China Wall
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Terryall and McCurdy Mountain
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Moderate - 5 FR 212, 204 6.5 9,040 ft. Rock - 3 1-2 hours
County:	Park
Adopted by:	Colorado 4 Wheelers	P.O. Box 25666 Colorado Springs, CO 80936
Managed by:	Pike and San Isabel National Forest, south Park Ranger District	P.O. Box 219, 320 Hwy 285 Fairplay, CO 80440	719-836-2031
Summary:	China Wall is a short 4WD road loop near the town of Tarryall, Colorado in the Puma Hills. It gives you access to the Box Canyon hiking trail.
Attractions:	There are two rock steps to navigate, two some what steep down, or up, hill sections, access to ??? creek, and a large rock slab to climb or decend that is optional.
Seasonal Closure:
Best Time:	June - Still may be snowed in July - Best August - Best September - May see early snows October - Possible snow
Trail Heads Accessed:	Box Canyon Trail
Camping:	There is dispersed camping at the west end with easier access for trailers. The north end near Box Canyon trail head has dispersed camping as well as a few spots to the south of the trail head.
Base Camp:	This would not be a good area to base camp. There are few other 4WD roads in the area.
Fall Colors:	Poor - There are few aspen trees in the area.
Navigation:	From Fairplay, CO. head northeast on US-285 North for 15.9 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 77 and to 28.4 miles. Turn right onto a dirt road to start the China Wall 4WD road. If you continue another mile and a half on County Rd 77 you will come to the other end of the China Wall 4WD road. From Woodland Park, CO. head southwest on US-24 West for 20.8 miles. Turn right onto County Rd 77/Tarryall Road and go 8.0 miles. Keep left at the fork and continue 3.3 miles to a right turn off County Rd 77 onto a dirt road. This is the China Wall 4WD road.
History:
Description:
There are two access roads at the west end, FR 212 and FR 212.A, that connect before climbing up onto the China Wall. Look for the new signs placed at the access roads by the Colorado 4 Wheelers. After this connection you will come to a climb that immediately has a left and right turn going around the China Wall. Take the right as it is on the Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), the left route is not. After climbing the side of the Wall the road will level out onto a saddle. The road will head down hill toward the north after a sharp turn. In just over a half mile from the turn you will come to an intersection with FR 204. Taking the right turn will lead you to the rock obstacles. Within a quarter mile the road will drop into a narrow gulch. There will be a few small steps before the main obstacle, a large step with two or three possible lines. After crossing this obstacle the road will climb up and then snake its way down over a small hill. At the bottom there is private property, stay on FR 204. Poser Rock As the road heads toward the north through a large area without trees there is a rock slab on the right. This is "Poser Rock", an alternate route. It is a very steep short climb to the top. Once on top it ties back into the main road. The road will continue north heading back into the trees. As you enter the forest again there is a steep down hill section with multiple lines. As the road levels out you will come to a few camping spots near Terryall Creek before the road ends at an old crossing of Terryall Creek. From here back track to the intersection of FR 204 and FR 212. Continue on FR 204 to the north. The road will wind through the forest and pas some large boulders. In about 1/3 of a mile the road will wind through some large rocks and down a steep switchback before passing the Box Canyon trail head. Shortly after the trail head the road will intersect with County Road 77.
Data updated September 21, 2011        4WD Road driven September 3, 2011        Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2012