Viewfinder Traditional Cache
Hipointer and Capiti: This one has run its course. Time to go.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A nice hike to a spectacular viewpoint. The lower half of the trail has interestingr boulder formations.
We were going to call this cache Boulder Loop after the name of the trail it is located on. When Capiti got to the viewpoint it was so spectacular it reminder her of the White Mountain views through those old time stereographic viewfinders. So we renamed the cache Viewfinder, but the log book still says Boulder Loop.
The trailhead is on Dugway Rd. off the Kancamagus Highway. Drive across the covered bridge to the parking lot on the right. The parking lot also can be reached from Passaconaway Rd which leaves West Side Rd. in Conway. You will have to pay $3.00 to park unless you have a WMNF parking pass or a Golden Age Passport.
The trail starts directly across the street from the parking lot. In 0.2 miles a loop junction is reached. Take the left or clockwise loop. The trail passes through an interesting boulder field and then begins going uphill with only some short respites. It rises more than 1000 feet, passing several viewpoints, to its highpoint where there is a spur trail out to the ledges. Continue all the way out to the end passing several more viewpoints. At the end of the trail there is a yellow "X" painted on the ledge. The best views are from here. There are fine views of Mt. Passaconaway, Mt. Chocorua, Middle Sister and several others. The cache is about 190 feet further on from here. You are looking for an ammo can.
When you have found the cache return to the main trail and continue around on the loop or go back the way you came. The second half of the loop is not as interesting as the first half, but it does pass directly under a gigantic balanced rock. A fit hiker can make the roundtrip in 2 hours, but you will probably want to spend more time at the viewpoint. Bring your lunch and take it all in.
This is a great hike for families with older children. We saw several of them during the day. Please be careful on the ledges. There are many steep drop offs.
There is a new Green Jeep Travel Bug waiting for the FTF.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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