Grants Topo Map Challenge Mystery Cache
Grants Topo Map Challenge
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The cache is not at the listed coordinates. This cache requires multi-mile hiking or a high clearance vehicle.
The cache has a log book and room for small items.
This mystery will require you getting familiar with a topographic map and compass. I am a big proponent of knowing how to use a compass. In the event your GPS goes "poof" for whatever reason, having a map and compass (and knowing how to use them) will save your rump.
For this cache you will need a topographic map (Grants Quadrangle) obtainable from the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center south of Exit 85 at Grants, NM. You will also need a decent (Wally World is pushing it) compass. To orient your map correctly you need to know that we will be using 1997 magnetic north (as is utilized on your map) to find true north.
NOTE: There are electronic equivalents of topographic maps available (I utilize a few of them on a regular basis) however, they may not work well here. The measurements I use here are based on the physical map.
The map data we are using was originally compiled in the early 50's by the USGS (United States Geological Survey). If you have ever been benchmark hunting you are familiar with the marks that USGS utilized to help them create these maps.
The US Forest Service took over the responsibility of revising these maps in 1995.
The initial work presented here will all be done with a map. No need to go hunt up any coordinates yet. On your map you will need to locate a significant mark at UTM 240.47 E 3893.06 N. This is our starting point.
Now we will use degrees and the map scale to find a sequence of elevation benchmarks notes on the map with an "x". The points are chained together and will lead us to a final point.
359° for 1.3 to 1.5 miles
107° 1.5 to 2 miles
75° 1 to 1.5 miles
135° .7 to 2 miles
76° .5 to 2 miles
356° to a non-benchmark point approximately 0.12 to .13 miles "true" north of the road.
From this point You can see a small building roughly at 147° from ground zero (GZ), the highest visible point of East Grants Ridge at roughly 357° from GZ, and the peak of Mount Taylor at roughly 67° from GZ.
There is also a marker post 25° and 315 ft from GZ (A tree). For those of you who are willing to attempt this cache at night I have put a few fire tacks in the trunk. They will reflect your flashlight from quite a distance at night. However they will not help you during the day.
If you have found this point using only your compass and map, Congratulations! However if you get close enough with your map and can guess the coordinates within about 200 ft then you can find it also.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lbh jvyy arrq gb erfrnepu HGZ, qrterrf, qrpyvangvba, gevnathyngvba naq gurve hfntr jura ernqvat gbcbtencuvp zncf. Lbh jvyy arrq fbzr pyvzovat fxvyyf.