Geocaching & Letterboxing
What’s different about Geocaching and Letterboxing with Canyon Bikes? You will enjoy your treasure hunt aboard a rental bike, while riding one of the most spectacular bike trails in all of Colorado. The Glenwood Canyon Trail is a 16-mile ribbon of concrete that winds along the Colorado River, by towering canyon walls, through lush riverside picnic areas, across creeks and nearby hiking trails. Most treasures are found close to the bike trail and will be an exciting addition to your bike ride.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a new high-tech treasure hunting game played all over the world. GPS owners use their sense of adventure to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, in parks, forests, and along trails. Containers typically have a logbook, trade items or memorabilia toys, stories or poems. When finished, you can share your experiences online at various geocaching websites. Geocaching is fun for everyone!
The following Geocache locations are perfect for finding as you bike the Glenwood Canyon Trail. They are numbered 1-11, #1 being the closest to Glenwood Springs, and moving east towards Dotsero.
Geocache Name |
GPS Location |
Code |
Notes/Hints |
1. Pink Floyd |
N 39° 33.016 |
GC12RWX |
Easy. Healthy. |
2. The Aqueduct Cache |
N 39° 33.743 |
GC451B |
Easy, but vertical. |
3. No Name |
N 39° 33.546 |
GCWJXA |
Easy. |
4. GWS No Name Rest Stop |
N 39° 33.500 |
GCKVTO |
Easy. At rest area. |
5. Above-Below |
N 39° 33.646 |
GCWJWZ |
Moderate. |
6. Grizzly Creek Stop (virtual cache) |
N 39° 33.631 |
GCGACN |
Easy. For credit - email name of plaque. See Canyon Bikes staff. |
7. Consolation Prize |
N 31° 56.734 |
GC1QHHZ |
Easy. |
8. Hanging Lake (Earth cache. Visit a point of interest) |
N 39° 36.078 |
GC1T7NJ |
Difficult. Hike 1.2 mi one way to natural lake. |
9. French Creek Folly |
N 39° 36.590 |
GC1B7H6 |
Moderate, rocky, some vertical. You can do it! |
10. Watch For Bairs |
N 39° 36.839 |
GCWJX6 |
Easy. |
11. Bair Lair |
N 39° 36.881 |
GC13VHY |
Easy - Watch for high water. |
Geocaching Overview
- Choose any Geocache from the above list.
- Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
- Once you find a treasure, sign the logbook, trade or leave memorabilia and return the geocache to its original location.
Ready for more? Visit geocaching.com
Letterboxing
Letterboxing is an old fashioned treasure hunting game that does not require any technical equipment. You combine a sense of adventure, riddle or puzzle solving skills, navigational expertise and rubber-stamping hobby into a "treasure hunt" of the Glenwood Canyon.
To get started, you’ll need a “trail name” (which is your letterboxing identity), a rubber stamp, pencil or pen, small journal, one or more ink pads, and a simple compass (optional). Once you have your kit you are ready to begin your treasure hunt. If you do not have your own kit, a Letterboxing kit can be put together with a quick visit to a local drug store. (Beware…. you will likely get hooked on this old fashioned hobby and find yourself planning a more comprehensive kit once you get home!)
Below are Letterboxing locations that can be found while bike riding the Glenwood Canyon Trail. They are numbered 1-5. #1 starts at the western end of Glenwood Canyon.
Letterbox Name |
Starting Location |
Notes/Hints |
1. Colorado Cavern |
Yampah Hot Springs in Glenwood Spgs |
Lots of traffic so be discreet. |
2. No Name |
No Name Rest Area. Glenwood Canyon |
Watch out for bike riders. |
3. Zebediah Gump-Grizzly Creek |
Grizzly Creek Rest Area |
Read this story carefully. The clues are in the story. |
4. Crazy Bull |
Hanging Lake Rest Area Exit 125 on I70 |
Hike 1.2 mi one way to natural lake. Worth the hard work! |
Letterboxing Overview
- Choose any Letterbox from the above list and get clues and details from Canyon Bikes staff.
- Once you find a treasure, stamp YOUR journal with the stamp left in the Letterbox, trade or leave memorabilia, then add your personalized stamp to the journal in the box for others to see and read.
THAT’S IT! VERY SIMPLE! USE THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS & HAVE FUN!!! Make sure all treasures are properly sealed to keep weather out and re-placed exactly where and how you found them. If rocks or brush were hiding them, do your part to re-hide it. Oh, and don’t forget to share your adventures, stories and photos online!
Ready for more? Visit letterboxing.org
Know Before You Go
- The Geocaches and Letterboxes listed here on this Canyon Bikes website are family friendly. Some locations require hiking or climbing, but are easy to navigate. Most treasures can be reached from the Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail.
- Always pack water, food, trail map, sunscreen, extra batteries and a watch.
- Do not forget your camera. Glenwood Canyon is a picture paradise!
- Plan to pack out all trash.
- Make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you intend to return.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Watch where you are walking at all times. Beware of poisonous plants, wildlife, and rugged terrain.
- These Glenwood Canyon Geocaches and Letterboxes are not in remote areas but it is always smart to carry extra water and food.
- Be respectful of the environment, and any sensitive plant or wildlife habitat. Historical areas must not be defaced. Follow all obvious property rights and laws, including no trespassing signs.