GCP5TE Highlands Ranch Bug House (Traditional Cache) in Colorado, United States created by BadgerJRL

This cache has been archived.

HighCountryAdmin: I am archiving this defunct geocache to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair or replace the cache sometime in the future, please contact me via my profile, and assuming it still meets the guidelines, I will be happy to unarchive it.

Thank you,
HighCountryAdmin
Volunteer Cache Reviewer

Geocaching Guidelines: http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx
Geocaching Knowledge Books: http://support.groundspeak.com/Support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=view&parentcategoryid=5&nav=0

GCP5TE ▼

A cache by BadgerJRL Message this owner

Hidden : 6/3/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This cache is NOT intended to be the most difficult you have encountered. But we want it to be fun. It is located on the Diamond K Trail near THE Highlands Ranch; a real working cattle ranch that dates back to 1890. Many people don't know it is here.

A brief history of the Ranch: 1890 - John W. Springer, a wealthy man with a background in politics, banking and law moved to the area. In 1891 he began construction on Castle Isabel, what we now know as the Highland Ranch Mansion. Between 1891 and 1913 Springer operated the Springer Cross Country Horse and Cattle Ranch and his holdings grew to 23,200 acres. In 1913 Springer sold the property to Colonel Hughes, his father in law where ranching continued under the name of Sunland Ranch.

September, 2013 Update: The following two paragraphs were copied from the Highlands Ranch Mansion website.
Local history books have long maintained that John Springer was the first person to build a home on the property, but as crews were stripping away a wall of rotted wood on the mansion’s east side late last year, they saw one word etched into the rock: Rotherwood.

After some research by officials at the Highlands Ranch Metro District, which is overseeing the $6 million mansion overhaul, it turned out that Rotherwood was the name of the childhood home where Samuel Allen Long came of age. For more on this period of time follow this link: http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/castlerock/news/workers-discover-clues-to-highlands-ranch-mansion-s-past/article_25a9ca7c-baae-5130-8a48-2642bbffe828.html

Waite Phillips purchased the ranch in 1920 and began raising Scottish Highland Cattle. Thus, he renamed the ranch to Phillips Highland Ranch. It was in 1926 that Frank E. Kistler of Wolhurst Stock Farms, took possession of the property and converted the ranch into a breeding ranch specializing in dairy and Angus cattle, various pure-bred sheep, hogs and chickens. Kistler called his ranch the Diamond K Ranch. Kistler encountered financial difficulties in the 1930's and sold the ranch to Lawrence Phipps Jr., in 1937. Phipps Jr., the son of a former Colorado Senator, renamed the property Highland Ranch and continued to use the ranch as a working ranch until 1976 when he died.

Shortly thereafter, the entire ranch was sold to Marvin Davis who quickly organized the Highlands Ventures Corporation to market the property. In 1978 Mission Viejo Company entered a two year option and in 1979 officially became the new owners of Highlands Ranch.

Shea Homes acquires Mission Viejo Company and Highlands Ranch in 1997. The Ranch is currently operated under contract by Clough Cattle Company. Some of the stock is located on grazing land near Daniels Park. Notice the unique stone wind mill on the hill to the south.

Immediately to the west of these buildings is the Highlands Ranch Mansion, a beautiful stone structure nestled in trees that is open for tours by appointment and usually once a year in September. The mansion has 6 fireplaces, 14 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms.

About the Cache: Travel bugs can be placed here for local users and anyone else who deals in travel bugs. There is also the usual non-travel bug trade items for kids and big kids too. The cache is a standard ammo can located a short distance off the path. Be discrete so as not to attract the attention of those who do not understand what it is that we do. The trail is paved and fairly flat. In the winter quarters it could be icy. We don’t want anyone hurt. If you take a Travel Bug, please replace it with another Bug if you can so we will always have an inventory of two or three. Repeat visitors can post a memo to document their trade.

Suggested parking at N 39’ 32.218” W 104’ 58.015”.

NOTE #1: CHECK THE COORDINATES BEFORE YOU VISIT, BECAUSE I OFTEN CHANGE THE LOCATION SLIGHTLY TO REDUCE THE "GEOTRACKS". IT WILL BE WITHIN 30 - 40 FEET.
NOTE #2: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES FEED THE HORSES. IN THE FALL OF 2008 A HORSE CAUGHT ITS HOOF IN THE FENCE AND WAS SERIOUSLY CUT WHILE BEING FED AN APPLE. APPLES AND CARROTS CAN CAUSE COLLIC WHICH CAN BE FATAL TO THE ANIMAL. THE HORSE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN. LOOK, BUT DON'T TOUCH!!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Purpx sbe arj pbbeqvangrf. Vg zbirf bsgra.

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)

This cache has been archived.

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Highlands Ranch Bug House Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Treasures