Himachal Hill High Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

gregybn: this was a great cache for many years, but it will now be archived...
the difficulties of maintenance are obvious...
the walk is still one of the nicest around dharamsala...
even without a cache to find, it a most worthwhile day hike offering many fine views...

More
Hidden : 3/5/2009
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

In the hills of Himachal Pradesh... above Dharamsala, starting in Mcleod Ganj.
A great hike, clockwise or counterclockwise – easy going, for the most part, on good 4wd trails and hiking paths. Quiet trails through forests plus excellent views of the valley- this is a great 4-5 hour excursion.

First, get to the McLeod Ganj town center… you want a clockwise trek, walk up a bit to
C1A = N 32^ 14.337 E 76^ 19.407
… then keep walking.

If you want a counterclockwise trek, walk up a bit to
C1T = N 32^ 14.339 E 76^ 19.427
… then keep walking.

Let’s do the clockwise trek… simply because that’s the way Buddhists always walk around shrines or temples.

so, next stop…
C1B = N 32^ 14.742 E 76^ 19.268
… a 3-way bridge/intersection…

keep going in an obvious direction to C1C
C1C = N 32^ 14.708 E 76^ 19.268
… an obvious feature, an obvious direction…

which will take you to a school ground…
C1D = N 32^ 14.691 E 76^ 18.837
“Come to Learn, Go To Serve”

go up and check out the small temple…
walk it (clockwise, of course) and get to the next point…
C1E = N 32^ 14.716 E 76^ 18.750

this takes you down and then over to new bifurcation…
C1F = N 32^ 14.732 E 76^ 18.789
take the left stairs… stay to the left of the Hostel

get to a point behind the Hostel…
C1G = N 32^ 14.794 E 76^ 18.820
that’ll put you at the start of a trail…

walk up a bit…to a bunch of stone cairns…
C1H = N 32^ 14.813 E 76^ 18.850
… stay right… look for flags…

pleasant walking across the hillside… until
C1I = N 32^ 14.749 E 76^ 19.032
enjoy the view…

keep walking along until…
C1J = N 32^ 14.826 E 76^ 19.070
guess what… you want to go UP (left)…

keep on until you hit another pleasant rest at…
C1K = N 32^ 14.941 E 76^ 19.283
enjoy the view…

keep on a bit more to a VERY important waypoint…
C1L = N 32^ 15.114 E 76^ 19.385
… a 3-way junction… but now, guess what… UP…UP
this meanders in a general direction (UP) … sometimes on a trail, maybe not?

but you will get to the ridge-line soon enough…
C1M = N 32^ 15.167 E 76^ 19.266
… and guess what… UP again
find your way up steeper trails (or no trail), through thorn bushes to the “TOP”

Geocache "Himachal Hill High"… by gregybn
N 32^ 15.200 E 76^ 19.324
there is (now) a small cache - on south side of cairn, sign in and enjoy the view.

Keep the circle going…
C1O = N 32^ 15.217 E 76^ 19.403
…will get you on the ridge again... easier to stay left on your way down the ridge-line
– to just below a small flat temple spot
Your choice to visit there…

... or continue down a rough trail to…
C1P = N 32^ 15.193 E 76^ 19.407

then an obvious path back along to…
Triund Trailhead = N 32^ 15.295 E 76^ 19.574
stop for a cup of chai… enjoy the view…

then keep going down road to until you actually come back to previous...
C1L = N 32^ 15.114 E 76^ 19.385
… but this time you want to go DOWN…

along a very pleasant forest trail until you reach…
C1R = N 32^ 14.753 E 76^ 19.525
… behind the school

and a short bit takes you to Dharmakot corner
N 32^ 14.701 E 76^ 19.551
take the road down to your right side (looking downhill)

this will take you to another 3-way spot
C1S = N 32^ 14.541 E 76^ 19.541
where you still want to go DOWN

until you finally reach back to the start @
C1T = N 32^ 14.339 E 76^ 19.427

Go buy a cold bottle of KingFisher at the center square/bus station… you deserve it.

If you wanted… turn around now and do the whole circuit backwards…
Hard to say which is better?
Both ways are enjoyable jaunts for a day High in the Hills of Himachal Pradesh

Additional Hints (No hints available.)

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