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The South Platte River is a great place to fish or even to
swim on a hot summer day.
Most of the trail to Custer’s Cabin can be done without
4Wheel drive, but there is this one small … (very small … so small it’s hardly
worth mentioning … trust me) … obstacle that does require some extra
traction. We call it Chicken Scratch
Hill.
The only real problem with Chicken Scratch is by the time
you find out you can’t get up it, it’s too late. Once you go down, the only way to go anywhere
else is to go back up the hill. We have
winched some folks up that hill in the past when their vehicle just would not
do it without help.
The reason Chicken Scratch is a problem is because it is
made up of very loose, pea-sized gravel.
Getting traction in that stuff is like trying to walk on marbles. The faster you go, the behinder you get.
Every once in a while, the forest service will go in and
level out the humps and bumps so it’s easy to get up, but eventually, it’s back
to its old self again. By the time you reach Chicken Scratch, you are within sight
of the river and Custer’s Cabin, so if you are not sure about driving it, be
sure you have your hiking shoes along.
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The rest of the trail is easy and campsites or picnic spots
are everywhere. The scenic beauty of the
forest is absolutely gorgeous and it is an easy day trip from Denver.
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