Cache is available in winter if there has been no snow, or it's in patches.
Sometimes the gondola is running and you can ride up or down within a mile of the cache:
$30 daily pass for gondola SENIOR and MILITARY Rate + taxes
$30 daily pass for CHILD
Free for children under 5
$40 daily pass + taxes
You can no longer ride the gondola down for free. $20 for single down ride on gondola
The cache is to the right off of the trail on top of an open hilltop. The cache is regular container nestled between two larger rocks and partially covered with a rock. This hike is about 5-6 miles round trip with an elevation change of about 1300 ft. The views are well worth it. Do not continue on the trails – they do not return to the parking area. You must return the way you came – unless you are backpacking for a few days. Otherwise, you must backtrack or hike down the ski slopes to return to the parking area.
If you have energy left, you might like to continue on Outlook Trail #78 past the gondola building to the observation deck on top of the Lookout Mountain (elevation 11,483 ft.). This cache has views to die for. You start at an elevation of 9964 ft. which can be breath taking for flatlanders. You are going to a cache at an elevation of 11,273 ft.
At the cache on a clear day you will have a great panoramic view. On your right is a 45 mile lava flow called the Valley of Fires (BLM has a beautiful recreation area/campground in the flow for both RVs and tent campers 4 miles west of Carrizozo). The flow runs south and ends only 14 miles from the start of the dazzling dunes of White Sands National Park. Looking lower you can see the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site (home of over 25,000 glyphs on 50 acres on public land managed by BLM). The highest peak you see on your left is Sierra Blanca (on Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, elevation 11,973 feet). Turning further left is Ski Apache area and a view of the Captain Mountains.
High Altitude Hints
These hints are because the Cache Owner is on the White Mountain Search and Rescue Team (Lincoln County region) and subjects we've helped out have always been unprepared, and their smart phones dead.
Make sure to hike with a friend.
Make sure to look at the weather forecast and dress for the weather. Always good to pack along a lightweight poncho or a 30-gallon trash bag to make into a poncho. Doesn't hurt to have a long-sleeve shirt in your pack either.
If you're from low altitudes, it's always good to pack along a couple of little oxygen canisters - sold at Ruidoso Walmart. If you start feeling bad on the hike, it might be altitude sickness starting. Stop and drink a quart of water, which will thin out your blood. If that happens, though, give up the search and head back down. It's not a DNF - it's prevention. If you continue to feel bad, time to call 911 and help will come quick.
Thus, be sure to have a day pack with water, snacks, etc. If you bring something like a Jetboil, you can melt snow from various patches for water but your main water should be something like a 3-liter hydration bladder.
It's good not to spend all day on the cell or smart phone and use up the battery (unless you have a solar charger). With two people, just keep one of the phones off and in reserve. If you get in a bind, you need to have 1/4 to 1/2 battery power to talk to the 911 Sheriff's Dispatcher and or the team leader coming to help you.