1st Notch Traditional Cache
Marko Ramius: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.
Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.
Thank you for your understanding.
Marko Ramius
Volunteer Cache Reviewer
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(regular)
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After purchasing a Summer Pass to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, I noticed there were not many caches up here. I was shocked as its beautiful and thought the area needed some geocache love. I emailed an official to make sure they were allowed and was happy to find out they were within the usual State Park regulations.
This is my first geocache of hopefully many that I plan to place in San Jacinto State Park. I want you to come enjoy, the fresh air, scenic views and experience this wonderful park land. If you take the Tram up to the Mountain Station, wind your way down to the hiking trails and turn left - onto the Desert View trail. It will bring you to a series of 'Notches' along the trail where there are breath taking panoramic views of the desert below and more of the mountain range. You should be able to see San Jacinto Peak - marked by great upthrusts of weathered granite - rising almost 11,000 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak in the San Jacinto Range. Several other peaks within the park are over 10,000 feet, and much of the rest of the park, standing at more than 6,000 feet in elevation, is cool and comfortable in the summer. I love the smell of the park too - and absolutely love the Jeffrey Pines as I walk among them.
The easiest way to reach the area is by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up to the top and then hiking down to the trails below the Mountain station. You could, if you're a little crazy, hike 10+ strenuous miles over other trails from Idyllwild - I would not recommend this unless you're a seasoned hiker. The Tram is usually $25 for adults...half that for children. However, they do have AAA discounts and also sell season passes that are very cost effective if you are local and like to travel there often. First tram up is at 8AM, last one down is 945PM - don't miss this or you'll be spending a night on the mountain top!
Your GPSr should bring you to this cache at the Notch 1 stop along the Desert View trail. Please re-hide the cache as good or better than it was found. The spot where its hid is so perfect - tailor made for a cache!
There is no phone signal really up there - sometimes you'll get lucky with a little bit of one - but make sure to store the cache's coords before you come up if you're using a smartphone to find it.
Please be safe along the hike, bring water too, its important! Oh also, some critters are friendly and may come right up to you during your visit, but please don't feed them. I'm not sure what the area will look like during the Winter. The cache should still accessible, but bring snow type gear during the cold months.
I have a unactivated FTF geo coin for the lucky FTFer! Gratz to El Jefecito on being the FTF!!! :D
I'm also launching a space shuttle tag in honor of my late grandfather. <3
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
N abgpu va n abgpu ivrj? Ubj cresrpg vf gung? Gurer'f n ybg bs obhyqref nebhaq nera'g gurer?
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