Wire Wizard
This is the final cache of a series of 32 featuring three different ascents/descents of Mt. Wire. Collect one clue from each of the three routes in order to solve this puzzle cache. The 5/5 rating reflects the fact that lots of hiking and searching are required to locate the final!
The puzzle is 99.5% physical (hiking) and .5% mental (assembling coordinates).
Following are descriptions of each of the three trails leading to or from the summit:
Wire West
This is by far the most popular, and easiest, approach to the top of Mt. Wire. It starts in Research Park and ascends George's Hollow near Red Butte. Expect lots of hikers on weekend days. The caches along this route are:
Wire West 1 (At the parking area and trailhead)
Be gone long one
The "UTE" Dangler
Wire West 2
Wire West 3
Wire West 4
Wire West 5
Wire West 6
Wire West 7
Wire West 8
Wire West 9 / Lonely Mountain View
Wire West 10
Wire West 11
Wire West 12
Mt. Wire Summit
Wire South (Ascent) and Wire Southwest (Descent)
There are many ways to complete these three trails, but the South and Southwest options make for a great (and ambitious) loop hike. The parking and trailhead are on Sunnyside Avenue at this cache: Mt Wire South Trailhead. The caches along this loop are:
Mt Wire South Trailhead (At the parking area and trailhead)
Wire South 1
Wire South 2
Wire South 3
Wire South 4
Wire South 5
Wire South 6
Wire South 7
Wire South 8
Wire South 9
Wire South 10
Wire South 11
Mt. Wire Summit
(Head back down and take the right fork to the Southwest ridge)
The World Has Moved On
Wire Southwest 1
Wire Southwest 2
Wire Southwest 3
Wire Southwest 4
Wire Southwest 5
Wire Southwest 6
Wire Southwest 7
Wire Southwest 8
Wire Wizard (this cache)
Wire Wizard (Puzzle Final)
Now that you've covered the three major approaches to Mt. Wire, you are a Wire Wizard! Time for the final puzzle cache:
On each of the three trails, ONE of the caches has been randomly selected to contain a clue. The clues are in the form of partial coordinates for the final and are displayed prominently on the cache logs. Put the three parts together and you've got the location of Wire Wizard. Note: The clues are in the Wire Wizard series of caches, and NOT in any of the non-series caches along the routes.
Wire Wizard can be easily grabbed on your hike back to the Sunnyside parking area.
Expect often steep hiking and sunny conditions. This is rattlesnake territory, so please keep an eye out. The cache locations were chosen to somewhat minimize exposure to likely snake locations, but always look and listen before poking around much! Most of the caches are at ground level and probably not accessible in snowy conditions.
The images were taken on various Mt. Wire hikes over the last 45 years. Click any image for a larger display.
I considered including Wire Northeast as well, along one of the routes from Emigration Canyon, but decided those are just too hard! But, there is a great final descent I can recommend which is not too difficult:
Mount Wireless
Mount Wireless is a terrific field puzzle and would make a great wrap-up to your Mt. Wire hiking spree!
These caches replace several older ones. The World Moves On! They were:
Mt. Smeagol Two
The Ascent of Beacon Tower
Digital Dilemma 1
Big Beacon Series
Please let me know if you encounter any difficulties with the caches or puzzle. Enjoy fantastic hiking on this beautiful mountain and be safe!