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Montalvo Deathmarch Traditional Cache

Hidden : 12/20/2005
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This hike is only about 3 miles round trip. (Hardly long enough to be called a deathmarch!) The deathmarch aspect comes in the fact that you will gain over 1000 feet of elevation on this relatively well maintained but very steep trail. It is a seldom used trail behind Villa Montalvo County Park. It is not labeled on the park map, but it is one of our favorite walks. On a clear day, you will get a spectacular view of the entire bay area from the top.

To find the trailhead, park at Montalvo and follow the Orchard trail to N37°14.552 W122°02.122.

From this junction (pictured), go straight over the logs and past the sign post. This is where you leave Montalvo's official trails. Continue up the hill until you reach a dirt road, and then turn left. The dirt road will eventually become a paved road, which you will follow for a few hundred yards. When the road forks, go straight, continuing up the dirt trail. Watch out for a big hole here. The trail should be relatively easy to follow, and you will not have to leave it until you reach the viewpoint where the cache is hidden. Please do not continue farther up the trail, as it soon becomes private property.

The reason for the detailed instructions on how to access this cache is to avoid trespassing through private property. Please respect the neighbors and follow the suggested trail. Besides, you'll enjoy the walk!

The cache itself is a green ammo can. It contains some standard goodies as well as a $10 gift certificate to a coffee shop in downtown Saratoga for the FTF. I promise that you'll be hungry after this hike.

Notes: Shoes with good tread are required for this walk. I also highly recommend hiking poles, as the upper section of trail is very steep. This is probably not a good hike for most kids. There is some (easily avoidable) poison oak on this trail, so watch out and be prepared. Also, please careful of mountain bikers that may be coming down this trail.

Be sure to visit my Secret Montalvo Trail cache on the way up the trail!


This cache can be accessed from Villa Montalvo County Park.
Park hours are 8AM-5PM weekdays and 9AM-5PM weekends.

Park Map (pdf)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[You shouldn't need it, but...] vg'f va n ohfu bss gb gur evtug.

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)