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McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 4:00 pm
by Snowtrout
Just thought I would pass on that the McKinley Grove road opened on May 1. Was up there over the weekend and already people have heard as the roads were busy, people out and camping wherever they could find a spot since all of the campgrounds.

Snow is melting fast (water from the Kings flowing into Wishon was moving) and snow level looks to be above 7500'. After the heat wave next week, I would expect the road to Courtright to open in the next 2-3 weeks.

Re: McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 4:20 pm
by kdemtchouk
How far is the road open? Is it open all the way to some of the trailheads past Wishon (Woodchuck, Crown Valley)?

Re: McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 8:31 pm
by Snowtrout
I didn't go across the dam but I have never seen a gate on the main roads to the trailheads.

Re: McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 1:49 pm
by paul
Last year I was up there soon after the road was open, and could drive across the Wishon dam, but that was it. Snow was piled up right past the little parking area on the east end of the dam. I think there was a gate there also, but even with no gate you weren't going to drive past that pile on anything other than an ATV or snowmobile. Probably less snow this year, but if indeed there is a gate there it might be closed.

Re: McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 2:10 pm
by kdemtchouk
Thanks, everyone! Headed up there tomorrow, will report back what I find.

Re: McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 2:53 pm
by Sierra_Summits
Any updates on how far you can drive? Wishon? Courtwright?

Thanks!

Re: McKinley Grove Road Open

Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 6:57 am
by kdemtchouk
I was able to drive to Wishon and all the way to the Crown Valley trailhead. I didn’t try to go in the direction of Courtright, but did see cars turning onto the road to go there.