PCT Sampler - Garnet Peak View Traditional Cache
PCT Sampler - Garnet Peak View
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This is the second in a planned series of Pacific Crest Trail theme caches. We are fortunate in San Diego County to have many trailheads that provide convenient access to the southern end of the 2,650-mile PCT, which runs from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border. The PCT transits some of the most spectacularly scenic country to be found anywhere in the world.
In the vicinity of the cache, the PCT follows the eastern crest of the Laguna Mountains on a relatively level course at an elevation generally between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. This is a land of pine trees and high country chaparral. Just a few yards to the east, however, the crest drops precipitously to the desert below, and the PCT provides incredible vantage points to pause and take in the grandeur of Anza Borrego Desert State Park far below.
The most convenient place to start your hike is from the Sunrise Highway, County Route S1, at a small parking area near milepost 27.8 on the east side of the highway (N 32 54.694, W 116 27.672. A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required. A day pass can be purchased for $5 (annual pass is $30) at the Mount Laguna store or the adjacent visitor center. This parking area is also the most convenient trailhead for a climb of Garnet Peak itself, which is a truly worthy and relatively easy summit to reach. It is also the home of the classic Auf Widersehen/Phoenix cache.
Granite Peak View can be accessed via the PCT and an old abandoned side road. No bushwhacking is required. The short half-mile access trail between Sunrise Highway and the PCT used to pass through an open pine and oak forest that, sadly, burned away as a result of the Pines and Cedar fires. The remaining sentinels are not likely to remain standing for too many more seasons.
After you reach a junction with the PCT, turn south. Along the way, you will have excellent opportunities for views of the sheer southeast facing cliffs of Granite Peak, the inspiration for this cache. Turn off the PCT at N 32 54.908, W 116 27.263. The cache itself sits atop an unnamed high point at an elevation of 5,663 feet. Round trip distance from the recommended parking area is 2.3 miles with a modest elevation gain/loss less than 500 feet. Facing east from this point, you will be looking down Storm Canyon toward the Vallecito Valley and, on a clear day, far beyond across the badlands of southern Anza Borrego Desert State Park. To the south, you will see Foster Point and Monument Peak, notable for its cluster of microwave antennas. Monument Peak is also home to the first cache in our PCT series (GCQVP2).
The cache container is a camouflaged plastic nut jar. Initial contents include:
Handmade bead gecko (black/gold/clear)
Sterling silver gecko charm
Deck of unique “Space Cards”
A traveling Etch-a-Sketch and pen combination
An original Yrium’s Pals card #8/20 (Zcat)
Selection of small lizards
Logbook and two pens
Remember to bring along sunscreen and plenty of water. You may be inspired to continue double back and climb Granite Peak itself or explore more of the PCT south of the cache. Enjoy your hike and the views.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pragre bs fznyy, fbyvgnel fueho arne rqtr bs qebcbss, fyvtugyl cevpxyl
Treasures
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