Middle-earth Traditional Geocache
Chuy!: I came up to replace but, sadly, there are now signs, about 150 feet below the western ridge, stating access to the top is illegal. Went up anyways but can no longer place a cache up here.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Middle-earth, named by the local climbers, is atop Kwaay Paay Mtn.,
west of the summit. The trail north (near Old Mission Dam) of the
peak is clearly marked, but the shortest and more adverturous route
is up the western face from the Climber's Loop Trail.
I strongly encourage you to wear leather gloves, boots, and long
pants for this 350-450 foot climb. You are free to take any route
you can find off the Climber's Loop Trail. I've gone straight up
from the Monitoring MTRP and Limbo caches; I prefer the Limbo route
because the climb is shorter and has less boulder hopping. The
safest approach is a bunny trail behind the wall at Limbo;
backtrack a bit towards N32 49.433 W117 03.044, then head up. A
more direct approach is straight up from the Limbo cache.
Don't attempt this climb if you're afraid of heights, or never
climbed up a tree. If you do visit you will be rewarded with great
views and, hopefully, a sense of accomplishment. Be safe and have
fun. The container is a slender ammo can covered by rocks.
Note: MTRP's website and the kiosk at the main trailhead both
indicate you cannot access Middle-earth from the Kwaay Paay Summit
Trail that begins near Old Mission Dam - However some cachers have
found a path .
Note the restricted hours: Father Junipero Serra Trail closes at 5P
in Fall/Winter, and at 7p in Spring/Summer. They will lock you in!
If they do, go to the camp host at the eastern end of
F-J-S-T.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)