Rams Horn Mountain is a prominent Ranked Peak just east of Rocky
Mountain National Park, positioned between Lily Mountain and Estes
Park. It’s western side is buttressed by a series of granite
outcroppings that were named by boys attending the YMCA camp in the
early 1900s, as “Teddys Teeth”. During President Teddy
Roosevelt’s tenure in office, cartoonists depicted the
President’s teeth as very large, protruding
“pearly-whites”, so the young boys picked up on this
theme for their naming. On subsequent maps, the USGS included the
names “Rams Horn Peak” as well as “Teddy’s
Teeth” for the features of this peak.
For decades, the highest point on the peak was believed to be
the stated spot elevation on USGS maps: 9,553 feet. So most peak
hikers or climbers ascended to the location of this spot elevation
and recorded their conquest. A recent determination of elevation
indicates that one of Teddy’s Teeth is actually 3 feet higher
than the spot elevation, at 9,556 feet. So perhaps some of the more
avid peak baggers will feel compelled to re-climb Rams Horn for
these extra 3 feet (if they can “find” them)!
Your quest is easier, because it doesn’t involve finding the
physically highest point. It involves finding a regular-sized cache
container located fairly close to the top of one of Teddy’s
pearly whites! It doesn’t matter if THIS pearly white
is a foot or two taller or lower than an adjacent one.
There’s only one cache to find up here! So determine the best
approach that involves public lands and climb Rams Horn for the
treasure of its cache on a pearly white. Stay off the private land
in making your approach. Expect a round trip effort of about 5
miles, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 1,500 feet.
Enjoy your hike and your “find”. And make certain that
you take time to appreciate the remarkable vistas from the summit
vicinity. The views will become indelible in your mind.