Inner Sanctum - View of Red Top Traditional Cache
Inner Sanctum - View of Red Top
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache was originally intended to be placed at the summit of Red Top (Peak 4467), a dramatically symmetrical desert mountain at the head of the most southwestern portion of Inner Pasture. The container made it to the top with me but once there, I decided the location was not in keeping with Anza Borrego Desert State Park rules for Geocaches placements. Consequently, I dropped it off at this location at sunset on my return hike back to the Agua Caliente trailhead.
A long walk from any of several starting points is required to access the cache.
One approach is to start from Agua Caliente County Park and follow the Moonlight Trail to Inner Pasture. There is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle. A bonus reward after your trek is the opportunity to soak out any aches and pains in one of the two hot springs-fed pools. Round trip distance to/from the County Park day use parking area is about 10 miles with a net elevation gain of 1500’.
On my visit I did not see a single human footprint after descending from the Moonlight Trail on to the broad tilting plain of Inner Pasture. Ahead of you the skyline is dominated by the aptly named Sawtooth Mountains. Along the way you may notice grinding slicks or other signs of generations of seasonal Kumeyaay inhabitants. You also stand a good chance of spotting Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, deer, or other desert denizens.
The cache is an 8-inch tall cylindrical tin container. It is hidden near the south facing base of a conspicuous boulder pile. Initial contents include a handmade bead gecko, a silver horned lizard charm, a silver gecko charm, a selection of lizards, and a key ring flashlight.
For those with extra energy, Red Top is very worthwhile climb. It may be the most remote named summit in the southern portion of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. In the last mile, you climb nearly 2,000 feet with the last 1/4 mile involving very steep terrain with huge boulders and vegetation obstacles to challenge your navigation skills.
Normal desert hazards. Please bring plenty of water (4 liters per person is advised). Not recommended for day-time hiking during summer.
Enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Oruvaq n gvygrq tebhaq-yriry obhyqre. Nobhg 7 srrg AR bs n urqtrubt pnpghf.