Since we placed GC22F58, (Gateway to) Humphries' Center of NM Cache, Dr. Humphries has installed a pass-through gate at that location for you to cross the fence and walk to this location. This is a 606 meter walk from the "Gateway" cache. Here, you will find a small fenced off and gated area containing a flag pole marking the crossing of the diagonal lines from the corners of the state, a concrete pad illustrating these lines, a NM Centennial time capsule, a bench on which to rest and contemplate, and this cache. We met Leroy, bighornram, and a whole bunch of other people here -- including several other cachers -- on the 8th of August 2010 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ranch, and to place this cache. Thanks go out to bighornram for his Homestead cache, which brought us to the area to meet Dr. Humphries.
Dr. Humphries determined that the diagonals crossed on his ranch back in 1970 by getting the largest map he could and drawing the lines on it. He has recently enlisted the aid of the NGS, USGS, BLM, and Dr. Plumb from ECOU to nail down the crossing point precisely. As you may discover from reading the USGS draft document contained in the cache, or perhaps already know, there are several ways to "project" geodetic data onto a planar surface (i.e., to make maps of a curved surface such as that of the Earth). Each of these methods results in a slightly different crossing point, but all are on the 7 Up-7 Down Ranch. Dr. Plumb's calculated value is 525' away from the Albers Projection map center, and the Lambert Projection map Center is 3446' away.
As Dr. Humphries says,"This (the geometric center) would be in contrast to the "NM center of mass" which would be the point at which a flat, uniformly dense, plate the shape of NM would balance on a pointed rod held underneath it. This latter point is the point to which articles identifying the "center of NM" are referring." This point is near Gran Quivira and Mountainair, at N 34°30.1’ W 106°06.7’.
The point which the flag pole marks, and near which you will find this cache, represents an averaged value -- a point half way -- between the Albers- and Lambert-projected crossings of the diagonal lines. Dr. Plumb's calculated center is just off to the side of this center point of the line between the two other projections.
The cache itself is a large ammo can placed next to the bench. At the time of placement it contained a log book, writing instruments, the draft document from the USGS in Denver explaining the different projections, a bit of swag, and last but not least, all of the remaining travel bugs and geocoins I had in my possession.
If the main ranch gate is open at the Gateway cache, Mr. Humphries says in would be okay to drive to the flag pole; i.e. drive 1/2 mile south, turn west for 100 yards between hay barn and mobile home, and through a silver gate (open 9 months out of the year), and then turn northwest (before crossing the cattle guard) for 1/2 mile to flag pole. These roads are both car and motorcycle friendly. Or, the 0.4 mile walk from the Gateway is quite pleasant in nice weather. In either case, Leroy has installed directional signs for everything; keep your eyes peeled!
Please remember that you are on private property by permission, and respect the land, its owners, and its inhabitants:
- Don't block the road when you park
- Close the gates behind you when you pass through
- Heed the "Burma Shave" signs!
- You will be crossing the heifers' pasture to get to the cache. Don't bother them -- or step in their "leavings"
References and Notes:
The Seven Up Seven Down Ranch by Leroy Humphries (PDF)
One of the visitors has made a YouTube video of his visit. Leroy says the most interesting part is at the end. I agree; it seems to be constructed temporally backwards.