The parking area for this Ouray County cache site is quickly and
easily reached off of County Road 17 (the old "River Road")between
Ridgway & Ouray, via Dallas Trailhead. Terrain rating is based
on an climb of 180 feet in less than 3/10 of a mile of trail at
high altitude. Cache site is less than 1/2 mile hike to a
mountain-side bench(ledge).
Parking area coordinates: N 38:03.295' W 107:41.520' This unpaved,
sometimes one-lane "River Road" (Ouray County Road 17) was
originally a narrow-guage railroad bed. Overlooks the Uncompahgre
River Canyon and Highway 550, and skirts Black Lake. Drive CR 17
from near Ridgway southward to Ouray (about 10 miles) for the best
views of the cliffs and mountains (not recommended for large RVs).
However, cache parking area can also be accessed from Highway 550
via the Whispering Pines bridge then following CR 17 north to the
trailhead. Tight turnaround available for RVs and vehicles with
trailers at trailhead.
Dallas Trailhead is one of many access points to part of the huge
network of wilderness trails that filigree the mountains here.
("Dallas" appears on many placenames in Ouray County, named in
honor of George N. Dallas, the Vice-President of the United States
between 1845 & 1849 under James K. Polk.) This trailhead also
accesses the Corbett Trail #209, the Dallas Corbett Loop trail, and
Corbett Canyon Trail. Elevation at the parking area is 7478' ft.
Cache location is at approximately 7658' altitude (readings may
vary due to cliffs & trees-- we couldn't get the same reading
on ANY of our trips to this cache).
Expect a steep rise with switchbacks, no handrails. Sneakers or
other snug-fitting treaded shoes recommended. Because of steepness
& tilt of switchbacks, and clay soils, please DO NOT attempt if
trail is muddy or wet. Be sure to sign the trailhead logbook (you
sign in AND OUT again) and see the trail map at the trailhead
information station about 100 feet along the trail from the parking
area.
If you decide to follow Dallas Trail on past the cache, it will
eventually climb to 9700' ft up at Burn Ski Hut. This is a no-fee
area. Enjoy the forest and the great views between the trees from
the cache site. Look for the interesting huge bulging rock above
& 30 yards north of the cache site. Again, it is quite steep in
spots - please use care on your way back down.
CACHE is an airtight & watertight "Lock & Lock" container,
1.69 qts, 6"x 9"x 2.5", clear base & lid. Coordinates bounce
around a bit due to terrain & trees.
ENJOY the hike & the hunt!!!!!!
Click To Rate This Cache
Dallas Trail Bench Cache
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Dallas Trail Bench
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