Ironclads  |
| Maps: |
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| USGS 7.5' Map: |
Raymond |
| Statistics: |
| Difficulty: |
Number: |
Miles: |
Altitude: |
Obstacles: |
Time: |
| Moderate 5 |
FR216, FR216.1A |
2.78 |
8,520 to 10,020 ft. |
Rock - 1
Climb - 1 |
1-2 hours |
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| County: |
Boulder |
| Adopted by: |
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| Managed by: |
Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest,
Boulder Ranger District |
2140 Yarmouth St.
Boulder, CO 80301 |
(303)444-6600 |
| Summary: |
Ironclads is a short challenging side loop off of the Bunce School Road, FR105, that passes a small rock climbing area and climbs to the north side of the Ironclads. |
| Attractions: |
Steep climb and one rocky obstacle. Access to a small rock climbing area. |
Seasonal
Closure: |
Closed by heavy snows. |
| Best Time: |
June - Good, snow should be gone.
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - May get early snow. |
Trail Heads
Accessed: |
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| Camping: |
Ironclads has dispersed camp sites around the rock climbing spot right after you start the 4WD road. |
| Base Camp: |
This would be a good area to base camp to explore other 4WD roads in the area like T-33 Crash Site, Middle St. Vrain, FR114, Rock Creek, FR116.2, and Taylor Mountain, FR330. |
| Fall Colors: |
Good. There are aspen groves all along the Ironclads 4WD road. |
| Navigation: |
From Allenspark, Colorado head southeast on Highway 7 for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 105/Bunce School Road and continue to follow Forest Rd 105 for 1.0 mile and turn right to start the Ironclads 4WD Road.
From Lyons, Colorado take Main Street west and turn left onto CO-7. Continue to follow CO-7 W
14.8 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 105/Bunce School Road and continue to follow Forest Rd 105
for 1.0 mile and turn right to start the Ironclads 4WD Road.
From Nederland, Colorado head west on West 2nd Street. This becomes Highway 72, the Peak to Peak Highway. Continue to follow CO-72 W for 20.7 mile. Turn left onto Forest Road 217.1 0.8 miles.
Turn left onto Forest Road 105 and go 0.2 miles. Turn right to start the Ironclads 4WD Road.
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| History: |
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| Description: |
Just after starting the Ironclads 4WD road you will come to a wide area with spur roads going toward a group of large rock outcrops. This an area where people do rock climbing and repelling. There are a number of dipsersed campsites around the rocks as well. Past this area the road will climb over a short ridge of rock and weave through the semi open forest. At about a half mile in you will come to an intersection. Both roads go to the top of the ridge behind the Ironclads. The road on the left is steep and has a rocky switchback that must be navigated. The road to the right continues through the forest for a short distance before beginning its steep climb to the top of the ridge.
After the two roads come back together again you will climb the last narrow steep section before reaching the top of the ridge on the north side of the Ironclads. The road will continue down a scenic valley along the west side of the Ironclads for just less than a mile before you reach private property. Be aware that even if there is not sign or gate at this point. The connection to the Bunce School Road at the bottom of the valley is gated and you will need to return the way you came.
On your return trip down from the ridge, take the opposite road from the one you chose at the intersections to experience all of the Ironclads route.
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Data updated - February 11, 2020
4WD Road driven - August, 2008
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