This cache started as a search and rescue effort for Daphne Duck, a Travel Bug. The bug was placed in a cache that could not be approved, and thus was abandoned along the trail to Mt. Ellinor. One of the friendly local approvers asked me to try and find the cache, remove it, and recover the Travel Bug. With few clues to go on, I nonetheless found the cache and recovered the wayward Daphne Duck. I continued along the trail to the summit of Mt. Ellinor and hid a cache of my own along the way.
The cache: The cache container is a small round and plastic container, hidden at the coordinates provided above. It's about ten feet from the trail center line. Additional clues are provided in the encrypted section below. Original contents include, An M-16 magazine, first-aid supplies, a new SOG tool, and more.
Important! The cache is hidden by six rocks and one small piece of bark, which is over to right side. Due to the proximity of the cache to the trail, it is essential that you hide it well.
The trail: The trail is the Mt. Ellinor Trail 812 in the Olympic National Forest near Hoodsport. The hike is along well maintained trails. It is very steep in places and the Forest Service has staircased it most of the way. If you begin at the Upper Trailhead, the hike is short and you need bring only day hiking supplies. Definitely bring your lunch and go just a little farther than the cache site to enjoy a picnic on the summit of Mt. Ellinor. You'll emerge above the tree line about 1/3rd of the way there, the trail will grow steeper as you near the cache and the summit. The views are spectacular and you will even be able to see the trailhead from the trail and summit. If you would like my tracklog points for the hike from the trailhead to the cache (and you have Garmin's Mapsource), send me an email and I'll send them to you.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at the trailhead. These are available at the ranger station in Hoodsport, you'll pass it on the way. 
Dogs - Children: This is not a difficult hike, plan on about three miles roundtrip. The trail is steep in places but there are plenty of opportunities to rest. I brought my five month old puppy, Patch, and he made it just fine (even with a pack of his own!) Bring plenty of water for your dog, none is available at the trailhead or along the trail. Children should be able to summit Mt. Ellinor without too much difficulty if they are in reasonable shape and have the dedication to get up there.
This photo shows the conditions during the last find, if a photo was provided.
Photo by DubyaDee
