Rocky
Mountain (RM) Off Road Series (ORS) #18: Hancock Pass, Alpine
Tunnel
A series by:
Team Red
Rubicon.
This cache is the seventh of seven caches
in the #18 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along
the scenic Hancock Pass Trail. The Hancock Pass Trail starts
out about 20 miles south-west of Buena Vista near the cool little
ghost town of St. Elmo. This trail is a rated moderate with a
few sections of shelf road. The trail ends near the historic Alpine
Tunned (a full trail description is incuded below)
Cache Information
This cache is located
close to the Alpine Tunnel at a location where there is a large
wooden turntable for trains.
RM Off Road Series #18
Compete Cache Listing
1.
Don't Do It
2.
Rusty Tram House
3.
Hancock
4.
Got Trees?
5.
Snowfield's Last Stand
6.
Tomichi Pass View
7.
Alpine Turntable
Trail
Information
Rating/Description
Hancock Pass Trail originates from CR-162 just east of the little
ghost town of St. Elmo. The trail is easy
for the first 5 1/2 miles up to the townsite of Hancock. Just past
the townsite of Hancock, take a right at N38 38.287 W106 21.675
where the trail becomes moderate and starts to climb on your way up
to the pass. At N38 37.458 W106 22.059 you will start to climb up
the final switchbacks to the pass where the road becomes a shelf
road. Bear right at N38 36.684 W106 22.717 to stay on Hancock Pass
Trail (a left will take you to difficult Tomichi Pass). Turn right
on 839 at N38 36.827 W106 23.401 to get to Alpine Tunnel. Park at
N38 38.286 W106 24.483 to take the short hike to the tunnel. On the
return trip, you can come back the way you came, head to Pitkin on
the trail that starts at N38 36.831 W106 23.401, or head up over
difficult Tomichi Pass.
This trail is
rated moderate and can be done in most 4WD vehicles with low range
and a little bit of clearance. The trail is rated a 4 (easiest routes) to 4 (most
difficult routes) out of 10 on the traildamage
website. Disclaimer: You need to decide for
yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your vehicle and if you
have any doubts, don't do it.
To get to the trailhead, head south on US
285 from Buena Vista. Turn right on CR-162 at N38 44.396 W106
05.044 and travel approximately 16 miles to the trailhead for the
Hancock Pass trail at N38 42.349 W106 20.411.
Note: All coordinates in
the above description are included on the waypoint list on
the first cache page.
Winter
Months
Because this trail is at a relatively high elevation, it is not
accessible in the winter months. Hancock Pass is generally
accessible to off road vehicles from late July though late
September although conditions can vary greatly from year to
year.
Time/Distance
The trail is 11.5 miles from the start at the trailhead to the
parking area for Alpine Tunnel. The trail can be run in 3-4
hours if you don't make many stops, but make sure you leave a bunch
of extra time to have lunch on the trail, find the caches and to do
some exploring. To reach the trailhead from the Denver area
takes about 2.5 to 3 hours so leave the house early.
Trail
Waypoints
See waypoint list on the
first cache page.