RM ORS #14-05 The Stairs

Rocky Mountain (RM) Off Road Series (ORS) #14: Chinaman Gulch
A series by Team Red Rubicon members: RocketMan, zoltig, taylorsgeotracker, Red Ruby, Mountain Roamer, n0wae, QueenZelda & Cub Boy, and jpit .

This cache is the fifth of seven in the #14 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along the difficult Chinaman Gulch Trail. The Chinaman Gulch Trail starts out just south-east of Buena Vista. This trail is somewhat challenging and should only be attempted if you have the right vehicle and some off roading experience. This trail can easily be done on foot also, so if your vehicle is not equipped, you can still do the series (a full trail description is included below).

Cache Information
The stairs obstacle is another optional one. There is a bypass on the far left. The most difficult approach to the obstacle is the one on the left side which has a steep ledge to climb with a large step at the top (pictured). The approach on the right is easier, but it looks easier than it is. One Team Red Rubicon member had to be winched over it.

RM Off Road Series #14 Compete Cache Listing

1. Air Down
2. Rock Garden
3. Rock Pile
4. Whales Tail
5. The Stairs
6. The Chutes
7. Got View ?

Trail Information

Rating/Description
Chinaman Gulch trail is one of the premier difficult trails in Colorado . Because of the relatively low elevation of this trail (7,832 to 8,904 feet), it can typically be run very early and very late in the season when all of the higher trails are closed or impassable because of snow. If you are up for a bit of a challenge and want to test your vehicle, this trail is a good one to do and it's a blast. It has many rocky areas to negotiate and numerous named obstacles. From the staging area, the trail runs for approximately 1.7 miles before you reach "the loop". You should turn right to run the loop in the recommended counterclockwise direction, returning back to the same point after completing the loop. After completing the loop, you will return the way you came in by going back down the trail along the same 1.7 mile stretch.

This trail is rated difficult and many of the obstacles do not have a bypass so you must negotiate them. It is rated a 4 (easiest routes) to 7 (most difficult routes) out of 10 on the traildamage website. Team Red Rubicon members believe that the trail should be rated more like a 6-8. Disclaimer: You need to decide for yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your vehicle and if you have any doubts, don't do it.

The trail has the following named obstacles (most of the caches in this series are at the obstacles):

Rock Garden - On the way to the loop. Lots of rocks to test your flex and ground clearance.
Rock Pile - Optional pile of rocks (what else) to test your vehicle.
Whales Tail - A small rock waterfall you must climb. Has three approaches that are extreme, difficult and less difficult.
The Stairs - Optional obstacle. Extreme on the left and a bit easier on the right.
The Chutes - A V-notch that is not optional.
Note: You will find a more detailed descriptions of these obstacles on the namesake cache pages (see links above).

To get to the trailhead, head south on CR-301 from US 24 at N38 48.872 W106 05.970. Stay on CR-301 for approximately 1.6 miles and then go left at N38 47.507 W106 05.698. There is a gate at this point that you must open and then close behind you. You will go approximately 0.4 miles to the staging area N38 47.529 W106 05.129, passing through a second gate just before the staging area. From the staging area, you will head almost directly north on the Chinaman Gulch trail. The trailhead is at N38 47.556 W106 05.144. Note: If you head east from the staging area instead of north, you will be headed for Carnage Canyon. Unless you have an extreme rock buggy, stay away from that trail.

Note: All coordinates in the above description are included on the waypoint list below.

Winter Months
As stated previously, because this trail is at a relatively low elevation, it can often be run very early to very late in the season. Chinaman Gulch is generally accessible to off road vehicles from late April though late November although conditions can vary greatly from year to year.

Time/Distance
The trail is 7.3 miles from the start at the staging area until you get back to the staging area. You will spend some time at each obstacle, so the trail will typically take about 5 or 6 hours if you aren't trying to hurry. Make sure you leave some 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 2.5 to 3 hours so leave the house early.

Trail Waypoints
See waypoint list on the first cache in the series, Air Down.