Moody Hill
Maps/GPS:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Crystal Mountain, Buckhorn Mountain
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Moderate 7 FR 132, 513 7.33 6,600 to 8,640 ft. Rock - 1 Area - 1 2-4 hours
County:	Larimer
Adopted by:	Larimer County 4WD Club (Mountaineers)	2549 Newport Drive Fort Collins, CO 80526	(970)221-5524
Managed by:	Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest, Canyon Lakes Ranger District	2150 Centre Ave. Bldg. E Fort Collins, CO 80526	(970)295-6700
Summary:	Moody Hill is a moderately difficult 4WD road west of Fort Collins. Going from east to west Moody Hill starts with a steep climb before leveling out and connecting in with the Crystal Mountain road.
Attractions:	Obstacles. Rock Crawl area. Scenery.
Seasonal Closure:	Agency - December 1 to June 14
Best Time:	June - Early season. Snow drifts may be encountered at the western end. July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Possible snow drifts, east end
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	All of the spur roads off of FR513 and FR132 have campsites on them.
Base Camp:	This would be a good area to base camp. Other 4WD roads close to here include Ballard Road FR129, Greer Road FR154, and Storm Mountain FR153, FR128.
Fall Colors:	The Moody Hill area was burned during the Cameron Peak fire in 2020. Small aspen and pine are starting to regrow in the area.
Navigation:	From Fort Collins, CO. head north on South Taft Hill Rd toward W Mulberry Street for 0.4 miles. Continue onto North Taft Hill Road for 0.6 miles. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on North Taft Hill Road for 2.0 miles. Turn left onto County Rd 54G/U.S. 287 B and go 2.3 miles. Take a slight left onto West County Rd 52E/Tobe Miller Lane and continue to follow West County Rd 52E for 6.5 miles. Turn right onto West County Rd 52E/Rist Canyon Road and go 6.8 miles. Turn left onto North County Rd 27/Stove Prairie Road and go 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Buckhorn Road/West Coounty Rd 44H and go 1.5 miles. Turn left onto FR 513. Just before the left turn is a parking area on the right side of 44H.
History:
Description:
Moody Hill 4WD road begins from a small parking area off of Larimer County road 44H. It immediately climbs up into the forest with some switchbacks. Start from 44H photo by: Adam M Continued climb photo by: Adam M Within a mile you will come to a rock ledge across the road, the main obstacle for the Moody Hill road besides the quarry area. Ben Obstacle (2013) photo by: Adam M Paula K Obstacle (2023) photo by: Adam M After the main obstacle you will continue across a small valley and then come to an intersection with FR513A on your right. This road goes to two campsites. Stay left and continue to climb up the ridge. Heading through the burned area photo by: Adam M As the road tops out on the ridge you will pass the intersection with FR513B on your left. This road goes a short distance to a campsite. After continuing on the main road you will enter an open meadow area and climb along its edge. Paula K, Craig, K Upper section (2013) photo by: Adam M Adam M Upper section (2013) photo by: Kris Upper section meadow after fire photo by: Adam M The road will climb a steep hill over some rocky ruts before coming to a main intersection. There will be a spur road on your right, FR513C which is under a half mile long that goes to two campsites. The main intersection just past this spur road is where FR513 ends. Continuing straight will be FR132 which goes 0.6 miles to the rock crawl play area, or Rock Quarry, which is a large open outcropping with multiple routes to the top. Rock Quarry photo by: Adam M Rock Quarry photo by: Adam M Rock Quarry photo by: Adam M Back at the intersection a left will take you on FR132 to another intersection. This would be a good area to camp with large flat spots available. From the intersection a right will take you to a forested saddle on FR132B which ends in less than a half mile from the saddle. A left at the intersection will continue on the main FR132. You will head southwest through the forest passing a campsite on the right. Next you will come to another intersection with a spur road on the left. This road goes to a private home. Stay right on the main road. Southwest end of FR132 photo by: Adam M After a bit you will come to another intersection with spur road FR132C on your right. This road is a short loop road that has a few campsites. Continue left on the main road and you will come to the intersection with the Crystal Mountain Road, FR344. This is a graded road. A right will take you back down to County Road 44H.
Data updated: August 5, 2023      4WD Road driven July 22, 2023       Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2023