GC2M74H Traditional Cache One-Mile Pinnacle
Type: Traditional | Size: Small Small | Difficulty: 2.5 out of 5 | Terrain: 4.5 out of 5
By: estes01 @ | Hide Date: 01/08/2011 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N38° 51.299 W105° 05.026 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
Scenic view  Parking available  Medium hike (1km-10km) 

The foothills of Pikes Peak are filled with rock outcrops and small mountains of all shapes and sizes. Above timberline, the multitude of inviting spots beckons to the explorer in all of us, luring everyone in for a closer look. Rising out of a sea of snow, One-Mile Pinnacle towers over its surroundings, easily visible from the Pikes Peak Highway, Sentinel Point, the Pikes Peak summit, and most of the rest of the west side of the peak. Expect a short hike away from parking through wide-open alpine tundra.

One-Mile Pinnacle is located exactly one mile from the Devils Playground parking area off the Pikes Peak Highway. On foot, the easiest path is slightly more than a mile each way. The last 200 feet involves some bouldering and will be more difficult in the winter. Once on top, enjoy the 360-degree view of Pikes Peak, the Collegiates, Sangre de Cristos, Mosquito Range, and many smaller peaks closer in.

Most of Pikes Peak is accessible year-round. In any season, be prepared for bad weather, thunderstorms, and snow squalls. When Ernie66 and I hid this cache in mid-January, the snow was not deep. It was windswept and crusty in many areas, but we were still able to navigate through it easily without microspikes or snowshoes.

***Congrats to Spivey and Mtn_Goat; Co-FTF on 1/16/11***

Additional Waypoints

PK2M74H - GC2M74H Parking
N 38° 51.809 W 105° 04.125

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 Additional Waypoints (1)

CodeNameTypeCommentsDateCoordinatesDistance
PK2M74HGC2M74H Parking Parking Area  01/08/2011 N 38° 51.809 W 105° 04.125 1.61 kms NE 

 Nearby Caches

GC2MDM7 View of Sentinel Point and One Mile Pinn (0.36 kms W)
GC2MDKP The Challenge of the Century (0.51 kms N)
GC2MDK8 Lost Signal (0.71 kms SW)
GC2MDKX Devil's Playground View (0.72 kms N)
GC1KK9T NAN Aroostook (27.23 kms E)

   


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 Logs

6 Logs: Found it 5  Write note 1  

Found it 07/02/2019 By K Trackers
This is the fist geocache where I have had to kill to make the find. Future finders should take heed of the risks here and come armed appropriately, while the CO should consider updating the cache description as a warning.

I managed to pick this one up on the inbound leg of what I’ll call overnight Sentinel Loop+, taking the free / hard way. I approached this cache directly from GC2MDM7 view cache. As if for ominous foreshadowing, “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Santa Esmeralda began playing on my Ipod while the half empty water bottle on my shoulder strap banged like a Japanese water pump as I approached GZ. As I laid eyes on the cache, it slowly turned toward me. Although it wanted to call me Black Mamba, it didn’t dare do so since I am much better looking than Uma Therman. Instead, it heralded to an old callsign I had used. “Bushmaster, it is now time for me to Kill Bill.” To back up its words, the cache slowly unsheathed its polished weapon. Despite its small size, the container wielded the lengthy steel blade with the same grace as a samurai wearing a white kimono. Fortunately, I always carry a samurai sword when geocaching. I drew my weapon, took my stance, and asked, “Junbi wa i?” The container replied, “come on” and made a thrust. Storm clouds in the distance echoed our fury. Despite my labored breathing, I began to get the upper hand. In the end, this is a container placed by a silly Caucasian girl that likes to play with geocaches. The combatants may have been different, but the results were the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSjS_l3wGu8

