I thought I would place my first cache in an area I was frequenting in early July 2000. White Rock Canyon is in the Medicine Bow National Forest, just south of Arlington, WY (Exit 272 of I-80). The canyon is approachable from any vehicle, making this a short jaunt from the Interstate for any traveler.
To keep this an easy find, I’ll describe how to get to the trailhead (in a roundabout fashion.) From I-80, take Exit 272 to get onto County Road 402 (Elk Mountain – Arlington Rd). You will miss the exit if you look at the wind turbines too long. (If you have questions, stop at the Arlington Outpost Gas Station at the exit. Answers to the 8 common questions they hear are on the back wall. I’ve always gotten a kick out this. If it a hot summery day, you may consider stopping back here after cache hunting for ice cream. If your looking for a bite to eat, try the general store in Medicine Bow.) Head West on 402. You will pass a road leading to Rock Creek. (If you have time, you may consider hiking some of the Rock Creek National Recreational Trail. The trailhead is at N41.5773416 W106.2303111. The trail is moderately difficult since it is 12 miles long, at 8800-ft elevation, and winds up a narrow canyon. Supposedly a good trout fishing stream.) After passing Rock Creek road, you will enter the Wick/Bewmee Wildlife Management Area, so be sure to follow responsible land use guidelines. Turn onto Forest Road (FR) 111. Humans and vehicles must stay on this main road between Nov 16 – May 31 to avoid disturbing wintering wildlife. Travel south on FR 111 up the West Fork of Foote Creek and you will enter National Forest (NF) land. (If you are up here in late June or early July (as my wife and I are) the area will be abundant in beautiful wildflowers, hummingbirds, and flies. Near rivers, watch out for mosquitoes. After cache hunting, when you are returning to the interstate, this road provides many wonderful views of the wind turbines.) Soon after entering NF land, the road will fork. Take the right fork as far as it will go. You should end up at a parking area near White Rock Canyon (N41.5743863 W106.2868444, 8500-ft elevation).
White Rock Canyon, and the interesting erosional remnants (hoodoos) within it, were created by the East Fork of Wagonhound Creek eroding into white, cross-bedded sandstone. The geology and geomorphology of the area is quite fascinating. The cache is hidden near an erosional remnant with a canyon-silhouetted view of Elk Mountain in the distance.
The original 1.7-qt rubbermaid cache contains: a cache camera (please follow enclosed instructions), a large keychain ‘biner, a waiter’s assistant (cork puller), a keychain flashlight, a word game booklet, a sunglasses holder, Iowa postcards of the Mississippi (home), logbook, and a BONUS moss agate virtual cache for rockhounds (please do not take, leave for all to discover.)