RM ORS #08-01: Air Down

RM (Rocky Mountain) Off Road Series (ORS) #8: Slaughterhouse Gulch
A series by: RocketMan, Red Ruby, Tooter153, Cirrus142, zoltig and starnsun

This cache is the first of nine (8 plus one bonus cache) in the #8 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along the Slaughterhouse Gulch 4x4 trail. Slaughterhouse Gulch is north of Bailey and is accessed from CR-43 which intersects with 285 just east of Bailey. The trail is approximately 11 miles long, including the straight section and the loop.

Cache Information
This cache is located at the staging/air down area at the start of the Slaughterhouse Gulch trail. There is plenty of room to park here and let some air out of the tires before heading out on the trail. This is a also a good place to park those ATV trailers. There are often other people in this area, so be aware of muggles.

RM Off Road Series #8 Complete Cache Listing (Doing the Loop Counterclockwise)

1. Air Down
2. Poser Rock
3. The Hard Way
4. Slaughterhouse Aspens
5. Lunch Spot
6. Derringer Peak
7. The Jeep Wave
8. A Cirrious Situation
9. Down in the Valley

Trail Information

Rating/Description
Slaughterhouse Gulch trail is mostly easy to moderate with a few sections bordering on difficult. It is only rated a 3 (easiest routes) to 5 (most difficult routes) out of 10 on the traildamage website. When the trail is dry, it can be done in most high clearance stock SUV's with low range 4WD. If the trail is wet or has snow, the difficulty rating can go up significantly. Disclaimer: You need to decide for yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your vehicle.

This is a fun trail that's close to the Denver area so it's easy to get to. The scenery along the route is awesome with many cool things to see. The trail runs down through aspen lined valleys and up over hills with great views to the north and south.

To get to the trailhead near the first cache Air Down, go north on CR-43 from 285. Stay on CR-43 for 6.8 miles and then turn left on Saddlestring Dr. You will come to the staging area shortly after you make the turn. From the staging area, take a right onto FS-101 at the large yellow sign for Crow Gulch. Stay on FS-101 until you come to the beginning of the loop at N39 28.613 W105 32.847 where you will take a right to run the loop in a counterclockwise direction. At N39 28.304 W105 32.055 take a right to go to the mud pits. You will return to this point after visiting the mud pits. Continue on the loop back to the start and take a right on FS-101 to return the way you entered.

Winter Months
This route is often open in winter months when conditions permit. It is possible to run the trail with snow on it, but you should be experienced under such circumstances and have a capable vehicle with the right equipment (like a winch).

Time/Distance
The entire route as described above is approximately 11.5 miles and should take about 2 to 2.5 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. (Running the loop in a counterclockwise direction)

Additional Waypoints

S11D25H - Start Here
N 39° 29.724 W 105° 31.928

S21D25H - Turn Right Here to Go Counterclockwise on Loop
N 39° 28.613 W 105° 32.847

S31D25H - Turn Right Here to Go to Mud Pits
N 39° 28.304 W 105° 32.055
Return here to continue loop after mudpits.