Sunset Mine Traditional Cache

This cache is temporarily unavailable.

Rock Rabbit: This geocache was brought to my attention as being in need of an owner maintenance visit. The cache owner needs to check on this cache ASAP and either replace it or archive it, after picking up any geo-litter. See the maintenance section of the Geocache Listing Requirements/Guidelines.

I've added this cache to my watchlist, and I will check back in four weeks to be sure that the maintenance has been done. In the meantime, I have temporarily disabled this listing. When the maintenance is completed, the owner can enable the listing by clicking on the link below the cache name to return it to active status.

Whatever your intentions, please post a note here on the cache page (not email) to let us know that you are still active and maintaining the cache. If a month passes without seeing a response, then I'll assume that this listing should be archived.

Rock Rabbit
Geocaching.com Volunteer Reviewer

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Hidden : 1/31/2005
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Located near Index at the abandoned Sunset copper mine at 1,352 ft. elevation. 3.5 mile r/t hike/mountain bike on a rough 4x4 road. You'll gain about 500 ft. elevation to the cache site. You are looking for a 6x6inch Lok-n-Lok. Read this excellent DNR article with pictures and history. Sunset Mine Click on the open file report. Also, this article Sunset Mine Caution dangerous area.

This is the 4th in my series of geocaching-mine caches placed in the Index-Skykomish area. It's amazing to come here and see how nature has reclaimed so much of a once bustling mill and townsite. This is the site of the most productive copper mine in the state. 12,912,000 lbs of copper, 156,000 ounces of silver and 1,500 ounces of gold were removed from here between 1900-1950. Not much remains of the mill and buildings. Look at the referenced articles for some good pictures and history of the site. You won't need to go in any mines or near any dangerous mine sites to retrieve the cache. Drive US 2 and turn off at Index. Continue past Index and go approx. 5 miles on the Index-Galena Rd. Cross over Trout Creek and go about 200 ft. to a right hand turn off that's flagged well. Continue to the left and park here. If you have a SUV with good ground clearance or a 4x4 you can attempt the road. If you aren't experienced in driving rocky 4x4 roads then park at N 47 51.789 W 121 29.036 Go through the rusty yellow gate uphill. At 1.25 miles take the right hand road and then on to the mill site at 1.75 miles. Continue up the main road and to the cache site passing the main #2 adit on your left to the old bridge crossing Trout Creek. Nice camping spot here or a spot to cool off. If you decide to explore the area heed all the warnings and keep out of the mines and large open dig sites. Most have some caving going on or are blocked. CITO if you can. Lots of garbage and debris scattered about at the mill site.

Update: 7/13/11 There is now a temporary road closure, so you won't be able to drive the road to the mine area. This adds about 3 miles to the hike. The road is in decent shape now, so you could ride a mtn bike.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

AJ pbeare bs gur byq oevqtr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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