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Elbow Valley Loop Col Traditional Cache

Hidden : 9/3/2007
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This is located in a pristine spot at the summit of the elbow valley loop trail. A 43 km bike ride will bring you to this cache and back to the parking lot. Otherwise a 2 day hike is in order.

Bike or hike (maybe ski in the winter) - but absolutely do not snow mobile to this site. This is part of the ESN Series (Exercise for Solitude and Nature series) - so you wouldn't use anything that harms the terrain or hurts someone else's enjoyment of the area - right!

A strong mountain biker will complete the loop in 2-4 hours. For the rest of us a 6 hour plan is often safer. The loop starts in the Elbow Valley parking lot. There is debate as to whether clock wise on counter clockwise is the preferred approach. From my perspective:

Clockwise: You get to face the better views.
The up hill portions are some what shorter and much steeper. A lot of bike pushing (unless you are really hard core at this)
The uphill portions are largely single track
The downhill portions (where you have fun and go fast!) are on the safer double track.

Counter-Clockwise
Going in puts you on a narrow road with tall trees on both sides - thus limited view access when going in and you have your back to the views coming out)
The uphill is easier as it is spread out over a much longer distance. Most people could stay on their bikes for the whole ride in.

In general - if you're going for the views go clock-wise. If you are going for a non-stop, ass in the air, head down bike ride - go counter clock wise!

When you get to the high point of the col, stop at a large strange metal item that is definitely out of place. Walk to the cache from here. Afterwords, try and figure out what the metal device is. Email me your best guess.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Tb gb gur vyyrtny svercvg ng A50 41.843 J114 58.767 naq gura jnyx 16 cnprf ng 092 qrterrf. Ybbx haqre gur ynetr snyyra gerr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)