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Dallas Trail Bench Cache Traditional Cache

Hidden : 8/28/2005
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The parking area for this Ouray County cache site is quickly and easily reached off of County Road 17 (the old "River Road")between Ridgway & Ouray, via Dallas Trailhead. Terrain rating is based on an climb of 180 feet in less than 3/10 of a mile of trail at high altitude. Cache site is less than 1/2 mile hike to a mountain-side bench(ledge).

Parking area coordinates: N 38:03.295' W 107:41.520' This unpaved, sometimes one-lane "River Road" (Ouray County Road 17) was originally a narrow-guage railroad bed. Overlooks the Uncompahgre River Canyon and Highway 550, and skirts Black Lake. Drive CR 17 from near Ridgway southward to Ouray (about 10 miles) for the best views of the cliffs and mountains (not recommended for large RVs). However, cache parking area can also be accessed from Highway 550 via the Whispering Pines bridge then following CR 17 north to the trailhead. Tight turnaround available for RVs and vehicles with trailers at trailhead.

Dallas Trailhead is one of many access points to part of the huge network of wilderness trails that filigree the mountains here. ("Dallas" appears on many placenames in Ouray County, named in honor of George N. Dallas, the Vice-President of the United States between 1845 & 1849 under James K. Polk.) This trailhead also accesses the Corbett Trail #209, the Dallas Corbett Loop trail, and Corbett Canyon Trail. Elevation at the parking area is 7478' ft. Cache location is at approximately 7658' altitude (readings may vary due to cliffs & trees-- we couldn't get the same reading on ANY of our trips to this cache).

Expect a steep rise with switchbacks, no handrails. Sneakers or other snug-fitting treaded shoes recommended. Because of steepness & tilt of switchbacks, and clay soils, please DO NOT attempt if trail is muddy or wet. Be sure to sign the trailhead logbook (you sign in AND OUT again) and see the trail map at the trailhead information station about 100 feet along the trail from the parking area.

If you decide to follow Dallas Trail on past the cache, it will eventually climb to 9700' ft up at Burn Ski Hut. This is a no-fee area. Enjoy the forest and the great views between the trees from the cache site. Look for the interesting huge bulging rock above & 30 yards north of the cache site. Again, it is quite steep in spots - please use care on your way back down.

CACHE is an airtight & watertight "Lock & Lock" container, 1.69 qts, 6"x 9"x 2.5", clear base & lid. Coordinates bounce around a bit due to terrain & trees.

ENJOY the hike & the hunt!!!!!!


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Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Bar ebpx uvqrf n erprff va gur pyvss. Ybbx ybj!

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)