Oh, I kept the first for another day! Traditional Cache

The Nash and Frost poem Geocaches follow a wilderness route that terminates at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Visitor Center at the south end and Stonewall Mine Historic Site at the north end. One-way distance is about seven miles. This outing is suited for able and experienced hikers, and for accomplished mountain-bikers that can handle a rock-strewn road surface that will be found now and then but especially along Soapstone Grade.

Parking lots will be found at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Visitor Center and at Stonewall Mine Historic Site. There is an $8.00 day-parking fee at both locations. For a one-way, two-vehicle hiking strategy that means that parking will cost $16.00. Note that access to the Los Vaqueros Horse Camp parking area is available only by reservation for horseback riding groups; otherwise, the access-road gate is closed.

This hike offers one of the least-used remote trails of the State Park. From south to north it follows Upper Green Valley Fire Road, Upper Green Valley Trail, Soapstone Grade Fire Road, and finally a short section of the access road connects Los Vaqueros Horse Camp and Stonewall Mine Historic Site to State Highway 79.

Scenery includes spacious grassland, deep-canyon overlooks, recovering oak groves damaged by the Cedar Fire of 2003, and rugged slopes covered with thick chaparral. With luck one will spot deer, wild turkeys, birds, and fresh tracks made by Mountain Lions.

For most park visitors this route is indeed the road not taken so be adventurous and enjoy this grand day out.