Lion's Head Traditional Geocache
Mtn State Reviewer: Archiving as per email sent to Cache Owner.
Mtn State Reviewer
Volunteer Geocaching.com Reviewer
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is located in the premier backpacking area of Dolly Sods and is a good one to find along with Thea's Waterfall cache. It will require about eight miles of hiking.
You will need to be on Rt. 32 between Canaan Valley State Park and Dryfork, WV. Turn east on the Lanesville Rd. There is a brown sign for Dolly Sods. When you cross the bridge over Red Creek, there is a ranger cabin on the left and room for about 12 cars.
The coordinates are approximately N 38.58.332 W 079.23.897. Park at the ranger cabin and begin your hike upstream along Red Creek.
This is the Red Creek Trail (514). Head north up the trail. The trail is not always easily discerned, especially after flooding disturbs the area. It will swing uphill to your right and then drop back down. When you get near Big Stonecoal Trail (513) on your left, you will need to make a creek crossing. There is a large rock cairn on the west bank at: N 38.58.874 W 079.22.353.
This trail ascends the mountain for 1.4 miles. Near the end of the trail there are several switchbacks. The trail ends at Rocky Point Trail (554) at: N 38.59.879 W 079.22.304. Here you will turn right (east) and continue to: N 38.59.557 W 079.22.093. Turn left, up the hill and follow the rock cairns. You will come to a grove of pines. Walk east through them toward N 38.59.425 W 079.21.926. At this point a faint trail weaves its way to edge of cliffs. Follow the rock cairns and work your way toward the Lion’s Head. To see why the formation bears the name, you must actually go to the south end of the cliff’s and look back to the coordinates.
The cache is located in a small crevice under a very small and dying spruce tree. The tree is only a couple of feet in height. One rock blocks the container. Please be careful to return the cache and rock back exactly to their proper place.
Since it is doubtful that many children would be making the arduous journey to this site, the original cache did not include any trinkets, just a log book. Please be sure to view the photos, as they will greatly assist you in finding the cache.
The cache site is very close to the Lion's Head formation itself (N38.59.332 W079.21.996). There is a small granite memorial disk embedded on the top of the formation.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)