CO Midland "telegraph path" cache Virtual Cache
CO Midland "telegraph path" cache
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Difficulty:
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This cache is along an abandoned telegraph utility line that travels through a specific object at the coordinates posted above, relatively halfway between the the North West and South Esat entrances of Hagerman Tunnel. It served the Colorado Midland Rail company around the turn of the century. Ghost Towns and spectacular scenery suround you.
This is what makes Geocaching so much fun. On the journey to this cache there are great historic landmarks that take you back to a different time. Abandoned ghost towns and tales of hard living are the bonus experiences you can find on this journey. The now abandoned Colorado Midland Railway brought Silver and Gold from Aspen around 1888 to Colorado Springs. Hagerman Tunnel is the highest point on this historic rout. Depending on your approach this can be either difficult or relatively easy. The Cache rests on the western side of the Continental Divide. Like the old days, you will need some courage, savvy, and fortitude to find this cache.
DIFFICULT: From the South East (Leadville side)the trail head on the Leadville side the hike is either 2 or 4 miles depending on whether you take the shortcuts or travel the old rail bed. From the tunnels entrance (GC6F70 Hagerman "High Line" GEOCACHE) you are .33 miles from the cache. This is the hard part: you will need to climb up and over the Continental Divide to the cache located on the other side of the Pass. Its a scramble / bushwhack up the slope to the Continental Divide but once over it is easy to find. A clever hiker by deductive reasoning should be able to find the cache via clue. This approach takes a little courage but it is not that hard. If you are not seasoned to the altitude or hiking then it is hard, very hard from this side.
EASIER: From Basalt you drive up the old rail bed directly to the Hagerman Tunnel North West Entrance. Literally from Basalt as in the Day of The Colorado Midland Rail, this is the rout. Albeit it goes from paved road to moderate 4wd but you will travel the same path as the old rail to the entrance of the abandoned tunnel. Do your homework to map this route out. Navigation is up to you and part of the challenge. Once at the West entrance the hike is short. There is an great view and it is but a short walk to the Continental Divide for more spectacular vistas. Over and Down the steep slope to the other side is the other entrance where you can log (GC6F70 Hagerman "High Line" GEOCACHE)my original reason for the trip. Be advised that logging both is a challenge.
TO VERIFY: Please answer and e-mail me what abandoned man made object rests closest to the coordinates posted above?
CAUTION: Do not enter the tunnels under any circumstances
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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