The
Hike
The
best place to start this loop hike is the parking lot of Lakemont
Community Park (N 47° 33.422 W 122° 06.812). Prepare yourself
for a just-over-one-mile loop hike with ~400 ft. of elevation
gain. The trail also features some steep switchbacks and some
rather muddy places (depending on the season). There are two
crossings of Lewis Creek, each requiring good balance and portage
of toddlers. This
map link shows you the terrain of the area. The development
overlay is about 30 years old, so consult the mapquest link on this
page for directions.
The hike is divided into two
sections: the first on paved neighborhood trails/sidewalks, and the
second on a beautiful wooded trail. On the latter, the trail
traces the edges of steep-sided gorges with babbling streams and
small waterfalls. On clear days there are surprising views of
Lake Sammamish and the North/Central Cascades. Eventually the
path descends switchbacks into Lewis Gorge. At the bottom,
the hiker finds a peaceful retreat and forgets that only a stone's
throw away is busy Lakemont Boulevard. After crossing
the creek, the trail turns upstream for a few tenths of a mile, at
one point crossing back over. Finally, there is an ascent
back up to the park.
The
Waypoints
This is a four-stage multicache. At the first waypoint
(the listed coordinates) look for three three-digit numbers.
Average them then replace the decimal portion of your
current latitude minutes with the average plus
eighty-eight. Now sum the three three-digit numbers and replace
the decimal portion of your current longitude minutes with
the sum minus sixty-five. You now have the coordinates
to the second waypoint.
At
the second waypoint, search for a 35mm cannister with the
coordinates of the third waypoint. You do not need to leave the
trail to find it.
At
the third waypoint, search for a magnetic car-key holder
containing the coordinates. You now have coordintates to the
fourth and final waypoint. The quickest way to the
final is to continue on the trail for another 20 ft. or so, then
take a left onto a soft-surface trail. From there, follow
your GPSr.
At
the fourth and final waypoint, search for a .30 caliber ammo
can. The cache can be retrieved without bushwhacking, though
you must step a few feet off the trail. Please take care not
to trample the moss which lines the trail. Also, please cover
your tracks. Also, remeber, this is a loop hike, so
your shortest route back to the park is to continue on the
trail.
Profile for dayvi, the original cache owner.