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!