Miller Rock 
Maps:     
USGS 7.5' Map:  Raymond
Statistics:
Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time:
Moderate - 7 FR252, 254, 523 11.74 8,600 ft. Rock - 3
River - 1		 4-5 hours
County: Boulder
Adopted by: Trailridge Runners 4WD Club P.O. Box 1716, Longmont, CO 80502  
Managed by: Roosevelt National Forest,
Boulder Ranger District		 2140 Yarmouth Ave.
Boulder, CO 80301		 (303)541-2500
Summary: Miller Rock 4WD road climbs to the top of a ridge and connects with three spurs. One drops to the other side and crosses South St. Vrain Creek, one goes east to an old sawmill site, the other goes west to Miller Rock. There is one obstalce on the climb to the top of the ridge, one on the way down to the South St. Vrain Creek and one at the base of Miller Rock.
Attractions: Rock obstcles, Water crossing, Scenic views
Seasonal
Closure:		 Agency -
Best Time: May - Early season use when other routes are still seasonally closed.
May-September - Best.
October - Late season use before heavy snows.
Trail Heads
Accessed:		  
Camping: There are dispersed camp sites at the top of the ridge, on the other side of the South St. Vrain Creek, and at the base of Miller Rock.
Base Camp: Miller Rock would not be a good place to base camp. Access is not easy. There is only one way into the Miller Rock area and it does not connect with any other 4WD roads.
Fall Colors: Poor - The forest around Miller Rock is mainly pine.
Navigation: From Lyons take Hwy 7 southwest to Riverside. Take a left turn off of Hwy 7 and follow the Middle St. Vrain Creek through the residential part of Riverside. After about a mile and a half there is a drive way to the left that immediately 'Y's to a house on the left and another on the right. If you miss this driveway you will be at a bridge that crosses the Middle St. Vrain in front of the Riverside Store. Back track to the driveway which is only a short distance back. It is tough to find. Take the driveway on the left passing by the the home which has a rock wall along the road. DO NOT STOP ALONG THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD, RESPECT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS WHOS LAND YOU ARE CROSSING. Follow the road around the house to the backyard and continue along side a small creek following the two track road through the brush. Once you get to the first turn and head away from the creek you are entering public lands and starting the climb up the ridge toward Miller Rock.
History: The one activity that took place on the ridge was to the east of the intersection at the top toward the Headache area. There was once a sawmill in a flat area that supplied timber for the surrounding towns. Today there are some building remains and the sawdust piles that have flattened out. Past the sawmill the road use to continue to the east and cross the Middle St. Vrain, then climb back up and over a ridge to the old town of Balarat. There is no access to Balarat anymore due to private property issues.
Description:
The entrance to the Miller Rock 4WD road is difficult to find because it is a private property driveway that passes and house and continues along a small creek in order to access public lands. Once you enter public lands the road becomes a shelf road and climbs up a the ridge. Close to the top you will encounter a rock ledge/step in a small chute that will offer you some challenge. Past this obstacle continue up the to the flat top of the ridge to the main intersection. To the right (west) is the road to Miller Rock. It climbs a low hill and works through the trees to an eroded gulch just below Millter Rock. On the southwest side of the Miller Rock are some dispersed campsites. There are also two rough trails through the rocks to the top of Miller Rock where you can get great views of the Continental Divide. Beyond Miller Rock the road continues as an easy two track heading west until you reach private property.
Back at the intersection, the branch that goes straight ahead (south) drops down the other side of the ridge toward the Middle St. Vrain Creek. There is a rocky section along a nearby spring that ends up running down the road for a short distance. Further down you will encouter more under brush that squeezes the road as you cross over to the other side of the gulch your following. The road is one lane and tips away from the side of the gulch. Keep and eye out for oncoming traffic. As the road widens a bit and comes out of the trees you will encouter some large boulders and drop offs just before the main rock outcropping at a curve in the road. You will drop off of the rock outcrop and have to navigate another ledge road down to the Middle St. Vrain Creek. After crossing the creek there is a meadow with dispersed campsites. The road continues up toward the Skydale Community but ther is no access to the highway and you will have to return back down to the Middle St. Vrain. This section of road is very washed out and unsafe.
Again, back at the intersection the left (east) brach heads along the top of the ridge through meadows and stands of pine. There will be a sharp right turn off of the main road, which will dead end, that continues east to the site of the old sawmill. Take the short spur road to the small saddle that has the foundations and old sawdust piles where the sawmill once operated. Just beyond this short spur the main road will end and you will have to return the way you came.
Data updated 01/21/11       4WD Road driven 07/14/09       Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2011