RM ORS #17-04: Hangin On the Shelf

Rocky Mountain (RM) Off Road Series (ORS) #17: Iron Chest
A series by: Team Red Rubicon.

This cache is the fourth of six caches in the #17 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along the difficult Iron Chest Trail. The Iron Chest Trail starts out about 20 miles south-west of Buena Vista near the cool little ghost town of St. Elmo. This trail is a challenge even for most modified vehicles with a short section of large loose rocks right at the beginning of the trail and a long section of shelf road on the way to the Iron Chest Mine (a full trail description is included below).

Cache Information
If you are not fond of shelf roads, don't look down here as it's a long way down..

RM Off Road Series #17 Compete Cache Listing

1. TRR Rocks It
2. How's Your Aspen
3. View Time
4. Hangin On the Shelf
5. Alpine Moss
6. Iron Chest Mine

Trail Information

Rating/Description
Iron Chest is one of several trails that originates from the Hancock Pass trail. The trailhead is close to the start of the Hancock Pass Trail near the cool little ghost town of St. Elmo on the east side of Tincup pass. The trail starts out with a bang with a difficult rock garden right at the beginning. The rock garden is about a quarter mile long and is covered with large loose rocks. Since the rocks are loose, this part of the trail is constantly changing. After the rock garden is an easier section through the trees and then a long section of narrow shelf road before the Iron Chest Mine. You will reach the 12,000 foot Iron Chest Mine at N38 40.332 W106 20.996.

This trail is rated difficult and will require a modified, highly capable 4WD vehicle with good ground clearance. It is also a good idea to have skid plates because of all of the rocks at the beginning. The trail is rated a 6 (easiest routes) to 8 (most difficult routes) out of 10 on the traildamage website. 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.

To get to the trailhead, head south on US 285 from Buena Vista. Turn right on CR-162 at N38 44.396 W106 05.044 and travel approximately 16 miles to the trailhead for the Hancock Pass trail at N38 42.349 W106 20.411. Head up the Hancock Pass Trail to the trailhead for Iron Chest at N38 42.141 W106 20.787. The return route for the Iron Chest trail is back down the mountain the way you came up.

Note: All coordinates in the above description are included on the waypoint list on the first cache page.

Winter Months
Because this trail is at a relatively high elevation, it is not accessible in the winter months. Iron Chest is generally accessible to off road vehicles from early to mid July though mid October although conditions can vary greatly from year to year.

Time/Distance
The trail is 3 miles from the start at the trailhead to Iron Chest Mine. The trail can be run in 3-4 hours if you don't make many stops, but make sure you leave a bunch of 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 page.