Oregon Hill
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Central City
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 4 FR713 3.00 9,800 to 10,620 ft. Steep Hill on FR713.1B 3-4 hours
County:	Gilpin
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Roosevelt National Forest Clear Creek Ranger District	101 Chicago Creek Road P.O. Box 3307 Idaho Springs, CO 80452	(303)567-3000
Summary:	Oregon Hill 4WD road runs along the west side of Dakota Hill toward Oregon Hill.
Attractions:	Scenic Views, Mining, History
Seasonal Closure:	Natural, closed by heavy snows
Best Time:	June - May still be drifted in on the north side and in the heavy timber early in the month. July - Best time. August - Best time. September - Best time. October - Watch for early snows.
Trail Heads Accessed:
Camping:	The north and south end of the Oregon Hill 4WD road offers the most dispersed sites. Be aware of private property and do not camp at old mine sites, they are also private property.
Base Camp:	There is a good network of other 4WD roads in the area to explore. Most roads are old mining roads of moderate challenge.
Fall Colors:	Very Good - The south side of Dakota Hill has large aspen stands.
Navigation:	From Black Hawk, CO. head northwest on Bobtail Road toward Gregory Street for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Gregory Street and go 0.2 miles. Continue onto Black Hawk Street for 236 ft. Turn left onto CO-119 and go 1.9 miles. Turn left onto County Rd 4-S and go 1.4 miles. Slight right to stay on Co Rd 4-S and go 4.2 miles passing through the semi-ghost town of Apex. Continue on County Rd 4-S for 1.2 miles climbing some switchbacks to an area where there are mine buildings. The road to the right and in front of the main set of buildings is the Utah Hill 4WD road, FR716.1. Follow it for approximately 3.0 miles to an intersection. This is the middle of the Oregon Hill 4WD road.
History:
Description:
The easiest way to get to the Oregon Hill 4WD road brings you to the middle of the road. From the intersection where FR716.1 connects with the Oregon Hill 4WD road you can take the left and head back toward the Dakota Hill 4WD road. The road runs through the forest passing a few old spurs. Just before you get to the Dakota Hill 4WD road, about 2 miles there will be some dispersed camp sites in the trees. Once you reach the Dakota Hill 4WD road, FR412, you can take the left turn to work your way back around Dakota Hill to Apex. Back at the intersection, the road to the right continues south along an exposed ridge to another intersection with a road heading down hill. This road is not on the Forest Service MVUM. Continue on the road ahead to the southwest into the trees. After a switchback you will come to another intersection. The right is FR713.1 which goes another mile and a half ending at private property. The left is FR714.1F which heads east to another interscetion with a road going down hill. This road is not on the MVUM. The next intersection you come to will be the lower section of the earlier road that was not on the MVUM. Continue east through a small meadow. You will enter a section of trees. Just before you enter another small meadow look for a road to the right going down hill. This is FR713.1B, which is on the MVUM. The road across the meadow enters private property. Turn right and head down FR713.1B. You will pass through some small stands of trees before entering a thicker section of forest. Here the road will become steeper as you head down hill. In the trees are some remains of old cabins and possibly mine sites. Once you make it to small creek you will intersect with FR707, the Silver Creek 4WD road. The road to the right goes to private property. The road to the left heads up and back around Dakota Hill to Apex.
Data updated: March 31, 2014        4WD Road driven: July 11, 2011        Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2014