The cache is not at the posted coordinates. Please read below to solve for the correct location.
This is part of an ongoing project started by Tom.dog to place "a cache in every quad" - the 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps made by the U.S. Geological Survey during the 20th Century. He has focused his early caches in the series on quads within Wyoming, and Denali41 and Screechybird are contributing to the series in 7.5 minute quadrangles in Colorado. These particular maps have inspired exploration of the far-and-near reaches of the mountains, canyons, and plains of the American West. It is worth noting that Tom.dog has no realistic intention of hiding a cache within the boundary of every quad map, even with assistance! With over 55,000 such maps covering the Lower 48 alone, many of which contain no publicly accessible land, it's highly unlikely that a cache can be hidden in every quad (not to mention that life is probably too short to visit the lands illustrated in each map). Fundamentally, the objective of this project is to broaden exploration of the country in areas both familiar and unknown and to inspire fellow geocachers to do the same.
A fairly simple puzzle is provided for each cache in this project. Aside from geocaching, survey markers have been an interest of Tom.dog, Denali41, and Screechybird over the years. The puzzles are a derivative of this interest and aren't intended to be difficult, assuming that the solver has an awareness of publicly available survey mark records. We will only be referencing survey marks with adjusted coordinates - assume that the coordinates provided in the public records are spot-on due to their adjusted nature. Please also note that we are using the NAD83 position given for these survey marks to develop the puzzles, thereby making the technically false (but not egregiously incorrect) assumption that NAD83 is identical to the WGS84 datum that we use for Geocaching. There is no need to adjust anything because of our use of NAD83, nor is it necessary to physically visit any survey mark to solve the puzzle.
Bijou
Two forks of Bijou Creek are significant features of the area. The middle fork runs through the southeastern portion of this quad, and the west fork runs parallel to its western boundary in the adjacent Kiowa NE quad. These forks flow together after crossing to the north side of I-70, and flow into the South Platte near Ft. Morgan.
A novelty that has drawn me to this area is the presence of evergreen forests on the hills between the west and middle forks of Bijou creek. These forests defy the common misconception that the eastern reaches of Colorado are nothing but flat, endless plains - there are indeed beautiful and unique landscapes east of Interstate 25.
My first time visiting this quad was with my then-girlfriend (now wife) around Christmas in 2022. We made a loop from Aurora east and south through this area, and back to the metro area through Elizabeth and US-85. I remember nearly becoming stuck in deep snow on the side of the road, even though my truck was 4wd! Since graduating college and moving to Aurora, I have visited the area multiple times and continue to be awed by its grandeur.
Much of the quad is privately owned by local ranchers. There is also a “subdivision” composed of homes on 5-7 acre lots in the northern portion of the wooded area. There are scattered sections of public land, most (though not all) of which is state-owned and does not permit geocaching. Many of the quad’s existing caches are hidden on the public right-of-way of area roads. The final container is on public land but be careful to avoid trespassing while accessing it. Please be watchful for jagged metal edges, barbed wire, or other hazards while accessing the cache.
Puzzle:
KK1601
North: +1.287
West: +2.220
Coordinate Check: NXX XX.XX5 WXXX XX.XX9