the Sugarloaf-Mitchell Trail Junction Traditional Cache
Hidden : 9/15/2007
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
4.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


I tried to make this an easy hunt because the hike to it is so much fun. Mount Mitchell’s summit has sublime views of the South flank of Mt. St. Helens along with views of Mt Adams, Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier. As with any hike take all the necessary precautions i.e. bring your ten essentials and make sure you tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Please use your best geocaching and hiking judgment when attempting this trail, especially during the winter months. The cache was originally stocked with a FTF medallion, a Geocoin, a TB and a few old coins. Please post pictures if you can.

~~~UPDATE ~~~
THE OLD MITCHELL PEAK TRAILHEAD AT N46.02.707 W122.11.661 IS NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE FROM THE NORTH, NEAR THE SWIFT SPILLWAY (ROAD 10). THE ROAD HAS BEEN PRIVATELY ACQUISITIONED AND BLOCKED FROM PUBLIC USE. THE PEAK IS STILL ACCESSIBLE FROM THE SOUTH, BUT THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE REQUIRES NAVIGATING THE MAZE OF MILES OF LOGGING ROADS TOWARD AN UNMARKED TRAILHEAD, AND AN ARDUOUS 9.6-MILE TREK ALONG NORTH SIOUXON CREEK TO THE SUMMIT (That's nearly 20 miles round-trip!). PLEASE TAKE MAPS, COMPASS, GPS, AND ALL THE PRECAUTIONARY SUPPLIES (EXTRA FOOD AND WATER, EXTRA BATTERIES, A FULL TANK AND A SPARE TIRE...) PLEASE REPORT ANY ROAD AND TRAIL CONDITIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. DISCOVERY PASSES ARE REQUIRED AND CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE CHELATCHIE STORE AT THE CORNER OF HEALY ROAD.
New driving directions are as follows: From Yale Bridge Road (Hwy 503), turn east onto NE Healy Rd, and don't forget to fuel up & purchase your Discovery Pass at the Chelatchie Store. Just past the perfectly conical Tumtum Mountain, Healy turns into Forest Road 54. From FR 54, follow provided waypoints. (The road to the North Fork is designated as S-1000, but instead of veering left at the obvious road junction, I've marked waypoints at an alternative entry point (S-1035?), in order to avoid some of the heavy logtruck traffic.) The first waypoint is the first of two yellow gates marking the recreational easement to the unmarked trailhead, recognizable only by its log-lined parking pull-out and a bullet-riddled "Discovery Pass required" sign.

The best map of the area, showing good detail of both road and trail, can be found at (visit link)
The best handheld topo I've found is a National Geographic Trails Illustrated #822.

To avoid any confusion: this cache is NOT at the summit. There is an official summit log at the top, and another geocache (DHARMA BUMS ~ GC2XB51) that has since been placed precariously atop the craggy peak, but those are NOT this cache. See the hint and the spoiler pics for a better description of the cache location. And if you've made it this far, and want an additional challenge, try seeking out the archived ChCrist cache on Sugarloaf Ridge ~ GC1FXRE. It should still be there, at N 46° 01.608 W 122° 12.327. (see cache page for details.)

Good Luck, and have fun!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oruvaq n fghzc, 30 fgrcf qbja gur fvqr genvy gbjneq Fhtneybns Evqtr (genvy whapgvba: A46.01.704 J122.11.755).

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)


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