GC4D7BK Grizzly Flat(tened) (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by colin&daddy

GC4D7BK ▼

A cache by colin&daddy Message this owner

Hidden : 5/29/2013

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A sad, but instructive hike in the effects of forest fire.

Update: Trail cleared/restored in summer/fall of 2013 by hard-working trail crews. Should be much improved. Many thanks!

Nearly seven years ago to the day, I set off on one of Bill Robinson's Trails of the Angeles hikes (since removed) to place How Flat IS a Grizzly. After slogging up the Dark Canyon trail to the ridgetop divide, once a pleasant, open (if little-travelled) road descended to a large flat shaded by ancient oaks and towering pine trees; now, the road is overgrown, rock-strewn and blocked with skeletons of numerous fallen burned trees, and Grizzly Flat is a deer-weed and poison-oak choked jungle with blackened hulks pointing skyward. I nearly couldn't find the water tank referenced in my first cache. Dangerous, too—in the half hour I sat eating lunch, I heard two trees come crashing down in the wind, and a large branch fell fifty feet from where I sat.
You're looking for a medium size poly jar, painted to blend in. Caution: Typical hazards include plentiful poison-oak, venomous snakes, ticks, thorns, foxtails, sunburn, etc. There is some shade enroute, but summer months are nevertheless hot and no water is available anywhere. This is no longer a smooth, easy trail, and absolutely no one will be around to offer assistance, should you require it. Please prepare adequately. A Forest Adventure Pass is required if parking in the Angeles Forest.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

ntnvafggurbnx

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)