Middle Earth Two Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The Throne of Past Kings and Queens.
There are a number of places in Marin that appear to be taken right out of Middle Earth (at least in my mind!) This is one of those places. It’s a large dual-seat stone “throne”, with expansive views to the west and the ocean beyond. Perhaps this is the spot where, long ago, Elven kings surveyed their domain... It’s well off the main trail, which makes it a special, quiet place.
You can reach this lookout from the Rock Spring trailhead. Take the Simmons Trail (off of the Cataract Trail), and follow it through the fields into the trees and over a bridge, after which you’ll start climbing a hillside. Continue climbing until you reach the summit of the trail (about 2200' elevation). At this point, continue on the trail for about 50 adult steps as it starts to drop down the other side. You should reach an opening in the bushes on the left side of the trail, just to the left of a large rock (this opening won’t be blocked off with sticks/logs, in contrast to most of the openings you’ve past up to this point). This unsigned junction is at approximately N 37o 55.102, W 122o 36.894.
Carefully follow this faint trail west for about ten minutes until you reach the throne, located at N 37o 55.070, W 122o 37.076. Use your GPSr to help keep yourself on-route. Along the way (at approximately N 37o 55.078, W 122o 37.001), you’ll pass a big rock on the left with various coins spread upon it (I don’t know what the significance is of this).
After you enjoy the view from the throne, continue down a bit the find the cache. It is a small plastic case, and only has room for very small trade items. It was initially stocked with a variety of small colored biners and zipper pulls, plus one large (full-size) carabineer for the FTF. Please ensure that the seal on the case is clean before closing, so that it stays watertight.
YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR OWN PEN/PENCIL!!! Also, you should be sure to bring a map and compass for this trip -- this area is full of random paths and animal trails through the brush, and it's easy to get off-route. On the hike out from the throne back to the Simmons Trail, if you inadvertently lose the trail (not hard to do), just keep heading east-northeast by whatever path you can find, and you’re sure to run into the Simmons Trail.
If you’re looking for other near-by caches, consider continuing on to the “Music Camp” or the “Bridge to the Other Side” caches.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre n ohfu