Mt Esther (Almost) Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is near the top of one of the high points of Mt. Esther as identified by the Pikes Peak Atlas in the Pike National Forest.
Mt. Esther is to the west of Chipita Park and to the East of Crystal Creek Reservoir. The northwest high point carries the name but it is harder to get to it. This cache is near the southeast high point (they are about the same elevation), which also has the better view.
There are two common trailheads for getting to this cache. One involves paying a fee to drive up the Pikes Peak Highway to the Crow Gulch Picnic area. The other starts in Chipita Park and is more of a climb.
From Chipita Park it is about 2.4 miles with 1600 ft. of climbing. Make sure you don’t continue on the Ring the Peak trail but take the trail fork to Mt. Esther. The trail gets weaker as you get closer to the high point and all but disappears when you get to the rock slabs on the southeast side. From here it’s possible but difficult to go by the west side (not recommended). There’s still a bit of a path around the east side and I’ve included some waypoints to help. Going to the very top is not difficult from the north side near the cache. It’s possible to get disoriented on the east side so I suggest you pay attention and use your GPS receiver. The trees and the rock high point reduce GPS accuracy on the east side.
Since this cache is up a ridge and near the “top” be aware of the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.
In Chipita Park there is a wide spot in the road where you can park next to the trailhead. There is only space for a few cars if everyone parks carefully. From Chipita Park Rd. you can take Picabo Rd. to the top where there is a very sharp left turn on a steep hill onto Mountain Rd where the trailhead is located. A less steep drive is to take Fountain Rd off of Chipita Park Rd. and immediately turn left onto Mariposa Rd. Go a short distance on Mariposa and turn left onto Paona Rd. At the top turn left onto Mountain Rd. and continue to the trailhead.
This cache has question number 3 in it for the Pike’s Cave puzzle cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Guvax ebbgf.
Treasures
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