Enjoy the flatness of the parking lot because it’s all uphill for over a mile. Although you can shorten the 3 mile round trip hike, your lungs and legs will protest if you take the most direct uphill route in a couple of spots. My recommendation is to stick to the paved surface for as long as you can. When you get to final location, about 1,000 vertical feet later, the view is certainly worth the effort. You need to  obtain an EBMUD permit for this hike.

??? ( Final Mystery )

Total round trip distance is almost 4 miles from where I think is the closest legal parking. The terrain immediately goes up at the beginning, down in the middle, and up (again) to the cache. I do not recommend this hike after a heavy rain because the trail will be very muddy in 3 (or more) sections.

I suggest that you grab [url=http://coord.info/GC3J8TH]1 ( One Mystery )[/url] while you are in the area.

Update: I found a “portal” that will reduce this hike to less than 2 miles total. I did encounter an obstacle that I simply stepped over. Those with shorter legs should consider the nearby gate if you take this route.


0 ( Zero Mystery )

See my Bookmark listing for 0 ( ZeroMystery).

1 ( One Mystery )

There appears to be a couple of routes to this cache. Both routes start flat and then climb. The route I took went up, down, and back up. The total distance of 2 miles appears to be the same for either route. The elevation difference between the trail head and the cache is a little over 300 feet.

2 ( Two Mystery )

A completely flat 2.5 mile hike from the "on property" parking lot. The hike and the puzzle are easy but the challenge may not be.

A Puzzling Month (Challenge)

Although there are multiple routes to the cache, I picked what appeared to be the shortest by 0.3 miles. I don’t know if it is easier coming from other directions. The total distance was 5.5 miles with 1000 feet of elevation gain.

Catch the Spirit

It's well worth the $10 Park day-use fee to reduce the hike to about 1.5 miles and 100' of elevation gain. Since you're in the Park, drive (or hike) to the summit.

Easy As Pi?

The distance, from what I think is the closest free and legal parking, is less than 5 miles. It’s generally all downhill to the cache and naturally the opposite back. The trail is almost completely shaded by redwoods and doesn't appear to get much use. My total elevation gain was 607 feet.

HPUW9--Its a Wild World

Aside from one undulation, this is a very flat and easy 2 mile hike from the closest and free parking area. For a longer hike, you can pay a $5 parking fee and come from the opposite direction.

IS DUTY CALLING

My Topo maps (Garmon or Delorme) did have trails in this Regional Park but Google Maps does [:D]. Set to “Walking” directions, I was able to stay on trails all the way to the Final Location. Allow 1.5 hours of not too strenuous hiking to get to this one from the parking lot.

Ports, Protocols, and Stateful Inspection

3 mile easy hike that is very exposed and completely flat except for about .05 miles. $5 fee if you park at the posted coordinates.

Power Walk

Squak Mountain is known for its steep(er) trails and this one is no exception [:P]. From what I think is the closest trail head, the trail climbs immediately over the 2+ mile hike to the cache. The trail is a little steeper in spots but is pretty consistent overall [^]. Based on the total elevation gain, the average grade is almost 15 degrees.

Symbolism

As noted by the CO, there are many ways to get to the Final Location but the total hike will be over 4 miles no matter which route you take. The trail which the cache is located on is the CO favorite and my personal favorite in the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.

Worship in the Woods

Puzzles that have a 1+ mile walk/hike to the final location

Puzzles with a hike.list-details-1wr9x6v{text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px;}@media screen and (min-width: 600px){.list-details-1wr9x6v{font-size:1.25rem;}}.list-details-1wr9x6v.shareable{color:#87705a;}.list-details-1wr9x6v.public{color:#00b265;}Public

Puzzles with a hikePublic