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; a Multi-staged Cache; and this Mystery Cache. Parameters of the seven Traditionals and the Multi are listed in this table.
Caches in "Profiles of Greyrock Mountain" Series
| # |
Cache Name |
GC # |
Difficulty |
Terrain |
Yosemite Class |
| 1 |
Southern View |
GC2JQDR |
2.00 |
3.00 |
Class 2 |
| 2 |
Southwestern View |
GC2JRJ6 |
1.50 |
4.00 |
Class 2+ |
| 3 |
Western View |
GC2KRKN |
2.00 |
5.00 |
Class 4 |
| 4 |
Northern View |
GC2KTA1 |
2.00 |
5.00 |
Class 3 |
| 5 |
Northeastern View |
GC26C63 |
2.00 |
5.00 |
Class 2 |
| 6 |
Eastern View |
GC2KH12 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
Class 2+ |
| 7 |
Southeastern View |
GC2KK1C |
2.00 |
4.00 |
Class 2 |
| 8 |
Multi-cache |
GC2JPAT |
3.50 |
3.50 |
Class 1 |
Views of Greyrock Mountain from each of these cache locations and from the stages of the Multi are breathtaking, and each provides a special profile dimension of Greyrock. To locate this Mystery Cache you will need to visit a minimum of three of these eight caches. The “mystery” associated with the effort is that the information required to calculate the location of the cache is found in only three of the Traditional and/or Multi caches-- but which three of the eight is unknown to you. If good fortune shines on you, you’ll collect the information in the first three caches you visit! On the other hand, poor fate could result in the need for you to find all eight caches in order to obtain the needed bearings to calculate the location of the final.
In any case, by the time you have the information needed to locate the Mystery Cache, you will have viewed this marvelous mountain from several angles, and you’ll feel satisfied and fulfilled by your efforts and success. And in attaining these views (as well as the treasures of the log books in all of the cache containers you’ve found!) you may have hiked dozens of miles and have reached some remote areas. Discovering the most efficient approaches for accessing certain of these caches will require careful review of maps, as well as experience in off-trail, backcountry navigation.
As you find each cache, look in the cache container to determine if it holds a special Code and True bearing you will need to determine the coordinates of the Mystery Cache. Three of the eight caches contain the Codes. Look specifically for the Code and the bearing on the inside of the cache’s lid. The Code is also written on a card that accompanies the cache container’s log. When you find a Code, write the bearing associated with that Code in the following table. Also, be certain to record in the table the specific cache you’ve found the Code/bearing in. You will need to recall the cache so you have its coordinates for your subsequent map work.
X
| - Cache - |
- Code - |
- True Bearing - |
|
| __________ |
A= |
_______°T |
|
| __________ |
B= |
_______°T |
|
| __________ |
C= |
_______°T |
|
The bearing that is specified with the associated Code is the bearing FROM the Mystery Cache position, to your location where you have found the particular Code. NOTE: the cache was created before the advent of software that is commonly used today--at a time when plotting of coordinates was done on USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles, and bearings were determined using protractors. To adjust the bearings for the accuracy allowed using today's technology, modify the three codes as follows: CODE A--no change is necessary. CODE B--add 0.2 degree T to the bearing given in the code. Code C--subtract 0.35 degree T from the bearing given in the code. After you have obtained the three bearings, work with your 7.5-minute map for the Poudre Park quadrangle or with your mapping software to determine the coordinates where the Mystery Cache container is hidden.
The terrain in the vicinity of the cache has many potential hiding places, but the specific location should be easy to recognize if you arrive near the proper GZ. When you have made your calculation, you are welcome to e-mail me your computed coordinates. If you are in the "ball park", I will help with any tweaking of your coordinates if necessary, and I can e-mail photos that will ensure that you will locate the cache on your first attempt. It’s a long hike to the Mystery Cache coordinates, and if you have performed all of the advance work correctly and have computed reasonably close coordinates, I want to make certain that you will find the container!
Good luck. Have fun with the challenges associated with obtaining the information and doing the map work needed to get you to this cache location! And really appreciate the various profiles you will observe of Greyrock Mountain!