Red Elephant Hill
Clear Creek County, Colorado
View this on the Colorado Trailheads Map

Nearby Towns: Empire
Nearby Trails: Bill Moore Lake, Jones Pass, Kingston Peak, Mill Creek
Trail Length: 4.2 miles
Elevation: 10,577 feet

This trail is a steep uphill climb that connects with Mill Creek and Bill Moore Lake. It's longer and a more difficult way to get to Bill Moore Lake than the usual way from Empire. It should not be run downhill in the opposite direction because it is nearly impossible to pass anyone in some places and uphill traffic will have the right-of-way.

The trail begins as a right turn immediately after passing under I-70. You'll pass through a residential area and the trail begins at the end of the street. You'll begin climbing right away, parallel to the Bill Moore Lake trail but a few miles east of it.

Though you will have to turn left to travel west to connect with Bill Moore Lake, you won't do this at an intersection. Continue north and uphill at all intersections, no matter how tempting and well-travelled they look. The place where you turn left is almost a 90 degree turn but there is no other way to go on the trail (there is no straight or right turn).

The climb is very steep almost all the way to the turn. When the trail is dry it can be risky to drive on its edge as the dirt is very fine and not very packed. Drive carefully where rocks place you near the edge! You should not drive this trail alone.

There are a few sections of rock that may high-center some vehicles. Careful tire placement is necessary.

Once you make the left turn the trail levels out somewhat. At one of the first clearings you will see the trailhead to Mill Creek on your right, marked 171.3. Continue to snake through the trees to find road 183.1 and the Bill Moore Lake trail.

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 R., Bob S., Brian E., Cheryl, Dane, Dave B., Eric B., Jed, Jim, Jon G., Mike S., Monica and Wayne
• July 31, 2004: ran by Alanna, Austin IV, Austin III, Bob R., Bob S., Daniel, Derek S., Ed C., Jed, Landon, Monica, Robert, Rod and Wayne
• August 16, 2003: ran by Aaron N., Amir, Bob S., Brian E., Ed A., Fred, Jenn, Ladd and Monica

Driving Directions

From Denver take I-70 to exit 234 at Downieville. Turn right at the bottom of the exit, then left again to run alongside the highway on the frontage road. Travel west to cross under I-70 and past the entrance to Spring Creek. Keep going until you cross under I-70 again and turn right on a dirt road immediately after going under the highway (only a few feet from the highway).

Meeting Places

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