RM Off
Road Series (ORS) #6a: Spring Creek Trail
This cache is the third of
seven in my #6a series
(
counting Joe Friday's cache at the staging
area)
of off-road caches located
along the difficult Spring Creek Trail route. This route runs
for 5 miles from the I70 south frontage road near Idaho Springs, to
Spring Gulch Road. The suggested return route is via Spring
Gulch Road where my
#6 series is located, but you can also return via Saxon
Mountain Road where my
#2 series is located.
Cache
Information
This cache is located near the
second obstacle. This obstacle is relatively easy but it is a
little scary because it is along the shelf road. There are
great views from this location.
RM Off Road Series #6a
Complete Cache Listing (I70 Frontage Road to Spring Gulch
Road)
1.
Joe's 4-Wheeling Cache (Staging Area, By Joe Friday)
2.
First Obstacle
3.
Second Obstacle
4.
Lunch Spot (aka OOPS)
5.
Third Obstacle
6.
Rock Garden
7.
I Made It!
Note: List edited 7/30/07 to add Lunch Spot (aka
OOPS)
Trail Information
Rating/Description
This trail is rated difficult and make no
mistake about it, it is difficult. You will definitely
need a capable off road vehicle with a minimum of a lift, large
tires and skid plates. To get over the first obstacle, you
will probably need lockers or a winch assist although you can
bypass the first obstacle. Disclaimer: You need to decide for
yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your
vehicle.
The trail starts at a small staging area
at N39 45.777 W105 38.015 (on waypoint list below). Shortly
after the trail starts, you will come to a "Y" at N39 45.752 W105
37.780 (on waypoint list below). If you go straight, you will
be headed to the first obstacle. If you go left, you will
bypass the first obstacle, meeting up with the trail right above
the obstacle. You can walk down a short distance from where
the trail connects and check out the first obstacle at N39 45.654
W105 37.618 (on waypoint list below). From the first
obstacle, you will be driving on shelf roads and will meet up with
the second obstacle (relatively easy) while on the shelf
roads. The third obstacle is more difficult than the second,
but is not as difficult as the first (I did it without
lockers). After passing the third obstacle, you will
eventually come to the Rock Garden which will take a while to get
through because of the numerous rock obstacles. Once through
the rock garden, it is only a short distance to the top of the
trail.
After you reach the top of the trail,
there are numerous ways back to the highway, but it recommended
that you take a left on Spring Gulch Road and do the
RM Off Road Series #6 caches. You can also take a right
to Saxon Mountain Road and do the
RM Off Road Series #2 caches along that road.
Winter
Months
This trail is probably closed in the winter months, but it is not
advisable to attempt this trail in the winter if it is
open.
Time/Distance
The entire trail as described above is approximately 5 miles and
should take about 3 to 4 hours driving time plus 1.5 to 2 hours to
get back to the road from the top of the trail. You will also
need to include time for finding the caches, exploring, sight
seeing, lunch, etc.
Trail
Waypoints
See waypoint list below. (Entering from the frontage road on the
North end)