This is the 23rd geocache planted by Team Family Affair. This
cache is located in one of the most spectacular hiking areas in
the Black Hills of South Dakota. The view from the ridge, just 15
feet above the cache at 6777 feet is something you will likely
remember for a long time. The Cathedral Spires are Granite rock
formations, which were formed millions of years ago when molten
rock under pressure was uplifted from deep within the earth. This
uplifting is what formed what is now the center of the Black
Hills. Over time the softer rock and material eroded away leaving
the giant spires of granite we see today. This potentially could
be one of our more difficult caches to find so we recommend that
you bring the clues and follow the hints below.
The Cache is nestled in the middle of the Cathedral Spires.
Looking around, you can see Haney Peak just a mile to the North
and is the highest point (7242 feet) in South Dakota. If you look
to the Northeast you may be able to see the back of Mount
Rushmore at about 4 ½ miles away. Looking to the Southwest at
about 1.5 miles away is the Needles and Needles eye.
The highly recommended starting point for this cache is at the
parking lot at N 43° 50.599' W 103° 33.137' which is along the
road between Sylvan lake and Needles Eye. The trail is a fairly
easy 2-mile hike so bring your canteen and friends for a great
time! We hope you enjoy this cache as much as we did hiding it!
The Cache is a painted military flare can with geocaching.com
stenciled on it. The cache contains:
- A Post-it notebook
- Swiss Army Knife
- A Flashlight with batteries
- Mini game board
- Souvenir Coffee Mug
- Beanie Baby Teddy Bear
- A Bag of Army Men
- A US Flag Key chain
- And other various items
- Logbook - please be sure to register your visit and tell
us how you liked it!
Here are your clues to finding the cache: (our last
cache at this site was stolen so please make sure you leave it well hidden after you find it)
- As you have probably learned when you were growing up- if
you follow your parents instructions almost any
experience will be easier-
- Follow the lone Pine trees that stand up towards the sky,
as they are sentinels to the hidden treasure.
- Heaven and treasures are often thought of as great things
to seek in life.
- The original cache was located on top of the ridge with
the incredible view at elevation 6771 (N43 50.885 W103 32.179). The new cache is just a few feet behind you at the grassy base (elevation 6755).
- Thorny bushes and a big rocks act as nearby guards to the
naturally growing coverage, providing a doorway to the cache.
Please make sure you re-hide this cache
well, as there is a lot of hiking traffic in this area.
We hope you enjoy this cache as much as we did creating it!
-Team Family Affair (Scott, Mary and Matt)