Cascade Creek  
Maps:    
USGS 7.5' Map: Idaho Springs, Georgetown
Statistics:
Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time:
Easy 4 FR710 7.05 8,531 to 10,880 ft. Rocks 6 2-3 hours
County: Clear Creek
Adopted by:      
Managed by: Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest,
Clear Creek Ranger District
101 Chicago Creek Road, P.O. Box 3307
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
303-567-3000
Summary: Cascade Creek 4WD road follows Cascade Creek from Chicago Creek, Hwy 103, to the side of Griffith Mountain overlooking Georgetown.
Attractions: Mine, Scenery, Challenge
Seasonal
Closure:
Natural - Closed by heavy snows past County Road 116 section.
Best Time: June - May still be snowed in
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Possible early snows
Trail Heads
Accessed:
 
Camping: There are a few camping spots along the upper section of the road past the private property.
Base Camp: This would be a good area to base camp to explore the 4WD roads around Saxon Mountain.
Fall Colors: Average - There are a few groves of aspen that you travel through along the lower section and few higher up.
Navigation: From Idaho Springs, I-70 exit 240, cross I-70 and head southwest on CO-103 S for 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Cascade Creek Road.
History:  
Description:
Cascade Creek starts off of Hwy103 as County Road 116. You will drive past some private property as you follow the creek. The road will be a graded gravel road.

Lower road

photo by:
Adam M

After about three quarters of a mile you will start FR710.1.

Close to where the forest road starts

photo by:
Adam M

The forest road will still be going through mining claims that are private. There will be sections with Private Property posted along the road. After just over a mile you will come to an intersection. The left will continue FR710.1, the right is FR710.1C, which climbs around a hill, passing the dead end spur FR710.1E, and tieing in with Ute Creek. Continue to the left.

Road through mining forest/mining claims

photo by:
Adam M


Last part of forest/mining claims

photo by:
Adam M

One of the last private properties has a long wooden fence that parallels the road. There will also be a lot of abandonded vehicles and equipment on this property. Past this property the road will be less maintained and become more of a two track. This is where the obstacles, rock outcroppings, will start showing up.

Rougher road past mining claim / private property

photo by:
Adam M


One of the obstacles

photo by:
Adam M

At about three and a half miles in you will cross Cascade Creek and come to a large intersection. The left is the continuation of FR710. The right is the Molly Bawn, FR712.2B 4WD road that connects over to the Lamartine, FR712, 4WD road. Continue to the left.

The road will follow under a high power line passing one of the campsites. There will be a few more rock obstacles to navigate before you come to the next inersection. Here the left is FR710.1A, Highland Park, while the right is FR710. Taking the left you will pass through some open areas. The road will be more of a two track with no obstacles.

Open section of road

photo by:
Adam M

You will pass a wide area with a small pond on the left, and then come to a very faint intersection to the right. This is FR710.1B which climbs to the top of Woodchuck Peak.

Faint FR710.1B (not carsonite by tree on right)

photo by:
Adam M

This is the official end of FR710.1A, though the road is well defined and continues to mine remains below Griffith Mountain that overlooks Georgetown. This is the right at the next intersection by the tall radio tower. The left will climb up the side of Griffith Moutain by the high power lines where it will end.

Old mine cabin on tailings

photo by:
Adam M


Mine remains

photo by:
Adam M


View of Georgetown below, with I-70

photo by:
Adam M

Return back to the intersection with FR710.1 and take the left to contiue on. This last section is just over a mile long and goes through the forest passing some small prospect holes. You will come to a four way intersection, go straight through to the T intersection just over the hill. This is the connection to the Lamartine, FR712, 4WD road. Going to the right will take you back to Idaho Springs. The left will quickly climb up and intersect with the Saxon Mountain, FR712/712.2C, 4WD road.
Data updated - July 28, 2019      4WD Road driven - July 6, 2019      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2019