Sphynx Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is located in the Gray Creek pass area of the east shore of Kootenay Lake.
As of September, 2010, the road is deactivated, and I think this means that only ATVs can make it up the road now.
To get to the parking spot, you must drive up the new Gray Creek pass road, but after a couple of switchbacks you turn off onto the old Gray Creek pass road. A quad would work well to take you to the parking area.
This road looks more like a creek bed, the torrential rains we've had recently have made their mark. The alders are snuggling up to the road, too, so don't bring a vehicle that you don't want scratched. High clearance 4wd vehicle is a must.
Park at these coords: N49 36.948 W116 39.619 at an elevation of 6330 feet. Follow the path that leads you to the saddle at Sphynx Mtn, but you don't want to go all the way to the saddle. You will see a ridge on your left as you are hiking up. The cache is up on the ridge. There is no path leading to the ridge, but from there we were able to access the west peak of Sphynx - something you couldn't do if you carried on up the conventional route to the saddle.
Elevation at the cache is 7380 feet. Most of the way to the cache is a hike on a trail, but the final ascent is more like a scramble. Carry on from the cache - using your map & find your way to the summit of west Sphynx - well worth the sweat!!
The wild flowers were beautiful when we were there. Enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ornhgvshy byq fghzc.