The cache is located at the base of a cliff face, the top of which commands superb, long vistas of surrounding lands. It’s just north of the Indian Caves area of Pawnee National Grassland, situated in terrain and vegetation that must be reminiscent of the country just to the north during pre-settlement times. Those lands were the central focus of the Oglala Lakota Chief Red Cloud, when between 1866 and 1868 he waged the skillfully executed, effective war (termed by the US government “Red Cloud’s War”) against the US Army and the reckless gold-seekers who poured into the area and destroyed the American Natives’ lands and life style. He fiercely defended his people’s lands and is viewed as one of the most capable Native American opponents the US Army ever faced, as well as a great leader of his Tribe. After he signed a treaty in Washington, D.C., he worked hard to transition his people to a reservation life. Soon before his death he made a statement that's become famous. In referring to the US government he stated: "They made us many promises, more than I can remember. But they kept only one--they promised to take our land...and they took it."
Park at the Indian Caves Windmill--or in times when mud or snow conditions don’t allow access to the windmill, at County Road 124 to the south. Make the hike across public land to the cache vicinity and consider how Chief Red Cloud, in many terrain settings similar to this, might have used the landscape to monitor and track the army’s specific positions and its strength, and to design the surprise assaults the chief was so noted for. In all directions, the extant landscape from this overlook must be extremely similar to what existed 150 years ago during Red Cloud’s War.
The cache is a moderate-sized jar wrapped in black tape. It’s hidden at the base of a notch that’s incut into the cliff face, in a protective nook at the very back end of this broad V notch. The incut has a nice ledge area at it’s bottom, where the cache is located. When I hid the container, I sat on the ledge while eating lunch, with my feet on the ground below. So look for a nice luncheon sitting place as a good hint! A couple of rocks are placed over the cache to keep it in place. Please make certain to replace them.
Satellite signals are variable at the cache site, because of the cliff. I lost sat reception a couple of times on my GPS. The best readings might be attained by going to the top of the cliff (it’s easy, and not far above the cache) and getting "close" on the listed coordinates. Then peer over the edge and you’ll be looking at the lunch sitting ledge.
The hike from parking to GZ crosses extensive gardens of Prickly Pear Cactus. Don’t bring a dog unless the dog has experience with cacti. My puppy Orizaba has lots of such experience, and had no difficulty. The area is known for rattlesnakes, so either make this hike in the cool winter (on a day with little wind!), or be especially cautious during seasons or times of day when snakes are active.
From the windmill and back, the round trip distance is more than 2 miles. If combined with the loop for the nearby Indian Caves multi-cache, expect about 5 miles car-to-car. The entire loop can be made while staying on public land. In summer, bring plenty of water. Have fun, and make certain to spend some time at the top of the cliff pretending you are Chief Red Cloud or his scouts, planning an ambush.