Hanging Valley Swimming Pool! is a small traditional cache hidden in Hanging Valley in the Chugach State Park accessed from the South Fork Eagle River Trailhead.
I had previously been to the location years ago and after recently hiking to the hex hut at Eagle/Symphony Lakes with bernie321 and Didi, we decided to make our way up to the lake in Hanging Valley a week later. While prepping for the hike I noticed that the cache that was in Hanging Valley had been archived and thought there needed to be a new cache placed!
bernie321, her husband, Didi and I met up at the South Fork Eagle River Trailhead (see waypoints). I had already had my first wildlife encounter coming up Highland Road! A black bear sow suddenly appeared in the middle of the road in front of me. Having stopped and watching her cross, a cub followed shortly after. And then another. And another! The last being much smaller and almost grey in color. A sow and 3 cubs to start off the day!!!
We started up the trail and just before descending to the river crossing about halfway to the lakes Didi made us aware of a couple of moose. Turned out to be two small bulls and cow! The one bull having posed for a quick pic of his unusual looking antlers (see pic) while the other two disappeared.
As we topped the initial incline into the valley that leads to hanging valley we stopped for a bit of water and were looking about and saw a large brown bear high up on the slopes on the north side of the valley! At a very safe distance we watched it eating berries or grasses.
We continued up the valley taking in the amazing views as we went. Stopping along the way to take pics of the surrounding landscapes and wild flowers while listening to and watching the local Arctic Ground Squirrel population! Reached the creek that exits the 'swimming pool'; and began the short hike up to Hanging Valley. After the short inclined hike to the outlet of the 'swimming pool', we paused and took in the surroundings. Some of us wondering where a good cache placement would be, others looking about for the best place to dive into the lake and one other was looking about for something to chase!!!
After a snack we all kinda went out own way exploring the shoreline. I found what I thought would make a decent hide but was then distracted by some photo opportunities. Spotted a family or possible two of GoldenEye and a pair of Wandering Tattler in the lake! Once I was focused on caching again I started to look about for another possible location and then heard the familiar whistle of a Hoary Marmot! More photo opportunities so off I went in search of and eventually finding a juvenile Marmot and a couple of Rock Ptarmigan! While i was busy with this my hiking partners decided to give the 'swimming pool' some use!
Eventually, it was time to think about starting the hike out so returned to the hide location I found earlier and after conferring with bernie321 decided to hide the cache there. The cache should not be difficult to find as there aren't many places to look for a cache at GZ. If you have difficulty, take a look at the included spoiler photos. (My evil tendencies must be softening...but nothing a few minutes out and about with my evil twin wont cure!) Once the cache was place we made our way back to the trailhead!
I would have visited the archived cache that was hidden here in the valley ie 'GC13P2F Hanging Lake Cache' but I didnt have the coordinates in my GPS. Turns out I had found it with a previous GPS. Why would I look for an archived cache that I had previously found?!? Just cause and never a bad idea to make sure a remote archived cache container was properly removed!
This is definitely one of my favorite places to visit in the Chugach! While the hike is a longer one it doesnt involve a lot of incline. And the surrounding beauty at GZ is well worth the effort. If you are looking for a longer day hike or a place to do a bit of tent camping, I would give this location some consideration. If i had to choose between here and Symphony/Eagle lakes I would come here. I think it's prettier and not near as many people visit here!