Step four in the SE "QUADRANTS" series. If you haven't
conquered "QUADRANTS - A place to start" or "QUADRANTS - A Sense of
Albuquerque - Suburban" or "QUADRANTS - A Sense of Albuquerque -
Urban" yet, please do so before starting this one - they will get
you to this destination!
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Please see the write-up of Methods and Generalities for the
"QUADRANTS" series in a prior step (2) - "QUADRANTS - A sense of
Albuquerque - Suburban", if you don't know what this is all about
or why we did this!
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QUADRANTS - "Overlooks" - SE Wilderness - Summer
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We're assuming you've had enough of the Urban setting by now and
you'd like to clear your head of the noise and the smells. Well,
you're now really close to the culmination of this QUADRANT!
Congratulations are in order if you've come this far! We hope
you've enjoyed the trek.
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"Overlooks - SE Wilderness - Summer" cache is NOT at the
Coordinates listed above!
To solve this cache you'll need:
1. A working GPSr unit (or for you purists out there a Map,
Compass & Plotter)
2. The numbers that you wrote down from stage 2 at step 3: "A
sense of Albuquerque - SE Urban".
3. The actual cache location as figured out by solving the
problems below.
4. A Pen/Pencil and a nice day with clear skies.
5. Your Log sheet to keep track of all the numbers you'll need
for each QUADRANT.
6. A pair of binoculars and a camera, but this time - just for
fun - they're optional.
7. A car and good weather.
8. A sense of Freedom and relaxation - a meditative moment!
The above coordinates point to the South-East corner of New
Mexico - Remember this! The previous 3 steps will have taken you in
and around Albuquerque and finally TOWARDS (not TO) the above
coordinates. You are now going to be leaving the "Heart of
Albuquerque".
First though, a disclaimer:
YOU ARE GOING OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS, BE AWARE OF THE USUAL
THINGS: SNAKES, BEARS, MOUNTAIN LIONS, BAD WEATHER, LIGHTHING
STRIKES, HAVING ENOUGH WATER AND STEEP DROP-OFFS. SOUNDS
CONSIDERABLY MORE SAFE THAN BEING DOWNTOWN!
To solve the location of "Overlooks - SE Wilderness -
Summer", you will need to figure out the following
problems:
1. Upon solving the questions posed at Step 3 "A Sense of
Albuquerque - SE Urban" but prior to taking a bus ride (you did
ride the bus, didn't you?), you were probably able to figure out an
exact bearing. You also wrote it down as suggested, right? NOW, you
must use THAT bearing and calculate the RECIPROCAL bearing of it.
From this number you must SUBTRACT the number listed at "A" as
found at stage 2 of step 3: "SE Urban". The number you arrive at
will be the Bearing (in true north format) to THIS Cache from the
"Heart of Albuquerque"!
2. At the prior cache (step 3, stage 2) you also found a number
listed at "B" - This number is the distance (in Miles), as the crow
flies, to THIS Cache from the "Heart of Albuquerque".
3. At the prior cache (step 3, stage 2) you found a number
listed at "C" - This number should be used to refine your latitude
calculation and make it exact. IE, this number is the final 4
numbers after the decimal point when using the format NXXd
XX.____m.
4. At the prior cache (step 3, stage 2) you found a number
listed at "D" - This number should be used to refine your longitude
calculation and make it exact. IE, this number is the final 4
numbers after the decimal point when using the format WXXd
XX.____m.
Based on this information (and the interesting map bearing lines
that you've drawn up) you will know with relative accuracy where
this cache is. Now all you have to do is get there and claim the
cache! Towards that end we'll give you some directions:
1. From Albuquerque take Interstate 40 east to the town of
Tijeras, exit onto highway 337 south.
2. Follow highway 337 south for approximately 28 miles to
highway 55 then turn west - the coordinates are: N34d 45.2639,
W106d 14.1872.
3. Follow highway 55 for 11 miles to the town of Manzano, turn
west onto the dirt road that has a sign for "Capilla Peak Lookout"
- the coordinates are: N34d 38.8374, W106d 20.7074.
4. Follow this bumpy road all uphill to the crest and to the
parking area - the coordinates are: N34d 41.9300, W106d
24.2890.
5. There is not much room to park, but try to park off of the
dirt road if you can.
6. Hike the "Gavilon" trail to the cache site, it is
approximately .7 miles to the west.
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Some notes about this cache:
1. The cache container is a 50 caliber ammo box that is well
stocked with goodies!
2. The area surrounding has many interesting vantage points, a
forest lookout that is open to the public, the University of New
Mexico has an Observatory up here - you may shimmy under a fence to
get a good look at this little wonder (which is one of the first
university observatories that is run almost completely by remote
control from UNM), there is also a camp ground nearby!
3. Your cell phone can pick up a signal from in front of the
observatory site, in case you need help, but why waste a good
meditative moment?
4. The surrounding area has many great places to see wildlife -
especially birds of prey - fall is a good time to see them migrate
- Eagles, Hawks!
5. Take some pictures and use those binoculars!
6. You are standing at 9250' above sea level!
7. Write down the white word and numbers on the inside lid of
the ammo box for the final step of this series!
8. Enjoy a very special view of the Rio Grande Valley!
That's it! It should seem fairly obvious that this cache may not
be accessible during winter months - too much snow! So, we will be
placing another cache similar in size to this one down in lower
climes for winter with the same information and the same means of
locating it (step 3, stage 2) at the "Heart of Albuquerque - SE".
Be on the lookout for any changes to the cache page: "QUADRANTS - A
sense of Albuquerque - SE Urban" for the location of this "Winter"
cache and when it will be "active"!
Upon completion of this you will have 1/4 of the information
needed to get you to the final stop on this "QUADRANTS" trek: The
"Heart of New Mexico"! Now all you've got to do is conquer all of
the other quadrants in the series!
Good luck, thanks for making it this far and happy
caching!