Ricker 3400 Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is a cache geared towards those who want an extreme mountain hiking experience. The location is at the summit of Ricker Mountain, at 3400 feet. This is definitely not a park and grab. It is inaccessible by vehicles and these are not permitted anyway. You walk!
Note the terrain rating. This should not be attempted by anyone who is not an experienced mountain hiker. The trail is quite steep in places, is strewn with all sorts of boulders and trees and is muddy and slippery. In the summer, lightning is always a big concern. The black flies have been known to carry off small children. And if you are crazy enough to attempt a winter assault, temperatures can easily be 20 degrees colder and storms can pop up at any time without warning. If your abilities are in question, don’t try it!
If you are not familiar with the area, you will need to do some homework to plan your route. The easiest way to approach the cache is from the Bolton Ski Area. There is a work road which starts by the condos in back of the village. This “road” follows the Wilderness Lift for a while and then goes to the right and becomes the Sherman’s Pass run. If you see light poles along the way, you are on the right track. Eventually you will end up at the top of the Vista Lift (by the windmill). Look for a side trail which is not a ski trail. The summit is another ¾ mile up this trail, for a total of 2.2 miles. As a shorter option, you could hike all the way to the top of Wilderness Lift. Then there is a very, very steep narrow trail to the top. This is a total 1 mile hike, but it is very steep. Total elevation change is 1300 feet.
The hide is unremarkable. This is all about the trip! You are looking for a small container. I forgot to put a pencil in there, so bring your own.
Don’t climb on, go near or otherwise mess with the telecommunications equipment up there. There is nothing of interest for a cacher.
Be advised that this is the wilderness and you may have a chance meeting with large four legged creatures. I often see moose tracks. There is a possibility you might run into Lions and Tigers (actually Catamounts) and Bears. Proceed with caution as you just may be on the dinner menu.
Good Luck on your journey. Be safe. Use your log entry to tell your story.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)