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HELP 041 Traditional Cache

Hidden : 9/3/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

HELP 031 - 060 are along the biking/hiking trail, which does not allow ATV's. You can ATV to nearby access points at the end, middle, and beginning of this section of the powertrail and then access the caches on bike or foot.

Welcome to the Hiking Eklutna Lake Powertrail - HELP, an Alaska power trail along the Eklutna Lakeside Trail in Chugach State Park. The caches in this power trail are placed under Chugach State Park License 12-004. The trail is accessible by walking, biking, horseback and in winter, dog mushing, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing. ATVs are allowed from Sunday through Wednesday from April 1 to November 30.

** Please be bear aware and bring bear spray.**

Each cache container must be opened and the log signed and replaced in the same cache container. Please put the cache back where you found it. Some power trails permit caches or logs to be moved. HELP does not.

Unless otherwise noted, all caches are winter friendly. They are all micros; please bring your own pen for signing.

“This scenic Eklutna Lakeside trail is an old road bed that follows the north edge of the lake for eight miles and then extends into the backcountry. In the summer the trail is bordered by colorful wildflowers and in the fall currants, cranberries and raspberries provide a special treat.

“Each mile is marked for easy reference. Typical travel times for the 13-mile trail. One-way are: hiking - six hours; bicycle - two to three hours; horseback - four to five hours; and ATV - 50 minutes. The trail is usually open to ATVs Sunday through Wednesday, but may be closed at times due to trail conditions.”

Eklutna Lake: “The Eklutna Glacier carved this valley as it retreated, leaving horizontal scarring on rock formations as evidence of its passage. Glacial and freshwater streams flowing into the valley created the 7-mile-long lake. Eklutna Lake feeds a power plant and provides drinking water for the Anchorage area.”

Wildlife along Eklutna Lake: “Moose, muskrats and waterfowl may be spotted near the lakeshore. Brown and black bears, wolves, and mountain goats, inhabit the wilderness regions of the park and Dall sheep are often seen on the steep hillsides. A rock face at mile 1 of the Lakeside Trail is a spring lambing area and a particularly good place to see sheep year-round.

Smaller mammals living in the area include fox, lynx, porcupine, hare, ground squirrel, ermine, marmot, vole, and pika. Golden eagles, hawks, ptarmigan, grouse and several varieties of songbirds nest in the area.
Special precautions must be taken to avoid problems with bears. Do not leave food or garbage in the open or in your tent. Cook and eat at least 100 feet down-wind from your campsite. To avoid a surprise encounter with a bear, make noise when you travel - tie a bell to your pack, whistle, talk, or sing. Bears, like other animals, may feel threatened if you get too close, and when threatened their reactions are unpredictable.”

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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gnxr n frng nybat genvyfvqr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)