This cache location of
GCY3C0 has gone over much better than I expected with each of
the cachers who have visited despite the abundance of trash and
vandalism in the immediate area. This is a great opportunity to
come see this historic look out tower in it's "natural habitat"
before it gets moved to Gold Bug Park in Placerville (which could
theoretically happen just 8 or 9 days after the event). The Forest
Service has generously offered to provide a stake side truck(s), so
the only thing we need to do is fill 'er up 
! Please be sure to dress appropriately
with sturdy shoes or boots and a good pair of gloves. Long pants
and long sleeves would be highly suggested. I should be able to
provide a bunch of dust masks for anyone handling fiberglass
insulation. Children are discouraged unless they are old enough to
be actively participating and under the direct supervision of an
accompanying adult.
There are still quite a few details to be worked out (including
the start time) so I will update the cache page as I get the
information. There's a possibility that you may have to fill out a
volunteer waiver per the National Forest Service - if so I will
help that be as pain free and efficient as possible. I will be
making a "field trip" to the area with a member of the Forest
Service to discuss our game plan and then update this web site
accordingly. I will also be taking some "before" pictures to go
along with the "after" pictures once we are done. Right now I'm
trying to get this posted so those who are interested can set the
date aside.
Car pooling from Sly Park or along Bonetti Road would be highly
suggested for a few reasons:
1) so you don't get lost getting up there (no, that would never
happen to geocachers 
)
2) the road is not super friendly to your typical passenger car
3) there's not an abundance of places to park without getting in
the way of the clean up.
Should we finish up at the tower earlier than expected and
there's still some energetic folks around, there's plenty to move
along to along Bonetti Road. Or we can simply save that endeavor
for "next time".
For those who have never attended a C.I.T.O. Event before, there
is an incredible sense of camaraderie and accomplishment at the end
of the day. I would think even moreso for this one located in the
middle of a National Forest. Every cacher should be privileged with
that feeling at least once - why not come join us for this one!
Update 9/9/07: Event will be
held from 11am to 3pm. We can definately start earlier if folks are
interested. I'm trying to allow enough time to get to the CITO site
with Bonetti Road being closed. See the logs below for details.
Additionally: Please bring gloves and any other useful tools that
you see fit...crowbars, hammers, etc. Also any drinks or snacks
that you would like. I will provide a bunch of dust masks and bring
as many extra pairs of gloves that I can round up.
Update 9/15/07: Alright…it's
looking like we might not have the scoop down on the shuttling
until the day before and possibly even the day of the event. It
will be crucial for participants to give me a heads up before hand
on how far they can get their vehicle in.
If possible, I would suggest as many folks as possible drive in
to the junction of Happy Valley and Bonetti Rd (
waypoint JCTHVB below). It is paved the entire way, albeit very
narrow. I will include a map
image on the cache page and I also have track files in .tpo,
.gbd, .mps, and .gpx format if that helps. Just e-mail me and I'll
send them to you. Since Bonetti Road will be closed above this, you
should be able to park along the road north of this waypoint. This
would only be a 3.5 mile shuttle to the CITO site. Note if you have
a large vehicle, you may get some brush marks on your paint
(nothing permanent - I hope!). I made it through in my Civic in
good order. If you are concerned about this route, it is IMPERATIVE
that you let me know before hand so we can arrange a ride from
Fleming Meadows (
waypoint FMPA also listed below).
Another alternative would be to have two shuttles; one from
Fleming Meadows to Camp Creek (before construction site) and a
second from Camp Creek (after construction site) to the CITO site.
However this all depends on if the construction crew is working
that day and if you are able to safely walk past the construction
site (again, may not know until day of event).
Note if you live between Plymouth and Pleasant Valley, another
option would be to drive in along Happy Valley Road from Somerset.
This is a long and very windy road, the latter half of it some very
soft and dusty dirt. I also made it in with my Civic, but I would
have never done so if I wasn't following the Ranger in the FS truck
who could radio for help if necessary. And although I made it in
that way, I highly doubt I would have made it out that way. If you
have a high clearance vehicle (2WD or 4WD) you should have no
problem. Again, I have a map
image as well as some waypoints and track files if you prefer
this route 
.
Update: 9/19/07 Okay, here's the
final scoop.
Assembly area will be at the Fleming Meadows Parking Area (see
waypoint
FMPA). I want to get started on the clean up by 11am which
means you should be to the assembly area by 10 am so we can leave
by 10:15 am (there might be a new cache or two along the way
). We will play follow the leader up
to waypoint
JCTHVB and then shuttle ad lib from there.
IF YOU THINK YOU NEED A RIDE FROM
FLEMING MEADOWS, SEND ME AN E-MAIL AHEAD OF TIME SO I KNOW TO
EXPECT YOU. WE WILL BE LEAVING AT 10:15 AM SHARP!
From there we should have a fairly regular shuttle going to
and from the top. Worst case scenario, just meet us at the
top. Remember I made it in my Civic.
See you all Saturday 
!
FYI - the plan I was hoping for did not work out because the
construction site is scheduled to be 22' deep by Saturday with the
road being closed 0.25 miles below it 
.
Before:
AFTER: