GC31C33 RM ORS #18-07: Alpine Turntable
Type: Traditional | Size: Regular | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Team Red Rubicon @ | Hide Date: 07/09/2011 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N38° 38.578 W106° 24.526 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0

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Rocky Mountain (RM) Off Road Series (ORS) #18: Hancock Pass, Alpine Tunnel
A series by: Team Red Rubicon.

This cache is the seventh of seven caches in the #18 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along the scenic Hancock Pass Trail. The Hancock Pass Trail starts out about 20 miles south-west of Buena Vista near the cool little ghost town of St. Elmo. This trail is a rated moderate with a few sections of shelf road. The trail ends near the historic Alpine Tunned (a full trail description is incuded below)

Cache Information
This cache is located close to the Alpine Tunnel at a location where there is a large wooden turntable for trains.

RM Off Road Series #18 Compete Cache Listing

1. Don't Do It
2. Rusty Tram House
3. Hancock
4. Got Trees?
5. Snowfield's Last Stand
6. Tomichi Pass View
7. Alpine Turntable

Trail Information

Rating/Description
Hancock Pass Trail originates from CR-162 just east of the little ghost town of St. Elmo. The trail is easy for the first 5 1/2 miles up to the townsite of Hancock. Just past the townsite of Hancock, take a right at N38 38.287 W106 21.675 where the trail becomes moderate and starts to climb on your way up to the pass. At N38 37.458 W106 22.059 you will start to climb up the final switchbacks to the pass where the road becomes a shelf road. Bear right at N38 36.684 W106 22.717 to stay on Hancock Pass Trail (a left will take you to difficult Tomichi Pass). Turn right on 839 at N38 36.827 W106 23.401 to get to Alpine Tunnel. Park at N38 38.286 W106 24.483 to take the short hike to the tunnel. On the return trip, you can come back the way you came, head to Pitkin on the trail that starts at N38 36.831 W106 23.401, or head up over difficult Tomichi Pass.

This trail is rated moderate and can be done in most 4WD vehicles with low range and a little bit of clearance. The trail is rated a 4 (easiest routes) to 4 (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.

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. Hancock Pass is generally accessible to off road vehicles from late July though late September although conditions can vary greatly from year to year.

Time/Distance
The trail is 11.5 miles from the start at the trailhead to the parking area for Alpine Tunnel. 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.

08/24/2017 By jetmack61
Great scenery! Must either walk or have a dirt bike. We had a dirt bikes so it was relatively easy to get to. Trail is still closed to 4 wheel vehicles. Be careful riding past the rockslide part, it is only 3 feet wide or so.

07/05/2016 By Z_Malloc
So we tried to get up to the Alpine Tunnel area (and this cache as well) in a 4x4 vehicle and found that the road has been blocked off (right at the u-turn to head up) by the forest service as apparently a rock slide has taken out a portion of the road a mile or so up the road. You are encouraged by a sign to turn around now before there is no room to when you get to the road damage. I will include a picture of the blockade. We really wanted to get up here!

09/21/2015 By jherber
TFTC It is always good to find another of your fine caches. This is a wonderful history lesson and a tribute to the hearty souls who worked on the mountain railroads. Thanks for the Smiley face on the map.

09/21/2015 By DustyKat
We found this cache after walking from the first gate. TFTC

09/12/2015 By Team J&K
Thanks for hiding another cache on the DSP&P line.
We were up high today to check on our hide at the top of the tunnel.
Loved seeing the new turntable and the other new building on the west side.
It took us a little while to find your hide. But J made the find.
A favorite for sure.
Team J&K - Indy