GCXDDH 4x4 13-Empire Hilton (Traditional Cache) in Colorado, United States created by n0wae

GCXDDH ▼

A cache by n0wae Message this owner

Hidden : 7/30/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This is the thirteenth in a series of 4x4 caches that offer the unusual, a challenge and/or scenic vistas. This one gives you a 4WD challenge to an interesting and historic destination.

The Empire Hilton Cabin is a fully stocked 'emergency cabin' that is open to the public. Owned by the Forest Service and adopted by Patrol#2 of the Mile High 4x4 club and a local woman named 'Woman of Many Seasons' (Lianne). The rules are similar to Geocaching... Sign the guest logbook and if you take or consume anything then replace it with something of equal value. CITO greatly appreciated.

The first 3/4 of the way in to the Empire Hilton Cabin is an easy 2 to 2.5 star terrain rating. (Easy 4-wheeling) Go North on Main Street in Empire. Continue North on FDR171.2 and then take FDR171.3 East. If you're not driving a lifted jeep or ATV I would highly recommend parking at N39°47.576 W105°39.911 before the road earns the 4.5 terrain rating. (Make it a 3.5 star hike). My guess would be that the 'Mill Creek' segment of the jeep trail would have a CA4WDCI road rating of 7. (Bill Moore lake road is rated 6) An alternate harder route to the Mill Creek road is via the 'Red Elephant Hill' 4x4 road. The Traildamage 4x4 club has a lot of information on the cabin and 4x4 roads here: Mill Creek

Some tidbits from the Empire Hilton Logbook:
"Gladys the widow squirrel now lives in walls of cabin. She's noisy but harmless." (We heard her chatter at us and she is so cute!) Another log: Johnny a frequent caretaker wrote "Laid to rest a part of Chucky and released this chapter of a novel life that I knew and loved" (Grave in woods behind cabin?) There are several logbooks covering many years of visits to the cabin.

My 4x4 club enjoyed a trip to the cabin via the tough Red Elephant Hill road in 2007.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Take the trail that starts across the road from the cabin] ybt

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)