GC532N9 Ascension Of The Monkey King (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by imanxman (I'm An X-Man)

This cache has been archived.

imanxman: Sadly, I have decided to archive this cache.

Visiting the site this wknd, the development at the top, in what has been a strange, wild, and sometimes dangerous untamed and untrailed hiking area (including snakes, ticks, swarming bees, and even for a time a someone living it rough there), has now finally tamed this wild spot.

Now the pinnacle, the northeastern part of the overlook is occupied by a development clubhouse, repleat with outdoor bocci court and a firepit, possibly unwisely placed not 10’ from a hillside of chaparral...

...and also less than 30’ and at almost the same level of the gz, with no cover. Climbing the drainage ditches to end up standing next to these folks in their backyards...no, this is not what this cache was meant for.

They ARE however maintaining the public trail at the top of the hillon the north side of the development, even with signs acknowledging that it is a public trail, thank you. And this even leads directly to the top of the Indian Peak Trail...however that is now deeply overgrown, and a true slog to come up.

I considered placing a cache there, at the top of the trail, as you can still reach this point for the wonderful view (The Legacy Of The Monkey King?) and make this the 4th (5th?) Monkey King cache at this location...but as the community is gated...I will likely leave that for someone else.

Thank you to everyone who visited both of my Monkey King caches here. While the view is still beautiful, I will miss the untamed place.

GC532N9 ▼

A cache by imanxman (I'm An X-Man) Message this owner

Hidden : 5/3/2014

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Short but tricky climb up to the Monkey King!

Ever have one of those ideas to stupidly, stubbornly re-cache a location instead of simply archiving and letting it go? This is one such cache. The Monkey King compels me.

Turns out where the first cache was ended up being JUST INSIDE the construction zone at the top. That location is now 10-15' above the ground, or should I say, above a PIT.

So...I had brought a replacement, but given that now the approach is strenuously and decidedly different, I created a new cache out of it rather than 'monkey' with the D/T ratings of the other one!

The new D/T ratings are based on the rating macro, and the key things you should know are there is no 'trail', per se, but only a cement drainage ditch which must be climbed to reach the cache...and in a couple places it's steep enough you may want to use your hands. That also means it's a bit treacherous coming down, too, you might end up on your butt. The bottom section where you leave the sidewalk is loose gravel till you get up to the drainage ditch. It's overgrown in places with sharp things. And this is a rattlesnake area. It's also a good elevation gain in a short time due to the angle.

So...pants & hiking boots already (and maybe sleeves?), for what is a short easy ascent if you are prepared, and I'm sure SOMEONE sooner or later will take a spill here and tell me I'm cruel for sending you up here. It is not for the feint of calf nor for toddlers.

But there's really almost no other way, unless you want to take a long bushwhack across the face of an overgrown hillside without a trail, as the ones on the sat photos appear to be gone from lack of use. :(

(Parking note: the lot east of the gz is a nursery, your less conspicuous parking during the weekdays would be the empty lot across the street to the north.)

Due to all the trouble, the FTF prize is a $5 bill!
(CONGRATS TO THE NAKOTACOPATROL ON THE FTF! - X)

Prepare yourself...can you make the Ascension of The Monkey King?

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

erthyne fvmr pbagnvare va onfr bs gnyy ohfu

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)