Peaked Out! : Monk Peak Traditional Cache

Elevation:2267m When you get to this cache you will be Peaked Out at the highest point on the unofficially named Monk Peak in the Kootenays.

The easiest way to access this cache is to park at Bridal Lake on the Kootenay pass and head out south of the highway on foot along Monk FSR to the Ripple Ridge TH (waypoint ). Please note: Monk FSR is blocked off in several spots and can only be traversed on foot. Alternately, you could drive the long way along Maryand Creek Forest FSR to Monk Creek FSR and drive all the way to the Ripple Ridge TH. The walk along from the lake is shorter, and recommended.

Hike the well-booted Ripple Ridge trail to the top of lightning strike. On the backside of this mountain the trail is lightly booted, and winds a wee bit away from the massive boulder field and another cache. The gulley waypoint is at the base of Lightning Strike. Find a route SW and keep  west of the boulder field for an easier hike. Boulder if you like, as it is fun and you will see many more incredible rocks. You will have to cross a few boulders to head up to the ridge

Between the gulley and the main Monk Peak are many conglomerate rocks of different sizes and types. The hike up here is worth it just to see these rocks. Geologists will love this place!

The cache is hidden NW of the summit, a few metres down under a cool boulder that looks like a tree cut through the middle with rings. There are a couple of dead standing trees to one side, and a live fir on the other.The cache is wired to a stick under stones under the cool wood-looking boulder. It is a camo'd cylindrical tube with "geocache" and "Monk" written on the outside. It contains a pencil (no guarantee that is will be sharp), a water-resistant logsheet and a purple piece of paper for the FTF prize. Enjoy the trip as the rocks and views are worth seeing.

I do not recommend heading up here on a rainy or wet day.

This cache is NOT winter-friendly and will be frozen under snow. Please do not attempt as the container will only be damaged if you do manage to dig through the metres of snow up here!