49 A Walk in the Garden-Sugarloaf (West Wicklow) Traditional Geocache
49 A Walk in the Garden-Sugarloaf (West Wicklow)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Now the bright morning Star, Day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The Flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth, and warm desire,
Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.
(John Milton)
Sugarloaf (or sometimes Black Mountain) is a mountain in west
County Wicklow, Ireland bordering the northern edge of the Glen of
Imaal. It should not be confused with the better known Great Sugar
Loaf and Little Sugar Loaf in the east of the county, nor with the
Sugarloaf in County Cork.
This is one of five local mountain caches in the lovely West
Wicklow area. The areas approaching these local caches and the
sleepy village of Donard itself boast a number of Ogham Stones,
Bullaun Stones, Mottes, Moated Sites, Holy Wells and Megalithic
Tombs so keep an eye on the OS maps for references to these while
in the area.
There is plenty of car parking at N53 00.186 W006 34.650 where you
can start the hike indicated on the first illustration above. For
further information there is an adventure hostel a short distance
on up the road where the kind people loaned me a detailed local map
of a four hour hike mirrored by my illustration above. Conveniently
this hike takes in the three summits close to which I had already
placed new caches. They were quick to let me know that this route
is by far the best one to access the mountains from this end. Be
aware that there are others but they are either very convoluted or
they require local permissions to gain access. This 12K one is
about a four hour hike with total ascent of about 600m.
Having passed through the barrier follow the forest track to a T
junction at N53 00.569 W006 34.222. Turn right here and follow the
track to N53 00.351 W006 34.126 where the track should head left
and then toward a gate. If you wish you can pass through the gate
and keeping left thereafter head upwards toward the summit of
Sugarloaf Mountain. I preferred to turn left just before the gate
at N53 00.294 W006 34.070 where a mountain path starts more
directly upward to the summit. The path is good but be aware that
it is a reasonably stiff ascent though only marginally tougher than
the forest route. It follows the fence of the forestry to N53
00.347 W006 33.841 where it turns right and then left to the
summit. There are two stiles situated on the fence as you rise, one
about half way up and the other at the top corner of the forestry.
These would be useful for anyone who decided to take the route
through the gate earlier.
After the end of the fence it is only a short distance to the
summit of Sugarloaf. For those intending to carry on to Lobawn and
Pinnacle please take note of the next important piece of
information. In clear conditions you will see the relatively simple
ridge walk to each of the other mountains. If the clouds roll in
and you can't see clearly then I strongly advise that you set your
GPS for direction point N53 00.685 W006 32.805 as the route
directly to Lobawn would add much unnecesary hardship to your
hike.
After picking up all three caches you could retrace your steps or
for those who prefer a circuit hike, from Pinnacle keep the
forestry on your right and head down to N53 01.292 W006 34.259
where you enter the forestry through a gateway and follow a rough
forest track down to a proper forest track where you should turn
left. Then Keep straight on avoiding dropping down to your right as
the track changes to rougher paths till you exit the forest over a
fence at N53 01.115 W006 33.465. You will drop down into a steep
gully. Cross the stream and climb again to enter the forest at N53
01.068 W006 33.533. You will shortly reach a good forest track
heading downwards which you should follow all the way back to the T
junction mentioned above. Don't be tempted to deviate onto other
tracks that seem to be going down more directly, they don't! This
forest track veers left and head upwards for a time but that is the
correct way back passing over or through two gates till you reach
the T junction with the central stone. Here you turn right for the
exit to the car park.
The second map indicated above shows a means of finding all 5 local
caches in one hike. This would be a much longer hike of at least 6
hours.
Do not start the trek without
all the proper mountain rain gear, waterproof boots and the
guidance material, compass, map, GPSr with mapping etc.
Please note that all parts of this cache are hiked at your own
risk. The cache owner takes no responsibility of any sort for any
reason including accidents or
mishaps.
Please be aware that cars parked
in areas close to walking trails are vulnerable and they can be
vandalised or stolen. Unfortunately this is an ongoing problem
which is extremely difficult to solve, so there is a risk involved.
I have heard recently that many hiker groups are parking at the
nearest population centres and getting taxis to and from the start
points at very little expense.
Please observe the country code to the best of your ability. Local
landowners often generously allow access to upland areas across or
through parts of their private property. Please, please be
conscious of this and return the courtesy by keeping all gates
closed, immediately and not on your way back!. Please use the gates
where appropriate but if you have to climb over them then use the
hinged side ONLY.
Please do not cause any damage of any sort to fences or barriers
along the way.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va ghes ubyybj nccebk 10 zrgerf sebz gur pnvea.