Peak-A-Boo: Signal Peak Traditional Cache
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Peak-A-Boo from the top of Washington County! Brown’s Point? Oak Grove? From either direction, it’s all green lights to the top of Signal Peak (10,365’), the highest point in Washington County.
Where the heck is Signal Peak? In southwestern Utah, approximately 15 miles northeast of St. George. Signal Peak is located in the Pine Valley Mountains in the Dixie National Forest. Signal is supposedly named because of its use in World War II when beacons were placed on the mountain to guide airplanes at night. Newly created legend has it that Signal Peak still acts as a beacon to Utah county Peak Baggers and Peak-A-Boo series Geocachers alike. Like a moth to a flame, they're drawn to that great light: the summit.
Two popular trails used to hike Signal Peak are Brown's Point trail in Pine Valley or Oak Grove trail northwest of Leeds and I-15. Both trails were used when trying to place the Peak-A-Boo: Signal Peak cache. A lightning and hail storm at the 3.6 mile mark on the Brown's Point trail postponed a successful summit in early October 2003, but an attempt a week later up the Oak Grove trail was a success.
Both trails can easily be followed and are well maintained. Brown's Point trail is longer and the elevation gain more gradual than Oak Grove as it ascends a heavily forested ridgeline. The Oak Grove trail is steeper but shorter as it attacks the rugged mountainside in sections of exposed switchbacks. Both trails offer much in the way of scenery-- Brown's Point is more of a pine-forested hike with occasional glimpses of Pine Valley and surrounding mountains, whereas, Oak Grove is a rocky mountain hike through oak brush and scattered pine and aspen. The Oak Grove trail offers constant views of the valley, the I-15 corridor, the surrounding area, and distant glimpses of majestic Zion's Valley.
Giddy-Up, where do I start?
Brown's Point Trail:
· From St.George travel north on SR-18 about 26 miles to Central.
· Turn right/east and travel about 8 miles to Pine Valley.
· Turn left/southeast at the Pine Valley Church and travel about 3 miles into the Pine Valley Recreation area.
· Either find a place to park near the Brown's Point Trailhead (N37° 22.343 W113° 28.226) or add another 1.5 miles (round trip) to the hike by parking in the parking lot across from the Pine Valley Dam.
Oak Grove Trail:
· From I-15 between Cedar City and St. George, take the Leeds/Silver Reef exit near mile marker 22 from the south or 23 from the north.
· On the north end of town (Leeds), turn northwest towards Silver Reef and Oak Grove Recreation Area.
· Follow this road (dirt most of the way) 8 miles to the Oak Grove camping area and trail head. Make sure to stay right at a junction part way up and follow any signage to Oak Grove C.G.
The hike from the trailhead of either trail is quite a workout the first 2.75 miles. The Brown's Point trail gains approximately 2,900 feet over 2.9 miles, while Oak Grove gains roughly 3,300 feet in 2.7 miles. Interestingly, both trails crest at points near the 2.75 mile mark where they both then loose 150' (Oak Grove) - 300' (Brown's Point) in elevation as they approach a junction (N37° 19.803 W113° 28.232) where they meet near Deer Flat.
From the trail junction, the merged trail heads west following the sign to Further Water. The trail continues another 1.25 miles to the west and southwest through two alpine meadows along with a couple of gentle inclines and then back into the trees. At this point (about N37° 19.407 W113° 29.243), turn left/southwest off of the trail and stay right of an obvious drainage. Scramble the last 0.5 mile and 500 feet of elevation, following your GPS to the Summit and Peak-A-Boo cache.
Once on top you'll know why you came! Catch you breath and rest your feet as you absorb the spectacular view of the St. George area and backdrop of southwestern desert bluffs and plateaus. The red-rock landscape of southern Utah is yet another Utah gem.
Obviously, the 'prize' in this geocache is bagging the summit and the beauty of the Dixie National Forest and surrounding desert panoramas-- the dessert is finding the cache. When you are finished and flush with success, you may want to head back to a general store in Pine Valley or Leeds for a snack, refreshing drink, and conversation with the locals. Tell 'em WeatherGuy & Stockley_True sent ya!
Original cache contents include:
· (Notebook, mechanical pencils and thermometer stay in cache)
· Chapstick (cherry flavored lip balm)
· Pkg. of 15 Kleenex
· (2) Pkgs. of Advil
· Mini First Aid Kit
· (2) Pkgs. of wet-wipes
· Tiger Lily music CD (unopened)
· One emergency poncho with hood
· Stoplight Red Full-Sized Devil Duckie
· Booklet of Souvenir Postcards of Ogden, Utah
· (2) Official Olympic 2002 Utah Highway Roadmaps
· "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" Soundtrack on enhanced CD
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nobhg 14 srrg sebz gur gehr fhzzvg haqre n ovt ebpx.
Treasures
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