OK all you hardy geocachers, which of you (if any) will be the next to find this cache?
The Grandview 2002 cache is hidden on the flank of one of my favorite summits in the Wasatch Range: Grandview Peak. Lying within the very northern corner of Salt Lake County, it is very close to where Davis, Morgan and Salt Lake Counties converge. Aptly named, Grandview is plainly visible from most of Salt Lake City at the top of City Creek Canyon. However, few people hike up City Creek to reach it; most start in Bountiful. This is definitely a day hike. And, to be quite honest with you, there is really no easy or quick way up. Some people ride up on snowmobiles in the winter, but this is no place to become stranded in the snow!
There are several ways to approach Grandview. Perhaps the most common route begins in North Canyon in the southeast part of Bountiful. Past the homes and at the end of the dirt road you can take the popular hiking/mountain biking trail to Rudy's Flat, then follow the ridge (known by many locals as Big Black Mountain) in a northeasterly direction to Grandview. You could also start in Mueller Park and end up at Rudy's, but that is a longer walk or ride.
Another route begins off of Skyline Drive east of Bountiful and Centerville. At the top of Skyline, you take the Sessions Mountain road south from the Morgan Valley overlook and then you hike southeast toward Grandview. This route is part of the Great Western Trail. The advantage to this trail is you gain most of the elevation on the drive up to the trailhead, but you must have a 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the trailhead (parking coords: N40-52.880; W111-45.753), otherwise it adds a mile or so to your trek. You can also begin in Salt Lake via City Creek Canyon and head north, or in Emigration Canyon hiking westerly toward Big Mountain, but the first route described is the one I've taken the most. USGS quads for this area include Fort Douglas, Bountiful Peak, Porterville and Mountain Dell. Fort Douglas is most useful if starting in North Canyon.
You can also bag a couple of benchmarks on the trip if you are so inclined, as I did. This hike offers spectacular views in every direction. It is a tough one, but well worth the effort. Bring plenty to drink on this hike, and don't forget to pack a lunch. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and good, sturdy footwear. Basic emergency gear is also recommened. If you're serious about tackling this adventure, contact me via e-mail and I can provide more detailed instructions. This will surely be a most memorable cache hunt. Now go for it!!
Cache-u-later...
--Olystats02
