The Solar System - Mars Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Scale model of the Solar System, using the Grouse Ridge Lookout as the Sun. This cache is on a mountain top, with cliffs near by. Not recomended for small children. Altitude 7000' +
This is one of my favorite spots - bring a camera!
Scale model of the Solar System - 4 of 9
Scale: 1 inch equals 5000 miles
Object: Mars
Actual size: 4,222 mi
Actual orbit: 141,635,350 mi
Scale size: 0.84 in
Scale orbit: 2,361 ft
(0.45 mi)
In this model, the Grouse Ridge Lookout represents the Sun, and each cache represents the location of a planet at its scale orbit. The lookout building is the correct scale size of Sol for this model - 14.4 feet across. (Ok, so it's a square Sun, sorry!) Some caches have a reference stick - a tagged object in the cache of the correct size - but please bring a measuring tape or something to use (reference sticks keep wandering off!)
The point is to get a clear idea of the scale of our Solar system. Unlike many other scale models, Sol is visible from all the planets (although you will need binoculars from some of the outer planets!)
If you only visit one planet, visit Earth - it has its moon tethered to it, and the dimensions are a bit of a surprise to most people. 
Most of this series lies above 7000 feet. The cache is under snow from about November to late May. If you want more info on this series of caches (including a full spoiler, so you can do the whole tour of all planets in one day with no hunting) go to the website (visit link)
Cache is at the base of a tree. View Sol from a point about 5 feet North of the cache location.
Original cache contents:
- Logbook
- Pencil
- Planet.
Please do not remove planets! If people have left trinkets, feel free to exchange, but the original cache items should remain.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)