All kidding aside, this was a tough cache for me to find. I have found a few by this CO, and it was the most difficult and not like others I have encountered so far. I burned more daylight here than I had planned. On approach, I saw two likely avenues to GZ. I had to chose either “rocky road” that would require some scrambling or sloping backside; which I assumed would provide an easier way to the cache. This is one of the few times I failed to pick the best terrain route. In retrospect, my judgment may have been clouded by the hike. Instead of thinking about the route most people take from parking, I was thinking of my perspective coming from Horsethief Trail. After grounding my ruck, I tried negotiating the obstacle. About three times I got to within 10 – 20 feet, but didn’t think I could continue. Right before I turned around each time, I asked myself, “Is this what she really wants us to do?” It was at this time that the Cotton Mouth v Black Mamba inspired log came to mind. It seemed that the container was successfully parrying every route I tried, and yes, the music really did come up on my Ipod as if on cue. I finally gave up on this avenue of approach and began my recon around the terrain feature. In the end, I did a “Bushmaster coil” around the entire terrain feature and finally reached GZ. There was an actual causality to this dual, my gorilla pod tripod broke in my pocket while I was squeezing / climbing some of the rocks. sniffle

I used up so much extra time at this cache that I had to curtail my objectives for the day. Since I planned to spend the night at altitude anyway (I’m too lazy to walk back down then up again), I made my patrol base for the night here. My shelter may not have been the most attractive effort, but it would do. Caching my ruck in the shelter, I went north and picked up two more caches while daylight permitted. After “finding a rock or something,” I sat down to enjoy a hot Spaghetti dinner and watch the sun set. I even had 2 minutes of cell reception if you can believe that! It was a bonus that this one is lonely, which is good because I keep track of those stats for challenges. With this find, I now have (counting only 1 year or more lonely) a total of 185 years, 4 months lonely time on 83 caches from 11 North American States & Provinces.

Thanks to the CO for placing this nice cache for everyone to find.

Found it 07/11/2017 By OR85OR450
Thanks! are due and due again to several CO's for another excellent outing on the peak. I stayed mostly at a 'drove-to' altitude. Saw a ton of tiny tundra plants in real nice bloom; listened to the resident birds and rodents all day; hardly heard a man made noise the whole time; and then had to make one scootin' hike back to parking to get layers and rain gear on.
But UH OH! I'm on a motorcycle !!! Well anyway I got below tree line before all the lightning really cranked up!

A-NOTHer 1 1/2 !!?? How'm I ever supposed to qualify for that 2/2 thingy over on Heizer !!????

BigSmile BigSmile BigSmile Wink

Found it 08/07/2016 By GoMRT
Went a major cache trek today where Sentinel Point was one of two main focal points of the run. Grabbed this one on the way back from Sentinel Point when the clouds started to threaten, the thunder was rolling and the grass was greeeeeen from the recent rains! Love these rock formations along this ridgeline! Great placement and hide from the Marmots that were hiding and watching as I trekked on by I am sure. Traded trackables today here....hope it does not stay for nearly three years like the one in Sentinel Point did before I grabbed it!

Write note 10/19/2015 By Back Country Horsemen
I really, really tried to get up to this one but There had been a pretty good snow squall earlier & the rock was very wet. Everywhere there was lichen it was too slick to climb across. I got to within 35' but there was just no way to reach the next level up (I was too short). That and since I was by myself there was no way for anyone to give me a hand up, which I usually rely on when climbing boulders. I had lost 2 hours for the snowstorm so I was worried about having enough time because I know they charge you big bucks if you aren't down & out by 5. It was just after 2 so I decided I didn't have time to explore the other side. Maybe another trip.

Found it 09/19/2015 By SnailMan1
I suppose one could climb to the top from the Northerly side, but that would be way above my skill level. I looked for another approach which took me up and over. Once on top I saw an even easier way down. Nice views up here!

Found it 09/06/2015 By TTO2
Once I saw my fellow DFW caching buddy I was just on a Kayaking expedition Tuesday with did this cache there was no way i was going to skip it, and then go after the one he skipped.