This cache marks a nice overlook and a shady place to stop along
the new Shannon Valley Open Space trails.
These are fresh new trails with lots of neighbors along some
sections, so out of respect to them opted against dropping more
caches. Please respect the neighbors and the open space hours.
From the lower trailhead by my X-1 cache, the hike to here is a
little under a mile, with some up and down and you'll end up about
300' higher. You can get here from another trailhead that's closer
(1/2 mile each way) but it's too close to another cache for me to
mark it with one of my own. :)
The trail ends a short distance (about 700' as the crow flies)
west of here, at "end of trail" and "private property" signs. It's
visible from the neighbor's place and I opted against placing a
cache there. However, if you walk west from the cache along the
trail for about a hundred yards, you'll get to to old and gnarled -
but still quite productive - apricot trees. You can see more of the
old orchard trees across the wash from the trail here, but those
are on private property.
The trails here have rattlesnake warnings which would be wise to
heed, and you'll need to watch for the other usual trail hazards
like ticks and poison oak in some areas. The trails are open to
foot, bicycle, and equestrian traffic. Dogs are allowed but be
prepared to clean up after them.
The cache is a decon container, place just off the trail. I had
a hard time with my averaging because of the large tree here, but
suffice to say that the cache is very near the big tree on the
uphill side of the trail.