Celtic Ridge Traditional Geocache
GeoDesertTiger: No response from cache owner. Cache archived.
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7.15. Archive or unarchive a geocache
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A couple mile walk up an old road into the Dry Lake Hills of Flagstaff, then a moderate hike up a ridge. There are some open meadows, decent views in places, and I have always found deer on the ridges. Of the three caches I placed in the vicinity this is my favorite. Nothing special, just a sense of wilderness in an old growth forest a few miles out of the city. Cache is a fist sized container with room for smaller trades.
The Dry Lake Hills are the lower hills northwest of Mt. Elden, north downtown Flagstaff. The dry lakes are seasonal “lakes” that for the most part are large open meadows.
I have walked this area a few times and have started from the Sunset Trail Parking area off Shultz Pass Rd. From there the trail is an old road up the hill and through the meadow. The cache is up on a small ridge. There are many other potential routes up. I’ll attach a map showing my route with a few waypoints noted. A loop of all three caches I placed up here took me about 6. 4 miles with an elevation gain of 1,095 feet. My max elevation showed 8,475 feet. The slope going up from the Sunset trailhead is gradual and made a nice day hike.
Cache is named “Celtic Ridge” as on the topos there were no specific names for this feature so I decided to name it. Started it of with only one trade; a cool little toy matchbox front-end loader.
Good opportunities to see wildlife up here. I have always seen deer on this ridge and last fall came across a huge vulture working on a fox in the meadow. Last fall I also saw a few elk. Aside from the occasional mt. biker this area is generally quiet.
Notes and Warnings. There are currently rabies warnings for this area of Flagstaff. The Shultz Pass area and north side of Mt. Elden are also known to have mountain lions. Use caution with younger hikers and pets. Although the caches are placed off trail they are located to cause minimal impact. Cache probably won’t be available during the winter.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
sebz gur uhtr obhyqre gur pnpur vf nobhg 20 sg a-a-r haqre n ebpx – fznyy pnvea ba gbc gb uryc