Otter Mountain Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

llanok: I'm archiving this cache because I suspect it was wrecked by a bear. The rock pile it was in has been scattered, I saw 2 bears in the area (not very big, likely cubs), and I saw several piles of bear scat on the way to this cache.

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Hidden : 7/17/2016
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Otter mountain is on of the northern edge of this part of the Lewis & Clark National Forest. Nice views from the east slope, and a good hike if you are doing the150 mile hike challenge for Montana . This is a 7.5 mile round trip hike with an elevation gain of 1800 ft. No FTF prize, just a cache with a log and a couple plastic trinkets.



Feel like using multi billion dollar satellites to find Tupperware in the woods? That's what this cache is about--just a plastic container in a pile of rocks on top of one of the (relatively) lower mountains in this area.

I have heard and read complaints from people doing the 150 mile hike challenge for Montana that it isn't easy finding hikes that meet the elevation requirements. I decided to help my fellow geocachers, and hide a cache that they can use to meet the challenge. There is no problem meeting the elevation requirement with this one.

It is an easy day trip hike (well, except for the part where you get an 1800 foot elevation gain) along the edge of the Lewis & Clark National Forest. My son and I made the round trip in a vigorous 4 hours. YMMV though, as it would have taken me a lot longer if I wasn't straining to keep up with him, and he would have done it quicker if he didn't have to slow down to keep from completely losing his fat old dad.

Directions:
Make your best way to Monarch, Mt. As you head south from Monarch on Hwy 89, turn east on the Hughesville road. Drive east towards Hughesvill approximately 3.2 miles until you come to a forest service outhouse and a camping area on the north side of the road--it is designated 120K on the forest travel map, but the sign keeps getting shot-up so it may or may not be there.

The outhouse parking lot is a great place to park and start the hike. Walk along the dirt road north east-ish (or drive if you have good ground clearance, and want to shave a couple tenths off the distance) until you hit a barb wire fence with a No Trespassing sign (that sign sometimes gets vandalized too...just don't go through the fence). Follow the fence perimeter toward the north--transitioning to foot at the edge of the meadow when you reach the no motorized vehicle sign (again, sometimes shot up. Just don't drive into the trees and rocks). Follow the trail outside the fence line to the east, and then head north up the next gulch--called McGee Coulee on the map.

Follow the abandoned road along McGee Coulee for 1.5 miles until the coulee forks. Take the east (right hand) fork--that is still McGee Coulee, although the road does not continue up it and you'll be using a cow path. Incidentally, shortly before the fork, your way will be blocked by a fence and gate, with fluorescent orange on the posts--normally meaning no trespassing. HOWEVER, in this case it is a dirty LIE. You are still on National Forest land; the actual property boundary is about quarter of a mile further north. The rancher who runs cattle to the north and south of the coulee apparently decided (understandably) that it would be a whole lot easier to put a fence at the natural choke point in the coulee instead of on the actual property line. You can safely hop the fence and continue the 100 yards or so up the coulee to where it forks. Go another 3/4 of a mile north east up the coulee to get clear of the private property, then pick your favourite route to the top.

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