SCAS - Upper Steve Canyon Traditional Cache

This small lock and lock container is located in Upper Steve Canyon. Reaching this cache will require some scrambling, routefinding and perhaps some wading. It isn't easy to access, but you will be rewarded with waterfalls, tall cliffs, water-sculpted channels and solitude. No climbing equipment is necessary under ideal conditions, although a helmet wouldn't be a bad idea in case of a fall on the sometimes slippery terrain.

To access Upper Steve Canyon, first make your way up the creekbed of Lower Steve Canyon. The first step is to reach the waterfall at the end of the trail. This is the turn-around point for most hikers. To continue further into Upper Steve Canyon, look right and spot a rope attached to a tree along broken ledges. Scramble up and left to the top of the bank, using the rope if you wish. Carefully descend back down to the creekbed (now above the waterfall) to reach the beginning of Upper Steve Canyon (instead of scrambling up the broken ledges, it may be possible to drop down to Upper Steve Canyon from the upper ridge - though I'm unsure of the terrain). The cache lies further up canyon. Pick and choose a route upwards, sometimes dipping left or right into the trees to avoid difficulties. The terrain may be wet and slippery so use caution.

Once at GZ, you can invest a couple more minutes to reach a nice viewpoint. Go behind a large boulder and carefully work up to a clearing. You can see all the way down to Highway 1! The image below shows the route.

This cache is part of a series of geocaches called the Steve Canyon Adventure Series (SCAS). Steve Canyon is the smaller, quieter cousin of Grotto Canyon, lying only a kilometer to the east. Just like Grotto Canyon, there are tons of things to do in Steve Canyon to spend anywhere from an hour to several days. This series highlights the coolest features of the canyon and surrounding area that I've explored so far!

Just like Grotto Canyon, Steve Canyon is a family-friendly hike. For the keen adventurer, there's so much more. One can scramble into the upper canyon (GC6VYB2), boulder-climb on the rocks and canyon walls, perform safe and fun rappels and other canyoneering activities in the canyon itself (GC6WBK4) as well as some nearby bluffs (GC6VYBA); there are dozens of sport rock climbing routes (one has a geocache - GC68HDY), and there's even an ice climb that occasionally forms! There truly is something for every adventurer!

Note that GPS reception in this area is quite poor due to being in the canyon. Once you reach GZ, you may find your coordinates bouncing all over - hence the increased difficulty rating. Read the hint and bring the spoiler photos to help your search! Good luck and have fun!