Rock's Hoot Owl Cache (Montana Edition)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This is a NIGHT ONLY Cache, that is why it is classified a Mystery Cache. It is located along the Wild Mile in Bigfork. Children 10 and under, and dogs are probably not recommened for this cache. You will be right down on the river at a few points, and you will have to climb a large rock that doesn't allow for any mistakes that very few dogs could get over (Bubba, my Dog, didn't want to come down it when I was placing the reflectors); you will also have to climb over a chain-link gate.
I don't know if this is the first Night Only Cache in the state of Montana, but I am sure that it is one of the first. This is my second night only cache, my other is located in Central Florida.
To find this cache you will have to park at the PP&L River Access off of Highway 209 just outside Bigfork. The turn off is right at the top of hill on 209, right as you enter the curve coming from Ferndale towards Bigfork.
You can usually park within 100 feet of the coordinates posted above, from the coordinates you should see the beginning of the reflector trail. I recommend that you bring a strong flashlight, I use a 4 D-Cell Maglite. In places there is quite some distance between reflectors, or brush that could be in the way, and a strong flashlight makes a big difference. It is actually easier to find this type of cache on a New Moon, but you can find it on any phase. Also, if multiple people go out to find the cache, and you have a problem seeing the reflectors, just have one person use a flashlight to look at a time, too much light from multiple flashlights can drown out the light reflected from these small reflectors.
You will be looking for small reflectors, once you find a reflector, stand near the reflector, and begin shining for the next. Some will be close, some will be far, you may have to bob and weave a little, but you will be able to see the next reflector from within a foot or so of the tree that the current reflector is on. I rest the flashlight on my shoulder, right in line with the side of my head, and that seems to work best. Once you find three reflectors in one place, you will be within 5 feet of the cache.
The cache is well hidden, please hide it better than you found it when you leave. If you found the cache at its old location, you will already have a good idea of how this one is probably hidden. This area is a favorite party spot for locals, and I don't want any of them finding it inadvertantly. The cache contains a variety of camping supplies, and I would prefer that you maintain that theme. Also, please don't forget to log any travel bugs you might pick up from the cache.
A few notes about this location. This is on PP&L property. When you go in, you will be down by the river, and you will work your way around into a 3 sided fenced area, you will have to either climb over or under the fence, so don't try to bushwhack up and down the fence, you should come out on a good spot to go over or under it. Also, the park offcially closes at 7 PM, but the gates many times are left open, or not closed until later, when I went out and added more reflectors, they closed the gate, but they just dummy locked it, and left me a note to please lock it when I left, so they don't seem to be overly concerned about night use. If you get there, and the gate is closed, feel free to go on in and do the cache, it is only about 300 extra yards of walking.
Again, please be very careful. I make my caches challenging, but as long as you use your head, and don't do anything stupid, you shouldn't get hurt. Keep a good lookout with your flashlight, as there a lot of small ravines, and steep inclines that could sneak up on you in the dark. This is also bear and mountain lion country, and at night they have the upper hand, so going in groups is a good idea. Please just stay safe, and have fun.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jurer jbhyq lbh uvqr vg?