Bill Moore Lake 4x4 Trail

Hiking in Colorado

Nearby Destinations

James Peak Wilderness

Nearby Guides

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 5.1 miles / 8.2 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: Very scenic route to high mountain lake. Great place to spend a weekend exploring network of trails and historical sites, including well-preserved Conqueror Mine. Trail connects to Red Elephant Hill, Empire Loop (available as eGuide from FunTreks). Great area for ATVs and UTVs with plenty of parking at the start. The 2010 MVUM shows no seasonal closures. For current conditions call Arapaho National Forest, Clear Creek Ranger District at (303) 567-3000.

Rating:

Difficult. Upper part has several steep, loose, rocky sections. Some stock SUVs can do it, but 4x4 driving experience is needed. Use F.S. 183.1A bypass around worst section if your vehicle does not have differential lockers.

This trail is one of 80 trails from the book Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4WD Trails, 3rd Edition, by FunTreks Publishing, available at http://www.funtreks.com

Tips: Once you reach the lake, take time to relax and hike around. There’s another lake above Bill Moore Lake if you are looking for a more strenuous hike. Try your hand a fishing too. Just make sure you have a fishing license.

Trail conditions can change without notice. FunTreks, Inc. and its owner and employees are not responsible for injury, death, or vehicle damage as a result of using this guide. The content of this guide is the property of FunTreks, Inc. and is made available to the user pursuant to EveryTrail’s Terms of Service (http://www.everytrail.com/tos.php).

Points of Interest

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Start Here

Start here about 1 mile north of the town of Empire. Follow Google mapping directions. Continue uphill past fenced-in reclamation area.

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Conqueror Mine

At Conqueror Mine turn hard right uphill at tight switchback. Trail becomes more difficult.

Trail gets more difficult after Conqueror Mine Photo

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Stay Left

Stay left on 183.1 following sign to Bill Moore Lake.

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Make Hard Left Uphill

Turn hard left up steep, chewed-up spot. Right downhill on 171.3C goes to Empire Loop (available as eGuide from FunTreks).

Hard left uphill at chewed-up spot Photo

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Decision Point

If you continue straight on main trail, you'll soon have to climb a very steep chewed-up section. This section can be bypassed by turning right here on 183.1A.

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Difficult Hill

Climb steep, chewed-up hill with large moguls. Vehicle without lockers will find this spot difficult.

This steep chewed-up hill can be bypassed Photo

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Bypass Joins

Bypass 183.1A joins trail on right. Continue uphill on main trail 183.1.

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Stay Right

Stay right where 183.1D goes left. After crossing open area, you'll enter trees and begin a long, steep descent. Shortly after that, you'll weave through an area of closed mud bogs.

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Parking Lot at Bill Moore Lake

Trail ends at large parking area below Bill Moore Lake. Hike the rest of the way. You can also hike to other smaller lakes above Bill Moore Lake. Return the way you came or consider adding Empire Loop Trail to your day.