Escaping The Nutshell

2021-03-09 View toward Estes Park from start of Hell Canyon FR123

On March 9, 2021, starting at the junction of Hell Canyon Forest Road 123 and US Hwy 36, adjacent to Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, we headed north on the forest road to the pass on top of the ridge at about 8,600 ft then continued following the road down until about the same elevation as where we started (about 7,900 ft).

2021-03-09 View toward Estes Park from Hell Canyon FR123

At this point the road got a little too muddy and snowy to continue. Turning around there and returning to the pass, we took a trail to a high point on the ridge where we got a good view of Blue Mountain, Nixon Park and Panorama Peak.

2021-03-09 Blue Mountain and Nixon Park from trail off Hell Canyon FR123

There was a little too much snow to continue on to Panorama Peak. The GPS batteries pooped out at the start of this diversion so only a tiny part of it is shown on the tracks. We then headed back on the road by which we came.

2021-03-09 Sign at start of Hell Canyon Road FR123

GPS tracks