Cache is NOT on the Summit Mystery Cache
Cache is NOT on the Summit
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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THE CACHE IS NOT ON OR NEAR THE SUMMIT
The container has been replaced and the final location has been moved, the puzzle has been updated
Ralston Peak is a 9239 foot tall mountain inside the Desolation Wilderness. It is an approximately 8 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of about 3000 feet. At least the route I took. I discovered some other routes while out there but this hide is based on what I did on the way out, which is pretty close to the posted information about the hike. On the way back you too can explore.
There is good news and bad new concerning the Ralston Peak Hike.
Good: Easy access, good trail (if you like them), steep but very manageable, and a payoff that is spectacular.
Bad: Easy access, good trail (if you like them), steep but very manageable and a payoff that is spectacular. Even on a weekday I ran into (no I didn’t hurt them) three other hikers on the peak and on the way down ran into (enough already) another three. Beautiful, spectacular, magnificent… got it. My recommendation go on a weekday.
If this cache format looks familiar to you it is similar to Emigrant Beauty. Thank you Mr. Clever Scoobert and yes plagiarizing but with credit given. Didn’t someone once say “Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery”
The puzzle for this will be pretty straight forward, get to a waypoint, answer the question based on your location. There will be no intentional trick questions. Get all nine answers correct and you will be rewarded with a find. More important you will find yourself on top of Ralston Peak (9235ft)
T rating is based on the distance traveled, not on actual trail conditions.
To access a pdf for the below listed info along with the photo, click here.
N38 AB.CDE W120 0F.GHI
Question A. At this location what do you see?
1. Trailhead? 2
2. Fork in the Trail? 6
3. Wilderness Boundary? 4 (It may have burned so this is the answer)
4. (2 & 3)? 8
Question B. On this section of trail, the trail that you are walking on is mainly composed of what?
1. Crushed granite, nature’s style? 7
2. Brown dirt? 9
3. DG (decomposed granite)? 5
4. Granite slabs? 1
Question C. A multimedia question. Face west (bearing 270true) what do you see. Look at the picture labeled Multiple Views. (you may want to print it out and bring with you)
Question D. Time for a rest what is obvious in this area?
1. A Big downed tree? 1
2. Greyhound bus sized piece of granite? 4
3. Old mining equipment? 7
4. None of the above? 9
Question E. You can see Horsetail Falls from here?
1. True? 8
2. False? 3
Question F. Heading up the trail (or down). Stop here and look around. What is the most prominent feature you see.
1. Nothing and I am not stopping here and you can't make me. 0
2. The biggest Digger Pine Tree you have ever see. 3
3. Pyramid Peak 6
4. Horsetail Falls 5
5. None of the above 7
Question G. You need to do something here.
1. Head east up the ridge? 5
2. Travel another 83 yard north before heading up the ridge? 9
3. Take out your GPSr and verify your position? 6
4. Turn around because you didn’t bring enough beer? 0
Question H. Time to get your final bearing for the summit. You get your final bearing while in the shade of a?
1. Red Fir tree? 0
2. No tree this is a trick question ? 7
3. White Fir tree? 8
4. Pine tree, not sure of the type? 1
Question I. How many lakes can you count from here?
1. 5-10? 3
2. 10-15? 3
3. 15-20? 3
4. You are kidding right, I have had too much beer to count them? 3
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n ohearq ybt, gnxr n ybbx ng gur cubgbf... ovt byq uvag gurer.
Gehr gung jvgu svany ahzore arrqrq orvat tvira gb lbh, lbh qba'g arrq gb ernpu gur fhzzvg ohg jbhyqa'g gung or purngvat?