GC5B4V8 Chrysolite Mountain
Type: Traditional | Size: Micro | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Tom.dog @ | Hide Date: 08/16/2014 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N38° 39.954 W106° 20.690 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
                       

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A geocache hidden at the summit of Chrysolite Mountain, elevation 12,822 feet.

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There are a few different routes available for attaining the summit of Chrysolite. They are:

From the Iron Chief Mine, N 38 40.451 W 106 20.951: This route requires a 4WD, high clearance vehicle for travel on a difficult road, but it is the closest parking available. You could also hike up the road, parking at N 38 42.138 W 106 20.793 (this is the longest hiking approach to the summit).

From the junction of Chaffee County 295 & 297, N 38 40.391 W 106 22.009: This parking is accessible to 2WD, low clearance vehicles. Staying on roads/trails, this route would total a little over 5 miles of hiking round-trip.

From the Mary Murphey Mine's lower workings, N 38 40.041 W 106 21.474: A high-cleance 2WD may be able to make it here, depending on road conditions. A 4WD high cleance vehicle would have no problems.

With an ATV, one could make it all of the way up to the saddle between Chrysolite Mountain and the unnamed point with the American flag on top (near GC5A80N).

There is a trail all of the way to the summit from any of the above routes. The views are amazing from the top and at many points on the way up. The mining history in the area is also a neat aspect to take note of.

My apologies for the micro, it was all that I had in my pack at the time.

Good luck, enjoy the hike, and have fun!

08/09/2016 By COpackrat
Was up in the area for the 4x4 event and came out this way for a little ride and hike. Thanks for the cache. Last time I was up here was before your hide.

08/25/2015 By estes01
It's true…when you reach the top of this mountain everything suddenly opens up and the views are just incredible. WingsAndTales pulled out one of her maps and identified all the peaks and lakes for me. Spectacular! I would agree with her that a 2WD with high clearance might make it to the lower part of the Mary Murphy Mine, but it will take a beating. I would not attempt the rest of that road with anything other than a 4WD. There's also some exposure. Great spot for a cache. Thank you for bringing us up there.

08/25/2015 By WingsAndTales
Woo Hoo! Co-FTF with estes01 just over a year since the cache was hidden. She did a great job getting us to the upper part of the Mary Murphy mine in her Jeep and we hiked the ATV trail from there. I agree with the CO that a 2WD MIGHT get to the lower part of the mine but I wouldn't go any further than that. The road gets rougher as you go higher and has a couple tricky spots as you head for the upper part of Mary Murphy. Also if you plan to take the road all the way to the Pomeroy Lakes you better have 4WD, good clearance and some off road experience. That end of the road is even worse. The cache is in great shape and well hidden right where it should be. TFTC

08/22/2014 By Alpine Reviewer
Published