GC695KE Sugarloaf
Type: Traditional | Size: Small | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: icezebra11 @ | Hide Date: 01/03/2016 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 22.506 W105° 23.026 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
         

---

CONGRATULATIONS Pixel Magic and Fishhooks81 on the FTF!!

According to dictionary.com, the definition of Sugarloaf is "a large, usually conical loaf or mass of hard refined sugar: the common form of household sugar until the mid-19th century."

---

One day while caching in the area for "Stun-onishing Views" I extended my hike and headed to Sugarloaf Mountain.  I'm sure glad I did.  Sugarloaf is aptly named as its summit is a somewhat conical mass of granite and the views from the top are super sweet!  Sugarloaf is not a ranked peak but don't let that minor detail deter you from making the trek to this fine location.  You will find it is quite a wonderful promentory!

The terrain rating is high for several reasons.  First, it is a somewhat lengthy trek from any direction.  Second, there are parcels of private land that must be avoided unless you are fortunate enough to obtain permission to cross.  The cache can be accessed entirely from public land.  And third, the easiest scramble up to the summit that I could find has one spot that requires using small hand and toe holds to get up (and back down) a vertical block about 6-7 feet high and that can be intimidating to some.  There was snow and ice on the north side of the summit when I was there which did limit some options so maybe in dry conditions you can find a better route.

The cache itself is a small duct-taped jar which is easy to locate.  It is at the base of a solitary tree about 85 feet WSW of the Sugarloaf summit and benchmark, covered with a few stones.  You can also log the benchmark as an added bonus.  Enjoy your hike, the scramble, the cache, the benchmark, and especially the sweet views from Sugarloaf!

11/28/2017 By icezebra11
A belated thanks to Denali41 for replacing the missing container. Very much appreciated Steve!!

07/27/2017 By COpackrat
Enjoyed the hike to this and especially the last little scramble. Thanks for the hide.

07/12/2017 By Denali41
Sugarloaf was published more than 18 months ago; from the get-go I've wanted to make the hike to find it. Today, finally, my puppy Orizaba and I put it as my priority. I'm pleased I did, because the long hike into Sugarloaf Mountain was done in a cool drizzle--such a contrast to the extreme heat we've recently experienced along the Front Range. The misty rain kept temperatures SO comfortable!

I made a detour off my intended route to Sugarloaf in order to make a maintenance check on my cache "Stun-onishing Views!!" I brought a replacement container for that cache, just-in-case. I didn't need it, because my cache was in perfect condition. But I'm glad I had that extra container along.

Zaba and I had no difficulty getting up the slabby rocks of Sugarloaf Mountain to the more vertical terrain near the summit. The rock, and especially the lichen, were slick from the rain. Careful foot placement made the trip to the summit rim easy and safe. It was clear that Zaba expected to attempt getting up the vertical stuff to the summit. THAT would not have worked. So I laid my daypack on the ground and tied her to it with a leash and told her to stay while I worked my way up the very slippery moves to the top. She's good in such situations.

The cache container was missing. The few supporting/concealing rocks at the tree's base were scattered around by those who had taken the cache. As I contemplated the situation it dawned on me that I had a replacement container--the one I'd brought for "Stun-onishing Views!!", the just-in-case container! But of course it was down with Zaba in my pack. After a quick visit to Sugarloaf's summit and the benchmark, I made the slippery descent. With container in my pocket I re-ascended, placed it, and covered it with the nearby rocks, and then made another descent to Zaba and my daypack. The replacement container is a bit smaller than the original (based on Pixel Magic's photo). But it is still well within the "small" cache size range. It's a jar that's wrapped in black tape.

Thanks for a cache in a superb location, Brad. I'm so happy to finally have made the hike to Sugarloaf Mountain to the cache coordinates!

01/07/2016 By Fishhooks81
Found it. Hiking with Pixel Magic.We lot of fun

01/07/2016 By Pixel Magic
This cache is the reason for a hiking expedition by Peter and Brian of Pixel Magic and Fishhooks81 fame. We both saw the posting and thought that it would be a great addition to our found portfolios. The snow on and off the trails varied from bare, windblown surfaces to drifted snow in excess of 24" making travel a challenge. I visualized the summit differently from Brad's description, thinking that I was facing a tall vertical climb to reach the summit. I was pleased to discover a not so vertical yet challenging scramble to the summit and back down to the cache. Coords and ratings were good. The snow was not a factor in finding the cache as it was protected in its placement. Woohoo. Co-FTF.

Given energy and time available, I might like to travel back here some time to see the panoramic view on a clearer day. Our vista was dark and snow-filled yet beautiful.

Thanks for the hiking and caching opportunity in this nice place.