A hike along a jeep road to the terminal point of the 2002 Hayman Fire (southern prong)
For adventurous souls. This is a strenuous hike to the furthest eastward penetration of the southern prong of the Hayman Fire. There is faint jeep road to follow.
The Hayman fire was reported at 4:45PM on June 8th, 2002, about 2 miles northwest of Lake George, Colorado. The fire "blew up" on June 9th, racing 16 miles to the northeast in one day, due to the combination of dry fuels, high winds (50 mph) and low relative humidity (5-8%). Fire progress maps show that the fire front was located near the top of a rock dome east of Highway 67 by the night of June 9th. By sundown on June 10th it had advanced only about 1/4 mile past this point, and advanced no further in this direction even though the fire was not fully contained until July 2nd.
This hike will take you past the rock dome (with awesome views in all directions), to furthest extent of the Hayman Fire (southern prong). The geocache itself is tucked under what might be the furthest burned tree in this "prong" (the fire forked as it passed Cheeseman Lake, a couple miles west of this location). Along the way, you will see three different burn areas. The route passes through the Hayman burn area almost the entire way. When you look north, past the narrow unburned tree stand on your left (as you go uphill) you will be looking at the Schoonover burn area - the result of a fire that burned only three weeks earlier than the Hayman. When you look to the east and south of the geocache, you will be looking at the Polhemus Prescribed Burn, which was conducted in late 2001. The southern prong of the Hayman Fire was "trapped" between the two prior burn areas - unable to advance any further to the northeast (hence the geocache name)
The geocache is an ammo can with plenty of goodies, to encourage folks to come up here. The FTF prize is a brand-new flask, purchased from the Deckers Store, a few miles down the road.
I am quite generous with waypoints, for a reason. I found that it was much more difficult to find my way back to the car, than it was to get out to the geocache site. You can use the rock dome to guide you most of the way out. The general location of the geocache is pretty obvious once you are standing on the dome itself (it is about another quarter mile to the east). Heading back down is a different matter, but if you use my waypoints as "breadcrumbs" they will guide you safely through the most difficult and confusing portion of the return trip (between "rock dome" and "ridge"). Furthermore, if you park at the parking waypoint and head towards the first route waypoint, "ridge," you will steer well clear of the private parcels along Highway 67.
Bring plenty of water - at least two water bottles per person (and dog). There is little water on the route and precious little shade, in most places. It gets hot up there!
Hope I haven't scared you off! The trip is well worthwhile if you are interested in fire ecology. The views are stunning and overall impact of the vast desolation will stay with you forever.
Additional Waypoints
P06RJ97 - Parking
N 39° 13.553 W 105° 11.432
parking turnout
R06RJ97 - springs
N 39° 14.282 W 105° 10.840
go up drainage to this point
Caching Fire #2: the Hayman Fire Trap
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