This cache was hidden during the 25th Annual Red Rock Balloon Rally
in Gallup, NM. The rally is held the first weekend in December each
year. This is the second largest annual balloon rally in the world
with over 200 balloons participating. This is a unique area for
balloon flights with the great scenery and variable wind currents
that can take the balloon up and down the canyons and over the red
rock cliffs.
We carried the cache container (a 50 cal ammo box) with us on
our flight and landed on top of a rock "finger". We then dropped
the cache off and flew away. After "playing' among the rocks for
another hour, we landed, packed up the balloon and then hiked back
to the hiding place. We wanted to assure that it could be accessed
by foot and to set the difficulty rating.
The route we used was to start north up the Church Rock trail
and just south of the first rock cairn, head west across the arroyo
and up the slope. There is a well defined trail up to the top and
back south.
The cache is fairly close to the trail. Please replace and hide
it as well or better than you found it.
Caution, the trail follows a narrow ridge that can be slick and
unstable. I have seen children and dogs up there but please use
caution.
Red Rocks State Park is open year round and has camping sites
for tents, trailers, campers and RVs.
Trade equal, trade up, or just sign the log. And always CITO.
This is beautiful area with breathtaking views. Take only pictures,
Leave only footprints. If you visit here during the Red Rock
Balloon Festival please look me up. I will most likely be there
somewhere. Email me through Geocaching or just ask the other
balloonist where Don Boyer is.
Up close and personal to a BIG ROCK!