The geocache is at the end of a nice drive thorugh the Rocky Mountains near Estes Park, Colorado. The way in is an easy hike of a few hundred feet to a secluded spot.
When we first moved to the area I explored all the local trails and two tracks by foot and 4x4. I wondered where this old road cut went and drove my truck up it. Didn't get far before a rock fall blocked the way. I hiked to the end. When I got there I wondered, "Why did someone build a road to nowhere." No matter really.
The cache is located near the Dunraven TH at the end of Dunraven Glade Road which can be accessed from Devils Canyon Road, County Road 43, between Glen Haven and Drake, Colorado. Most of the road was destroyed in the flood of 2013. As of 2014 the road is a good gravel road. It should be paved again by the end of 2016.
Park in the TH parking lot and head back down the road. Look NE for an old road cut. You can also seek the waypoint were the old road begins. Go forth. Along the way there are some nice views of Triangle Mountain to the W and Crosier Mountain to the SW. You will also pass some rock falls that closed the road to 4 wheel vehicles. The end is a nice place for a picnic. When you reach the end of the old road, stay grounded and keep triangle in mind as you look with your geocacher's eye for the hiding place.
The road was named after the English Lord Dunraven who, taken by the beauty of Estes Park, decided to preserve it by buying it. Since the land was owned by the US Government it could only be acquired via the Homestead Act in parcels of 160 acres per individual. Dunraven ‘s agent "recruited" individual of dubious character to homestead and quickly sell to Lord Dunraven. There was much controversy and charges of fraud. Eventually Dunraven sold out and the land was acquired two partners one of who was Stanley of Stanley steamer fame who built the still standing Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.
When you return to the parking lot and if you are properly equipped (hiking shoes, water, proper clothing for the season and light) try taking the North Fork Trail. The trail goes down to the North Fork of the Big Thompson River. First you get to the narrows where the trial and much of the vegetation was totally destroyed when the mother nature rearranged to entire canyon in the fall of 2013. It was restored by the volunteer efforts of the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers in 2014. After about a mile the canyon opens out a bit and in the spring and summer you are treated to a display of wildflowers.
The trail started in the Roosevelt NF and soon enters the Comanche Wilderness. Wilderness areas are special places where humankind gives up technology and enters an area controlled only by nature. If you are really eager and prepared you can hike into Rocky Mountain NP. If you plan on going that far make sure you have a map. Where ever you go LEAVE NO TRACE.
When you get close use you geocaching sense and description to find the cache. I have used three different GPS devices to determine the coordinates. There must be an anomaly in the area because the readings for the cache vary from spot on to several hundred feet off.
Additional Waypoints
P15DJGQ - Dunraven TH
N 40° 28.665 W 105° 27.986
The trail head is in a large graded circle a the end of the publicly assessable road. There is a rest room there as well.
R15DJGQ - Start of old road
N 40° 28.530 W 105° 27.586
You will see the road from here.
End of the Road
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