

[@kchiang322]

@@SkyBlueOffRoad Thanks for the update and tips. So basically i should be able to start from Hwy285 and come out Montezuma i70 side? and i will definitely look into weather and stuff before i go. Thanks again!!

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

@@kchiang322 Yeah, coming down red cone, at Webster Pass, go Right and it goes to straight to Montezuma and on to i70. Go left at webster, go back to where ya started.

[@ryandillon2097]

Hey man just came across your channel love the TJ!! I have a very similar setup, getting ready to go from 33s to 35s are you running 15x8 rims or 15x10? Thanks! Subbed

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

I am running the 17x8 rim with 35s and was running a 15x8 when I was on 33s. I have seen a lot of busted beads on the 10s. My thinking is, the narrow rim will have more pressure "forgiveness" on the bead to tolerate more side wall flexn holding the bead vs the 10s not having bead resistance and folding in. I know crazy thinking hahah. May be crazy but have yet to bust a bead and I am always at 11psi in all these videos. Thanks for checking it out and hope ya enjoy the videos coming soon.

[@ryandillon2097]

Awesome man thanks exactly the info I needed, I wasn’t sure about clearance with the 15x8s with the 8.8 rear but it obvi works! I really like the look of your jeep got me thinking about 17x8 now!! 🤔

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

The TJ has 4 inches of lift, 35x12.50 on 17x8 and I think 3.5 back space, front is a dana 44 HP out of a 78 F250 (stock 4.10 gear and carrier) with yukon mini-spool and chromoly shafts stretched forward about 1.25 inches. Rear is out of an 01 Explorer with stock 4.10 gears and limited slip, I am running 2 inch spacers on the rear to match the full width of the front axle.

[@ryandillon2097]

I did the 8.8 with ultimate 88 kit already I’m on 33s right now I was going to do the front axle with something similar but I might just say heck with it an get the 35s first! I know the Dana 30 will break at some point but might just wheel it till it does! 4.88 gears as well

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Honestly, 35s on a dana 30 is perfectly fine. People do it all the time and on a light weight Tj it is even less risky. I have seen some XJ dudes straight up floor it , bounce their way up and over and never break. I would run 35s all day on a dana 30. I just went to this build so I can do 37 or 38s in the future when I build a 9 inch rear.

[@flushiez]

I did red cone not even a month ago and got caught in a snow storm at tree line

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

This was the first year it did not snow/rain on us. Weather was rather perfect compared to years past hahah.

[@roymohr7599]

Does anyone ever pull a trailer on these passes...we will be coming from the east coast and working our way from Denver to NM and were going to do Webster's but I will have my XV3 trailer and not sure if I should take it on the pass or see about parking it somewhere and pick it back up when finished running the trail...suggestions appreciated as we are from Georgia (flat landers) :-)

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

I have not seen it done much up here. I guess it all depends on how brave you feel hahaha. Not sure I would want to tow up there. If you run this loop in the video, there is plenty of parking at the trail head for a trailer. My only concerns would be the steep loose sections. But there are several ways to get to Webster and all those trails have steep gravely sections too. And all those options have camps sites you could park the trailer in for the day.

[@waynekerr5728]

That a 3 in lift on 35’s?

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Yeah..3.5" front 3" rear. 1978 f250 hp dana44 front axle. 1999 explorer rear 8.8 axle

[@waynekerr5728]

@@SkyBlueOffRoad I’m trying to decide what to do with the Jeep. 2.5 lift 33s or 3 inch and and 35s.

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

@@waynekerr5728 I was on 33s a year ago. Started my build years ago with 2.5 springs on 31s...then went to 33s...then added one inch pucks to fir 35s. I will eventually do full 4 inch springs but for now, It abides haha. but 2.5 on 33s is a great stance and look in my opinion. I ran all over moab on 33s and that set up and kept up with my buddies on 35 no problem. My old TJ is year 6 of the build plan hahaha

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

@@waynekerr5728 Look at my older videos and you'll see the tj on 33s and see what i mean

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

@@waynekerr5728 This link is to this same trail when i did it on 31s....kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ7Cq6yviM-tipY

[@jeepgirljody]

I drove around up there in my stock TJ - got stuck too - 25 years ago. O|||||||O

[@jeepgirljody]

Not Red Cone the other side there at Webster pass and above Geneva.

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

It is usually passable around July 4th weekend.

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

You should give it go this summer