This is a puzzle cache that is NOT located at the listed coordinates. Do not go there. Ground Zero for these coordinates takes you to the middle of Lindenmeier Lake in northern Fort Collins. Even scuba gear at that site will not get you on your way to the final. Instead, read details about this cache here, have fun in discovering the locations of the ponies required to map the final cache location, and then go for it! It will provide good entertainment, and you’ll see some unusual, unexpected art work as you progress...
Several years ago a number of large fiberglass ponies, all in an identical posture, were acquired by the City of Fort Collins. Several artists in our local community were given opportunities to paint these ponies, each using a unique artistic theme. The results are interesting examples of art having western flavor. Most of the Painted Ponies are available for public viewing. Cachers who live in the area have undoubtedly walked right past some of them! They are large and conspicuous. Have you noticed them?
Look at the images included on this cache page. Six of the Painted Ponies are depicted. For purposes of advancing through this cache, three of the six are critical for your work. You’ll need to find these three. Each is in a very public area within the city limits of Fort Collins. The three ponies that unlock this mystery are shown in images A, C, and E.
As you find each of these three Painted Ponies, stand adjacent to its base and carefully determine and record the coordinates. Check the accuracy of your coordinates by walking a distance away from the pony and then doing a “Go To” to make certain the coordinates take you back to the correct location. After finding the three designated Ponies and verifying their coordinates, make a triangulation using the following bearings:
- From the Pony at Image A, take a bearing of 30.1° T
- From the Pony at Image C, take a bearing of 60.3° T
- From the Pony at Image E, take a bearing of 5876 mils
After mapping the three headings, go to the point where the three lines intersect. When you reach your triangulation point, you will notice a solitary, conspicuous object. Stand close to it and record its coordinates. The final cache is 1,650 inches on a heading of 800 mils from this object. Find it, sign the cache log, and congratulate yourself for having completed an interesting mission. In the process, you’ve probably learned a few new things about “what’s where” in Fort Collins!
What goes up, must come down
Spinnin’ wheel, got to go round
Talkin’ ‘bout your troubles it’s a cryin’ sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the spinnin’ wheel spin
[Update on April 9, 2015. On March 28, 2015 a drunken transient decided to literally "ride the painted pony" near Coopersmiths. This is Pony C. After imbibing "plenty of whiskey and rum" he tried to tackle the pony, toppling and destroying it. See http://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2015/04/09/horse-hooch-bad-combo-old-town-square/25532763/. I will revise the triangulation instructions for this puzzle. In the meantime, continue to use the coordinates for the destroyed pony. They are N 40.58775 W 105.07570]