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The Pit, The Rock & The Tree Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

IgnotusPeverell: Greetings. I'm IgnotusPeverell, one of the volunteer reviewers for geocaches submitted to Geocaching.com.

I can't find any recent responses from Polaski about maintaining this cache. Cache maintenance includes: replacing broken or missing containers, replacing full or wet logs, updating any changes to the text, updating coordinates, removing the needs maintenance attributes, enabling the listing, and more. Check out all of a geocache owner's responsibilities here. This cache is being archived, and removed from the active cache listings.

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IgnotusPeverell
Volunteer Reviewer for Colorado and New Mexico
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Hidden : 4/4/2008
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A cache and dash located along East Bound I-70. This rest area was created for rafters to pull-out at the end of the Glenwood Canyon to South Canyon stretch. It also makes a great place to stop and stretch your legs and get the blood circulating again!

The Pit – Located up river on the South side of the Colorado. It is the fenced in area right next to the river. In the early 70’s students from CSU would come over and excavate dinosaur bones from this pit. As they dug deeper, below the level of the river, large pumps had to be placed around the pit to allow the digging to continue. Eventually they reached the point where it was too unsafe to dig and rely on the pumps to keep the water out, so the site had to be abandoned. The pit has spent the past 30+ years sitting silent, fenced off, just out of the reach of wondering eyes.

The Rock – 34 years ago when I first started rafting the Colorado, I spent the longest few seconds of my life churning in the backwash and under-tow of the “Dinosaur Rock”. Depending on the time of year, this rock serves as a resting place for waterfowl and raptors, but usually not at the same time. As the water level starts to rise, the rock goes into hiding, just below the surface of the river. Many a raft has been torn when gliding over its top. As the river continues to rise, to the high water levels, the rock takes on the role of a raft eater. Several a raft has gone over its top, just to be trapped in its reversal. With luck, both raft and rafters are thrown clear after a few tumbles in the current.

The Tree – Ponderosa Pines dot the edges of the Colorado River in the South Canyon stretch. These trees serve as perches to the great American Bald Eagle. Eagles can be seen flying up and down the river, stalking their prey. Once located, they fall from the sky and with a giant wing slap on the water, talons forward, snagging a fish, which just seconds ago was rising to snag its own dinner of nymphs, gnats or water strider, the large raptor flies back to the large open branches to sit and eat its meal in solitude. These huge trees also serve as nesting sites for the Bald Eagle; however none has used this tree since about the late 70’s.

The cache is a 30 caliber Ammo can with lots of great stuff for kids & grown-ups. It’s located at the top of the rocks slope above the river, so keep safety in mind.

Congratulations to Roaring Fork for the FTF :0)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh znl or fvggvat ba vg!

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)