Cache is in SGL 278. Please wear ORANGE.
Last year, right before leaving town for a weeklong volleyball tournament, we placed this cache (and three others nearby). After the tournament, we were going to write up the descriptions and get them published. However, we caught covid at the tournament and without knowing it, brought it home. Upon our return, it spread throughout our household. By the time we were all recovered, we'd forgotten all about these caches. Almost a year later, we remembered them and went to check on them. They were all still there. This one looked as if it had been placed yesterday with it's pristine insides.
There is NO cache at the posted coordinates, but you will find an old dilapidated tree stand there. This is a letterbox hybrid where you need to follow some simple directions. You can navigate any way you wish to posted. This SGL is full of old tram roads and animal trails which can be useful during your journey. If you look closely at a map of SGL 278 you will see that is comprised of two rectangular swaths - the larger is closer to I99 and the smaller is just to the south. They are connected by a small parcel of land also belonging to SGL 278. This cache is located near that small parcel of land. The only stamp we had last year was a rainbow, hence the cache name. The stamp is not swag and should be left in the container.
We have discovered a way (it is by no means direct) to get to the old tree stand following as many trails as possible. There is still bushwhacking involved. You can follow our route, or you can choose your own - the option is yours.
OUR ROUTE TO THE TREE STAND:
From parking, walk along the SGL road to waypoint W1 which is the end of the road. There is a small clearing that looks like it could be another parking area. (Of all the times we have ever been to this SGL, we have never seen the gate at the provided parking coords open. If it is, please read signs carefully so that you don't get locked inside.) From W1, proceed to waypoint W3. You can go directly to W3 as there is a nice trail, but it can be hard to see from W1. Or, you can continue straight from W1 on a small trail to waypoint W2, where you will then make a switchback that will take you to waypoint W3. From W3 take the trail uphill to the top, where you will come to a waypoint W4. Go left which will take you down the other side of the mountain.
At some point, you will need to leave the trail and bushwhack to the old tree stand as the trail will cross into private property at waypoint W5 - so don't go there. Besides if you do, it will take you too far down and then you'll need to hike back up and you don't want to do that. Exactly where you leave the trail is up to you, just do it before W5. The bushwhack isn't that thick, so the going is pretty easy. There is a faint trail left just inside the SGL border, but it is hard to follow.
Once at posted, you will find a dilapidated, old, wooden tree stand. See image in gallery. From the tree stand, walk at a bearing of 143°. Somewhere before you come to the SGL boundary, you will come to a tree with an elephant nose. See image in gallery.
From the tree with an elephant nose, project a waypoint 163 feet away at 96°. There you will find the cache.
Good Luck and happy hunting.
It took us three hours for the entire round trip to check on the four caches, but we knew where we were going. So be sure to bring a flashlight in case your journey takes longer than expected and you don't make it back before dark. Also be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks and bug spray.
Congratulations to r.e.s.t.seekers and ted28285 on the joint FTF!