Red Lime Kiln Traditional Cache
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Are you ready for an adventure? This cache is in a remote area about 4.5 miles south of HWY 50. The adventure will be in just getting there. There is a road that goes right to the cache, you just have to find it. (The My Topo and the satellite maps would be very useful.) A high clearance vehicle is required, but 4-wheel drive is not necessary. AVOID THESE ROADS WHEN WET. The roads are built on shale, and get very slippery. Elevation at the cache: 8424'
The cache is located at a spectacular old lime kiln. The kiln is constructed with rocks of red volcanic rhyolite, and was used to bake calcite (calcium carbonate) rocks into lime. Lime was used as a bonding agent in cement and as a flux for smelting. It was also used in plastering interior walls and in the mortar used to chink the gaps in log cabins. A vein of banded calcite known as "travertine" was located in the hill above the kiln. There is a trench where the vein was -- it appears that the vein was completely dug out, however there are lots of dirty-white calcite rocks remaining around the kiln.
There are a number of lime kilns scattered about the Gunnison Country. There is a rough dirt road which connects the Red Lime Kiln with the Dutch Gulch Lime Kiln, about 1 mile away. Both of these kilns probably supplied lime to the mines of the nearby towns of Iris and Chance which flourished during the late 1800's. The Lucky Strike mine at Chance reportedly had a smelter.
Cache is in a clear plastic box with a blue rim.
A NOTE OF CAUTION: If you bring kids with you to this geocache, keep them under control. The kiln is deep, and the temptation to peer over the edge is huge. The entrance to Long Gulch from HWY 50 is closed in early spring until May 15th. As always -- if you venture out during hunting season, (September and October), wear a little blaze orange and be noisy.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Znexrq ol na negvsnpg.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures