Skip to content

BIG SKY COUNTRY HAPPY Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

CCCooperAgency: Jon, please remove & discard the cache as trash.

More
Hidden : 7/4/2003
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Good things come in small packages so they say...Mr. SMALL comes to the TREASURE STATE in the shape of BIG SKY COUNTRY HAPPY cache to share his BIG SMILES along the Miles. PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT TAKE HIM FROM THE CACHE OR HIS STATE HANG TAG. DO bring along a camera to record YOUR smiles with his!

Cache is smaller than regular white HAPPY plastic with tiny HAPPY logbooks (room only for name/date)in a regular sized ammo box. Use this link as the other is broken: http://www.stelzriede.com/ms/html/mshwfugo.htm

Cache is on Burnt Fork Pinnacle, offering nice views of the Nine Mile Valley, as well as nearby peaks, some of which host other caches with even more amazing views if Big Sky Country. Rumor has it that Burnt Fork Pinnacle was a lookout site for Japanese Fu-Go Balloons.

To reach the cache, drive up nine mile road to N47° 11.446' W114° 35.439, take the right fork, and continue driving to the marked trailhead near N47° 14.019' W114° 37.657. From here, the hike is approximately 3 miles along the trail. There's no need to leave the trail until very close to the cache, so don't get impatient and start bushwacking too early.

Shade is a very rare commodity on this hike, so be sure to bring too much water and wear appropriate attire to stay cool and avoid sunburn.

The lower portion of the hike passes through an area that was severly burned in a recent forest fire and the remaining dead standing trees are unstable, so keep your eyes and ears open for trees suddenly succumbing to gravity. Avoid this hike altogether if strong winds are in the forecast. Lots of wild flowers, saplings, insects, birds, and other wildlife can be seen along this hike as Mother Nature demonstrates her ability to recover from fire without human interference. Several varities of butterflys and wild flowers, a wood pecker, a hummingbird, two hawks, a grouse (no surprise there), and an 8 point buck were all seen up close and personal on the hike to hide this cache. There was no noticeable sign of bear activity in the area, but appropriate precautions are still recommended.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)