Dirty Face Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is on southernmost peak of Dirty Face Ridge in the north-eastern part of the Olympics
The cache is an ammo box, placed between a rock and a small evergreen.
Dirty Face Ridge is different. The trail along the ridge meanders between several outcroppings of brittle rock, and there is not one obvious summit. There are great views in all directions, although the view to the South will be blocked by nearby Mt. Townsend. The outcroppings are fun to climb on - and you'll have to do so at least once, in order to get to the cache - but be careful: slopes are steep, to a great extent they're composed of free rolling debris from the very rocks you're climbing on. I have placed the cache in a place I consider safe, but be careful nonetheless. Children should be kept on a leash.
Dirty Face Ridge can be reached in various ways.
The shortest but probably steepest way is from the Tubal Cain trailhead off Palo Alto road near Sequim. Another trail from this same trailhead will bring you to the Tull's Canyon, Tubal Cain and Marmot Pass caches.
Another trail, which is slightly longer but involves significantly less elevation gain, starts from the Little Quilcene trailhead off Lords Lake Road near Leland. Follow the trail past Little River Summit and through Sleepy Hollow. When you get to a sign with arrows to the left to Mt. Townsend and to the right to Tubal Cain Trailhead, take a right. You'll be very close to the cache.
Either way, it is worth continuing from the cache to the summit of Mt. Townsend. You'll be approaching the mountain from the North, and it's just another 1000' elevation gain. Mt. Townsed features great panoramic views when the skies are clear, but even when they aren't, the plateau above the timberline, the three peaks, and changing cloudscapes and the chipmunks won't disappoint.
A third way of getting to the cache is from the South. Climb the Mt. Townsend Trail with its 29 switchbacks, don't miss out on the Mt. Townsend cache below the southern summit, and follow the trail along the plateau. Twice, trails will veer off to the right to the middle and northern summit, respectively, and I suggest that you take your time to visit at least one of them. The main trail will start descending from the plateau towards the North-West and bring you to the aforementioned trail junction.
There is no water on the way. Make sure you bring enough!
As I hid the cache, the clouds came in from the north and obscured the view before I could pull out my camera. If pictures will be posted by finders, I'll be happy to put one of them on the cache page!
Congratulations for the FTF go to Bumblingbs!
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