Warning: You must not be afraid of the dark for this trip! ...and
be sure to take water, a camera, and a FLASHLIGHT.
There’s a short, steep, mildly difficult incline to get to
the trace. After that initial challenge it’s an easy and
level walk to the cache area and then another fairly steep climb to
the cache. You’ll be amazed at the beauty and history so
close to town that goes unnoticed by the vast majority of people.
Sometimes the best-kept secrets are right under our noses!
First, park your car at this grassy area between the divided
highway north of Manitou Springs: N38.52.608 W104.56.285. (If you
are coming up from Manitou or Colorado Springs you’ll need to
drive past the parking area coordinates to the turn-around at
N38.52.914 W104.57.029 then make a u-turn back down the pass).
Cross the highway on foot (careful! I am a paramedic and don't
want to meet you at this point) and walk to the trailhead a short
distance away: N38.52.587 W104.56.257.
Set your GPS unit to the top of the incline N38.52.562
W104.56.241 and look up in that direction. You’ll see the
outline of the old railroad line. This is the path you are aiming
for. This incline is the hardest part of the journey. Carefully
scale up the canyon wall to the trace and the journey is smooth and
easy until you get close to the cache. There is a tunnel past the
cache area. This is the longest and darkest tunnel. Half way into
this tunnel is a fence. If you cross the fence you are on private
property and will end up in someone's backyard.
Be sure to visit SON OF Treasure of the Abandoned Railroad
Tunnels (GCJKNE) as well, only .52 miles away!
