Bill Moore Lake
Clear Creek County, Colorado
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Nearby Towns: Empire
Nearby Trails: Jones Pass, Kingston Peak, Red Elephant Hill, Mill Creek
Season: Year Round
Trail Length: 4.8 miles
Elevation: 9,271 to 11,525 feet

Recommended by Austin
Recommended by Ryan S.

This is a beautiful trail perfect for stock vehicles wanting to try something a little more difficult. It's also good for the seasoned wheeler. It connects with Red Elephant Hill, which connects with Mill Creek. Running these three trails makes for a nice day of offroading.

The trail starts out from Empire as a big climb up a hill. At the first fork in the road past Conqueror Mine you can either go left up the biggest and most challenging hill or go right/straight up the switchbacks. You may encounter other vehicles coming down, so prepare for that. The bigger hill has a few rocks scattered on it that you can either work your way around or climb over, making the climb as challenging as you'd like it to be.

At the top of this big hill it mellows out a little. Go right at two intersections, then you'll see two signs pointing the way to Bill Moore Lake -- take the road to the left at both of these intersections. The Bill Moore Lake trail continues to climb.

Soon you'll see the turn for 171.3C to the right. This is the end of the Red Elephant Hill trail. Do not take this road as Red Elephant Hill is a one-way trail on the way up. Instead, go left and up the hill on 183.1. This is a hill of "whoopdeedoos" to challenge the flexibility of your suspension. Stay on the trail.

There is a good chance you will find snow on the trail from this point forward, even as late as July. It is very important that you know where the trail is, even if it is buried in snow, so you may need to get out and hike over or around the snow to find the other side of the trail. You are free to work your way through the snow as long as you stay on the trail. It is never acceptable to leave the trail to get around snow, even briefly and even if others before you have done it. If you cannot travel through or over the snow you must turn back.

There is a long climb after this that is on loose dirt and small rocks. It may be too challenging for some stock SUVs and it may be impossible if it is wet.

You'll start to go downhill and then you'll come to the mud pit. The large mud pit was closed in 2004 -- do not drive into the large trench to one side of the trail. If this area is muddy you should make sure you can get your vehicle out if you get stuck. The mud here can be very slick. Do not drive off of the trail to get around the mud. If you cannot make it through the mud then you must turn around.

Bill Moore Lake itself is just past the pit. Do not cross the berm before the Lake. Park in the turnaround area and walk the short distance to the lake.

There is also a large rock in this turnaround area that is fun to drive up on to pose in the scenery. Be sure to have someone spot you from the front of your vehicle so you do not slip off the side or accidentally drive too far over it.

Information last updated on May 11th, 2008.

Member Reports

• November 17, 2007: ran by Bill S., Chad, Don, Michael and Mike S.
• July 15, 2006: ran by Daniel, Dave B., Ed C., Gary, Jed, Micheal, Mike C. and Walt
• July 9, 2005: ran by Aaron N., Bob S., Brian E., Cheryl, Dane, Dave B., Eric B., Jed, Mike S., Monica and Wayne
• July 31, 2004: ran by Alanna, Austin IV, Austin III, Bob R., Bob S., Daniel, Ed C., Jed, Landon, Monica and Rod
• August 16, 2003: ran by Aaron N., Amir, Bob S., Brian E., Ed A., Fred, Jenn, Ladd and Monica
• August 31, 2002: ran by Austin, Beth, Dave R., Jordan, Kendall, Kyle, Mike S. and Monica

Driving Directions

Take I-70 to Highway 40. Go north to the town of Empire. Turn right at North Empire Road (this intersection does not have a street light). Bear right at the fork where the trail starts -- do not follow FSR261.1.

Meeting Places

Meet at the Starbucks next to the gas station at Downieville, exit 234 off of I-70.