The very lack of trails and access to this location is the very
thing that truly places this cache in the heart of Wild America.
Yep it's a tough trek to get up here but man is it worth
it.
Welcome to the home of cougar, deer, elk,moose,
raccoon, coyotes, pine martins, rock marmots, owls, bald eagles,
and all sorts of other critters. Hike quietly as you can and you
should have a glimpse of at least a few of these
residents!
Your mission to this cache is two fold. First, of course, find
the .30 camo'd ammo box, make your high quality trades and sign the
log. Secondly, note the rock plateau about 25 yards to the south
below the hiding location. It is located at N 40° 30.531 W 111°
43.234. Truly this is one of the most photogenic locations along
the Wasatch Front with a clear unobstructed and commanding view of
Box Elder Peak to the south. Your second mission is to take and
post your digital picture of you and your intrepid hiking friends
at this location and post it with your log. Just like this:
Also keep that camera handy and ready as the wildlife you can
see on the way up/over will present itself quickly then disappear.
While placing the cache I saw several deer, a fawn, snakes, and a
fox eating a grouse. It is a magnificent way to experience Utah's
Wild America in a surprisingly close location.
Just like the rest of my alpine caches, this one is difficult.
No matter which way you take you guaranteed a hard hike and, like
my nearby "Stayin' Alive Too" cache, a fair amount of bushwhacking
through the laurel. There are scattered game trails in the area but
they are inconsistent and unpredictable. Maybe going up the creek
beds will be your best option... the rocks can be dangerous
especially in the spring when the water's flowing. Also if you make
it up this far it is relatively short scramble over to Little
Cottonwood Canyon and you'll have a great view of the approaches.
Bottomline: If you log this one, you have CoolCache's respect.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please come prepared with high quality trade
items on this one... the best you have. These are preemo caches in
a preemo location.
>>>> 9/15/07: In good shape with good trades still.
Thanks.
TREKKING AIDS:
- DRYCREEK TRAILHEAD AND PARKING: N 40° 28.962 W 111°
45.031
- STAY TO THE RIGHT AT THIS POINT ON TRAIL FOR EASIER ACCESS
TO RIVER CROSSING POINT: N 40° 30.159 W 111° 43.380. If you go
left, you're in for a hellacious bushwhack.
- SAFE CROSSING POINT ACROSS THE RIVER TO THIS CACHE: N
40° 30.376 W 111° 43.141. It's a safe 3 foot jump. This will be
less of a player if the spring run-off is not in progress. If it
is, this creek can be a dangerous river.
- CACHE ORDER SUGGESTION: After logging Abbey's Rescue, do
Cougar, Stayin' Alive Too, Wild America, then Moxie. You will
double back a bit on this order but the best line to go up is
towards Cougar cache.
- SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT: Long pants, gaitors, pair of good
hiking poles, 1.5 gallons of water, Gatorade or other electrolyte
mix (some in party may need this bad as they didn't hydrate and
this can prevent dizziness or fainting), first aid kit, cell phone
(you'll have coverage), extra batteries (everyone always runs out
up here), good sturdy and broken-in hiking boots (no tennis shoes;
one cacher had them and her feet bottoms got badly bruised and
beaten by the trail rocks).
- DOGS: Your dog will have to be in great shape and
"mountain-qualified" i.e. be able to negotiate and tackle heavy
brush, rock jumping, boulder scrambling, and steep, smooth rock
face climbs with confidence. If they aren't up to it and
experienced in this, I suggest leaving them at home unless you want
to carry them out. Even an in-shape dog will be exhausted after
your hiking day is over. Also your dog should be trained and
well-mannered around horses (i.e. no barking, chasing) as you can
encounter many on the trail.
- TIMING: With a leisurely and enjoyable pace, plan on
being on the trail 11 hours to log all the caches up
there.
CoolCache's Dry Creek Trail Caches: Hitting all of these will
take most of the day... start early! Several other good caches are
in the area too making your visit up here productive. Finally all
my upper caches are rated 5/5 to reflect the effort involved even
though they are all easy finds once there (as it should be!)