Rocky Mountain (RM) Off Road Series (ORS) #19: Red Elephant Hill, Bill Moore Lake
A series by: Team Red Rubicon.
This is the tenth of eleven caches in the #19 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along the difficult Red Elephant Hill and moderate Bill Moore Lake trails. The Red Elephant Hill Trail starts out about 7 miles east of Idaho Springs adjacent to Interstate 70 on the north side. If you take the route described here, you will finish up at the trailhead for the Bill Moore Lake Trail above the town of Empire (a full trail description is included below).
Cache Information
This cache is located at the top of the optional difficult shortcut called the chutes. Before you head down the chutes, don't forget to check out the view.
RM Off Road Series #18 Compete Cache Listing
1. Hidden Ruins
2. jpit's Tippy Spot
3. Viewtiful
4. View @ Mill Creek Junction
5. Mountain Chillin
6. Hill Climb
7. Bill Moore Bowl View
8. Bill Moore Lake Outflow
9. Hidden Meadow
10. Don't Forget the View
11. Take Your Pick
Trail Information
Rating/Description
Red Elephant Hill Trail originates from the frontage road on the north side of Interstate 70, about 7 miles east of Idaho Springs. The trailhead is located at N39 45.854 W105 38.127. To get to the trailhead from Denver, exit at the Dumont exit and head west. You will cross under the interstate twice and reach the trailhead after crossing the interstate the second time. The first 2 miles of the trail are the most difficult where you will be climbing and negotiating many rock and root obstacles. The remainder of the Red Elephant Hill trail is mostly moderate with a few more difficult rocky sections.
At the end of the Red Elephant Hill Trail at N39 47.543 W105 40.625, you will reach the Bill Moore Lake Trail . At this point, take a right to get to Bill Moore Lake and caches 6, 7 and 8. This portion of the Bill Moore lake trail headed up to the lake should be rated at the high end of moderate because there are some steep rocky hill climbs. You will reach the lake at N39 48.212 W105 42.623. After checking out the lake and getting the caches there, return back down the Bill Moore Lake trail the way you came and continue straight past the intersection with the Red Elephant Hill Trail. You will come to caches 9, 10 and 11 on your way down the trail and you will come to the end of your journey when you reach the Bill Moore Lake trailhead at N39 46.342 W105 41.027.
Note: If you just want to do the moderate Bill Moore Lake trail, you can get to caches 6-11 on that trail and if you take a detour you can also get caches 4 and 5 without getting on the difficult part of the Red Elephant Hill Trail.
As previously noted, the Red Elephant Hill trail is rated difficult and you will need a modified 4x4 with at least one locker and maybe a winch to run the trail. The trail is rated a 5 (easiest routes) to 7 (most difficult routes) out of 10 on the traildamage website. The Bill Moore Lake trail is moderate and you will need a 4x4 with low range and good ground clearance to run the trail. The trail is rated a 4 out of 10 on the traildamage website. Disclaimer: You need to decide for yourself if it is safe to run either of these trails in your vehicle and if you have any doubts, don't do it.
Note: All coordinates in the above description are included on the waypoint list on the first cache page.
Winter Months
These trails are generally not accessible in the winter. Red Elephant Hill Trail typically is passable early in the summer because most of the trail is facing south. The upper section of the Bill Moore Lake Trail heading to the lake becomes passable later in the season (Late June to late July) because this section of trail is at a high elevation. Conditions will vary from year to year.
Time/Distance
The total distance to run both trails as described above is about 10 miles. The trails can be run in about 6-7 hours with a few stops thrown in, but make sure you leave 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 1 to 2 hours so leave the house early.
Trail Waypoints
See waypoint list on the first cache page.