RM Off
Road Series (ORS) #6: Spring Gluch Road/Trail Creek
Road
This cache is the first of
eight in my #6 series (plus one #6a series shared) of off-road
caches located along the Spring Gulch Road/Trail Creek Road
route. This route runs for 16 miles from Hwy 103 near Idaho
Springs, to the I70 frontage road west of Idaho
Springs.
Cache
Information
This cache is located on
an interesting little easy side trail that starts out at N39 44.062
W105 35.226 (included on waypoint list below). You will find
parking near the cache. As you walk down the little hill to
the cache, you will be treated to the secret view that will not be
evident until you are almost to the cache.
RM Off Road Series #6
Complete Cache Listing (Spring Gulch East to West and back to Trail
Creek
North)
1.
Secret View
2.
Mine View
3.
Miners Quarters
4.
Miners Overlook
5.
NPR
6.
I Made It! (Part of Series
6a)*
7.
Upper Tailings
8.
Lamartine Mine
* - This cache is at the top of the difficult
Spring Creek trail and is part of
RM Off Road Series #6a which starts at the lower end of the
Spring Creek trail. This cache is accessible from the #6
series route and is therefore included as a cache in the #6
series. If you are up for a challenge and have the right
equipment, you can start out with RM Off Road Series #6a and then
do the #6 series when you reach the top of Spring Creek
trail.
Trail
Information
Rating/Description
This trail is rated easy to moderate. The suggested route is
to take Spring Gulch Road to the most western cache "I Made It" and
then backtrack to Trail Creek road, taking it back to town.
Spring Gulch Road starts out easy at the Idaho Springs end but
becomes moderate near the west end (@ N39 43.942 W105 37.852,
included on waypoints below). There are side trails to a few
of the caches and those are easy to moderate also. This is a
great route for to test out those non-modified 4x4 vehicles.
Most stock SUV type vehicles should be able to do this trail, but
you will need 4WD low range in places. Disclaimer: You need
to decide for yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your
vehicle.
Winter
Months
The trail is close to 11,000 feet elevation at the west end, so
the upper elevations portions may be blocked by snow in the winter
months. During this time, you may still be able to access the
caches at the lower elevations.
Time/Distance
The entire trail as described above is approximately 16 miles and
should take about 3 to 4 hours driving time. You will also
need to include time for finding the caches, exploring, sight
seeing, lunch, etc.
Trail
Waypoints
See waypoint list below. (Entering on Spring Gulch Road and exiting
on Trail Creek Road)
Additional Waypoints
TH13KG0 - Turnoff from Spring Gulch to Cache Location
N 39° 44.046 W 105° 35.275
This is where the trail to the cache is located.
WA13KG0 - Start of Spring Gulch Road
N 39° 44.146 W 105° 31.622
This is the starting point for the trail if taking the suggested route.
WB13KG0 - Straight Here to Stay on Spring Gulch
N 39° 43.900 W 105° 35.603
WC13KG0 - Straight Here to Stay on Spring Gulch
N 39° 43.845 W 105° 36.256
This is the intersection of Trail Creek Road. To take the suggested route, go straight here on the way in.
WD13KG0 - Straight Here to Stay on Spring Gulch
N 39° 43.897 W 105° 37.063
WE13KG0 - Go Right Here to Stay On Spring Gulch Road
N 39° 43.676 W 105° 37.951
This is the start of the moderate section.
WF13KG0 - Turn Around Here and Head Back to Trail Creek Road
N 39° 43.918 W 105° 38.721
If you follow the suggested route, you can turn around here and head back to Trail Creek Road, or you can continue on to Saxon Mountain Road and return that way. Warning - Saxon Mountain Road may be in bad shape.
WG13KG0 - Turn Left on Trail Creek Road to Return
N 39° 43.845 W 105° 36.256
On the return trip, turn left here to head back to Idaho Springs.
| Code | Name | Type | Comments | Date | Coordinates | Distance |
| TH13KG0 | Turnoff from Spring Gulch to Cache Location | Trailhead | This is where the trail to the cache is located. | 06/15/2007 | N 39° 44.046 W 105° 35.275 | 0.39 kms S |
| WA13KG0 | Start of Spring Gulch Road | Reference Point | This is the starting point for the trail if taking the suggested route. | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 44.146 W 105° 31.622 | 5.18 kms E |
| WB13KG0 | Straight Here to Stay on Spring Gulch | Reference Point | | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 43.900 W 105° 35.603 | 0.83 kms SW |
| WC13KG0 | Straight Here to Stay on Spring Gulch | Reference Point | This is the intersection of Trail Creek Road. To take the suggested route, go straight here on the way in. | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 43.845 W 105° 36.256 | 1.62 kms SW |
| WD13KG0 | Straight Here to Stay on Spring Gulch | Reference Point | | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 43.897 W 105° 37.063 | 2.67 kms W |
| WE13KG0 | Go Right Here to Stay On Spring Gulch Road | Reference Point | This is the start of the moderate section. | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 43.676 W 105° 37.951 | 4.00 kms W |
| WF13KG0 | Turn Around Here and Head Back to Trail Creek Road | Reference Point | If you follow the suggested route, you can turn around here and head back to Trail Creek Road, or you can continue on to Saxon Mountain Road and return that way. Warning - Saxon Mountain Road may be in bad shape. | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 43.918 W 105° 38.721 | 4.98 kms W |
| WG13KG0 | Turn Left on Trail Creek Road to Return | Reference Point | On the return trip, turn left here to head back to Idaho Springs. | 06/12/2007 | N 39° 43.845 W 105° 36.256 | 1.62 kms SW |
RM ORS #06-01: Secret View
| Difficulty: 
| Terrain: 
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11 
And what a cache to choose. This was the only one left in this series - can't think as to why I didn't get it before. Must have been saving it for today.
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