RM ORS #09-05: Mountain Village

RM (Rocky Mountain) Off Road Series (ORS) #9: Swan River/SOB Hill
A series by: RocketMan, n0wae, Grand High Pobah, zoltig, taylorsgeotracker, Joe Friday, Red Ruby, Mountain Roamer, DaToad and Team Teman

This cache is the fifth of nine (7 plus two bonus caches) in the #9 series of Rocky Mountain off-road caches located along the Swan River Loop and SOB Hill. The Swan River Loop starts out from Tiger Road just outside of Breckenridge and is approximately 14 miles long. SOB Hill is another 6 miles plus the return trip distance that will vary depending on which way you go (see full trail description below).

Cache Information
You will find a well preserved cabin at this location which marks the old townsite of Swandyke. There are remnants of other buildings in the area also.

RM Off Road Series #9 Complete Cache Listing (Doing the Loop Clockwise)

1. Grand Meadow
2. Amelia's Cache
3. Home Sweet Home
4. Red Cone View
5. Mountain Village
6. Over The River
7. Here's the Beaver
8. Got Winch?
9. Colorado Panorama

Trail Information

Rating/Description
The Swan River Loop consists of the North Fork Swan River trail and the Middle Fork Swan River Trail. The Swan River Loop is rated moderate. It is rated a 3 (easiest routes) to 4 (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. Six of the caches in this series are located along the Swan River Loop. Disclaimer: You need to decide for yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your vehicle.

The two bonus caches are located along the SOB Hill trail which connects the Middle Fork Swan River trail to the top of Georgia Pass. This trail is rated difficult and make no mistake about it, it is difficult. It is rated a 6 (easiest routes) to 8 (most difficult routes) out of 10 on the traildamage website. You will definitely need a capable off road vehicle with a minimum of a lift, large tires and skid plates. To get over some of the obstacles, you may need lockers or a winch assist. Disclaimer: You need to decide for yourself if it is safe to make the trip in your vehicle.

This area is one of the more beautiful areas in the Front Range region. You will be traveling in areas that are over 12,000 feet in elevation with great views of the surrounding area. Mountain Goats are often seen at the higher elevations on this trail, so keep your eyes peeled for them.

The trailhead for the Swan River loop can be accessed from Tiger Road out of Breckenridge. To do the Swan River Loop in the clockwise direction, take Tiger Road to the North Fork Swan River trailhead at N39 30.792 W105 56.815. When you reach the top of the hill climb at N39 30.792 W105 54.166 you will be at Wise Mountain. Take a right at this intersection to check out the Wise Mountain cabin. From the cabin, return to the intersection and go straight to continue the loop. You will climb up a steep hill with the far left route being the easiest. At the top of the hill, you will come to one of the caches that is part of RM Off Road Series #4. At N39 31.376 W105 52.925, stay straight. If you go left, it will take you up Glacier Mountain and eventually down into Saints John Creek area. When you get to N39 31.251 W105 52.142, take a right to continue the loop. At N39 30.806 W105 51.748, take a right to head down the Middle Fork Swan River. When you come to N39 30.154 W105 54.076, a left will take you up SOB Hill. If you stay straight, you can complete the Swan River Loop, returning to Tiger Road at N39 30.383 W105 56.789. Taking a right here will take back on Tiger Road the way you started.

If you do take the side trip up SOB Hill to do the bonus caches, you will end up at the top of Georgia Pass at N39 27.478 W105 55.013. From there, you can either head South on the easy dirt road back to US 285, or you can head north down a moderate trail that will end up back on Tiger Road where you started.

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

Winter Months
This route is closed in the winter months and often will not be accessible until mid to late July. There is a section of the Middle Swan River trail that often is impassable until late in the summer season due to snow. You should call the Dillon Ranger District to ask about trail conditions.

Time/Distance
The Swan River Loop is approximately 14 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. If you add in the SOB Hill route, it will be about another 6 to 10 miles and will add another 2 to 2.5 hours driving time.

Trail Waypoints
See the waypoint list on the first cache here. (Running the Swan River Loop in a clockwise direction)