Though this gate doesn't open for motorzied vehicles, hikers, snowshoers and nordic skiers have an opening to access the year round trail. For a short hike/trek, start from the parking lot coordinates for less than a quarter mile walk. Don't hesitate to continue on as the scenery is beautiful year round. The trail goes along HWY 91, the Fallen Heroes Highway to Copper Mountain.
Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 was the dedication and unveiling of the memorial plaques for the Fallen Heroes Highway, also known as Colorado Highway 91 between Leadville and Copper Mountain.
In 2010, this stretch of highway connecting Lake and Summit Counties was renamed the Fallen Heroes Highway, dedicated to LCPL Nicklas Palmer USMC with the passage of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 10-040. An effort driven by Nick’s parents, Rachele and Brad Palmer of Leadville, the highway’s re-dedication was supported by then State Representative Christine Scanlan and State Senator Mark Scheffel who helped secure the road’s dedication. Part of the original plan was to include a plaque which would record the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their community and country.
Nick Palmer graduated from Lake County High School in Leadville in 2005 where he played football. After graduation, Nick joined the United States Marine Corps. He was killed in action December 16, 2006 while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq. He was just 19 years old.
The second name now engraved on the plaque honors a Summit County emergency responder, Patrick Mahan. In July 2015, Pilot Mahany died not long after his Flight for Life helicopter crashed into the parking lot of St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco shortly after take-off.
Mahany was a Vietnam veteran who first started flying helicopters shortly after he joined the military in 1970.
The plaques are “dedicated to Nicklas J. Palmer, and any Military, Peace Officer, Emergency Responder or Firefighter of Lake & Summit Counties who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Though a small cache, there are two pink boxing glove key chains to celebrate 20 years surviving cancer, army men to honor our nephew serving in the army, a trackable and log. Bring your own pen. No need to remove the cache from the location, just remove the bottom, sign log, can take small trade items, replace and swing back in place.
Congratulations to summitRush for FTF! Thanks for the advice to search within 30 ft. I took three readings coming in different ways and got N 39.27.570 W 106.08.485 and N39.27.573 W106.08.483 and N39.27.572 W 106.08.481 Happy caching!
Additional Waypoints
P06VF8A - Gate to a nice hike parking
N 39° 27.450 W 106° 08.650
If this lot is full, there is additional parking north on HWY 91 on same side.
Gate to a nice hike above Fallen Heroes Highway
| Difficulty: 
| Terrain: 
Rocky Mountain Shadows (67.91 kms N)
7