NOTE: Apache Cachey passed away on February 29, 2004. I (Desert Trek) have adopted her caches and will continue to maintain them in memory of her. As a fellow geocacher, I am requesting your assistance in helping me to maintain her caches in a condition that will honor her. I can be contacted through her geocaching name or my own. Desert Trek.
This cache is located at Sacramento Peak near the Dunn Solar Telescope. The scenic drive alone is worth the trip to the National Solar Observatory. The view of the Tularosa Basin from an elevation of approximately 9,200 feet is spectacular. Park at the visitor's center and enjoy the historical and scientific Sunspot. The cache is a fairly large plastic plastic jar. Apache Cachey passed away on February 29, 2004. I have adopted her caches and will continue to maintain them in memory of her. As a fellow geocacher, I am requesting your assistance in helping me to maintain her caches in a condition that will honor her. I can be contacted through her geocaching name or my own. Desert Trek.
There are at least 5 approaches to the Sunspot Geocache.
The 1ST approach is to visit the Sunspot Astronomy and Visitors Center (N32° 47.255’ W105° 49.092’). You will need to tell the attendant at the Visitors Center that you are going to walk across their facility grounds. The charge, at this time, is $5. While you’re there, take the time to look through the visitors center and the exhibits on the grounds. Check out the web page https://sunspot.solar/visit and https://sunspot.solar/history. Presently they are open Thursday-Tuesday 10am-4pm. They are closed on Wednesday. Be sure and check for any changes to the opening hours by calling 575-434-7190 or find their page on the internet. It's an easy 0.2 mile walk.
The 2ND approach is to take Forest Trail 105B. Start at approximately N32° 47.095’ W105° 48.216’ and walk approximately 0.4 miles to the cache. There is a short but steep uphill scramble at the end to reach the cache. To get to the starting point take the road to the Apache Point Observatory, this splits off from the Sunspot road.
The 3RD approach is to start off the Sunspot Road at approximately N32° 47.396’ W105° 48.778’ and walk approximately 1.4 miles. There is a short but steep uphill scramble at the end to reach the cache.
The 4TH approach is to from Westside Road. Start at approximately N32° 46.984’ W105° 50.376’) and take Forest Trail 234 until it intersects Forest Trail 105B at approximately N32° 47.130’ W105° 48.943’. Turn left onto Forest Trail 105B and follow it to the cache. There is a short but steep uphill scramble at the end to reach the cache. The walking distance is approximately 1.9 miles.
The 5TH approach is to park at Cathey Peak Vista (N32° 48.846’ W105° 47.095’)and take Forest Trail 105 until it intersects Forest Trail 105A (N32° 47.682’ W105° 48.791’). Turn right onto Forest Trail 105A and follow it until it intersects Forest Trail 105B (N32° 47.879’ W105° 48.833’) Turn left onto Forest Trail 105B and follow it to the cache. There is a short but steep uphill scramble at the end to reach the cache. The walking distance is approximately 2.1 miles.