Located about 40 miles west of Denver, the primitive Empire trail is a popular one with ATVers. Empire is a small town with few services you will need to pack along everything you will be needing with you for your ATV ride.
From the parking area you won't be able to see the high mountains. First, you have to drive up the mountain road past some old mines, stop and take a few photographs, once on top of the mountains, there are even more photo opportunities. The mines are not blocked off but do not enter them. There are gases in some old mines that you cannot smell nor see but they can kill you in minutes. Never explore old mines. Also, many old mines have become bat habitats, and you really don't want to surprise several hundred bats that are sleeping just inside.
Once you are near the tree line on your ATV, the area opens up. These are multi-use trails so expect to see other traffic such as other ATVs, motorcycles, and jeeps. Some parts of the ATV trails are rough and will require some technical skill to pass. If you have experience riding intermediate to hard trails on your ATV this should be a piece of cake. The more power your ATV has, the easier this section of ATV trail will be for you.
Remember, you are in higher elevations and even in August, snow is a great possibility. Dress appropriately in layers and remember even though it might be comfortably warm where you parked and got going at the ATV trailhead, the higher elevations may be cold. Another great photo opportunity past the old mines is an old cabin near Bill Moore Lake, there is abundant wildlife in the area so have your camera ready!
