It was 80 degrees, the sun was, obviously, shining and life was good. "What do you say we go for a walk around Lake Sylvia before Easter dinner?"
"That would be great!"
"Ooh, you know what we could do... we could try to get in behind the lake and find some of those points you've marked with your GPSr as you've been out on your bike!"
It was a date!
We packed up the Trolls and headed off into the ever-rising sun. Water bottles to the ready, an ammo can and some good swag tossed in the back of the truck Just In Case, a map or few, and the computer running NG Topo! in my lap. We were off!
Our goal was to find a way up to Grouse Ridge, which is also known as Cougar Rock(s) Trail... without having to walk TOO far, or follow the single-track trails to get there.
Your goal is the same.
The view, once there, is awesome. Ironically enough, this is the ridge to the north of my cache on Minot Peak. We could easily see Minot to the south, and the valley spread below us. At the cache location your view is quite limited, and an absolutely fabulous spot to sit in the shade if it's a hot day, but to the west of the cache you'll find the best view of Minot, the valley below and the Towers and to the east, you will have a beautiful view of the Olympics.
A good spot to park can be found here: N 47 01.634 W 123 33.127
It's a little over .25 crow-fly miles to the cache, and an easy walk on single-track trails up the hill. If you find a better way in, or the gates are open all the way up you can get just a shade closer.
If you find the right maps, you shouldn't have a lick of trouble finding this.
PLEASE try to stay off the area hiding the ammo can as I'm not sure it will stand up to much abuse. If you come in from a different angle you can easily reach the cache and stay on solid ground.
Congrats on being FTF, Squarehead!