Greyrock Mountain (elevation 7,613 feet) in Larimer County has a highly distinctive profile from Interstate 25 and other eastern vantages. Its steep southern aspect shows dramatically in silhouette as seen from the east. Many admirers of this Ranked Peak do not realize that the mountain’s lines from other directions are also remarkable and highly distinctive. This “Profile Series” consists of seven Traditional caches placed on Ranked Peaks that surround Greyrock Mountain, as well as this Multi-cache. Views of this mountain from each cache location and from the stages of the Multi are breathtaking, and each provides a special profile dimension of Greyrock. If you have as an objective finding all eight caches in this series, you will eventually view this marvelous mountain from many angles. To attain these views (as well as the treasures of the log books in all the cache containers) you will have hiked dozens of miles and have reached some remote areas. A major challenge confronting you will be discovering the most efficient approaches for accessing certain of these caches. Once you have logged all eight caches in the series, you will have satisfied the goals for a special challenge cache that I’ll be establishing. Don’t worry...I’ll have the challenge cache in place before you reach all of the cache destinations in this “Profile Series”! So enjoy this particular profile cache, and then work at the others. Enjoy your adventures as you “Profile” Greyrock Mountain!
"GREYROCK MOUNTAIN MULTI (REPRISED)"
In September 2007 Avengers published “Grey Rock Multi” (GC165RF). It was later archived. Their multi provided a marvelous loop tour of the Greyrock Mountain area that I really appreciated. I recently asked Avengers if I could reprise the cache and they were pleased. So I'm recreating it as Greyrock Mountain Multi (Reprised). In many respects the reprise is very similar to the original multi, but each hide location of this new cache differs from the placements used earlier. So those of you who found the former cache will have the fun of locating new container positions on the reprise.
This is a 3-stage multi cache on the Greyrock Trail off Highway 14 in Poudre Canyon. The trail loop used to access the three stages requires a significant hike involving about 6.5 miles and approximately 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The hike is certainly worth the effort! It gets you to some marvelous terrain and landscapes. Plan a schedule that will allow a nice break for lunch along the route. Be certain to carry extra water and food, as well as clothing for the sudden weather changes that are common in this area.
Greyrock Trail is a loop that consists of two separate trails that join: the Greyrock Meadow Trail, and the Summit Trail of Greyrock National Recreation Trail. The multi should be approached by taking the Meadow Trail to the final cache location; then, the Summit Trail should be used to return to the parking area. Adventurous cachers should also summit Greyrock Mountain by continuing past the final cache placement on a spur trail for an additional 0.75 mile (each way) to the summit. The top of Greyrock affords spectacular views of the rugged terrain in all directions!
Each of the three cache stages offers unique views of Greyrock Mountain, and the three containers have been camouflaged to appear like grey rocks. The first container (a medium-sized painted pill vial) holds the coordinates for finding the second cache site. Do NOT take the paper that provides these coordinates. Record the information and then move on. The second cache container is slightly larger (an altoid canister). It contains the coordinates for the final cache.
Enjoy this special mountain cache sequence. Other caches are in the area, including three marvelous EarthCaches. Plan your day so you can find some of these other caches, too! And HAVE A FUN HIKE!!