CONGRATULATIONS TO MooseTag AND Spooty FOR THEIR CO-FTF!!!
This multi-cache is in the Indian Caves section of the Pawnee National Grassland. Indian Caves is located in the extreme northeastern sector of PNG, very close to where northeastern Weld County and northwestern Logan County have their common border just south of Nebraska. Because of its distance from the metropolitan areas along Colorado’s Front Range, this area is rarely visited. It has interesting terrain, unbroken expanses of grassland, long cliff features, and expansive views. It also has extensive “gardens” of prickly pear cacti, and a plethora of rattlesnakes.
The best season to visit is during winter on days with low or no winds and when snow cover is thin or absent. During spring and autumn it’s important to be watchful for snakes. During hot summer days the heat can make conditions uncomfortable and thunderstorms can present problems in retreating on muddy clay two-tracks from the listed parking coordinates. Also in summer, rattlesnakes are active in the cooler periods after dawn and before dusk. Choose your poison, exercise caution, but come expecting to revel in this special portion of the grasslands. It indeed is a special place.
The extended cliff system in this section of PNG supports a series of shallow south-facing overhangs that are somewhat cave-like; hence, the designation “Indian Caves” for this area. By carefully traversing and searching along the south-facing cliffs, one can come on occasional pictographs on the rock faces. These are small and delicate, and hard to find. ‘Knapped stones and an occasional arrowhead are also possible discoveries.
The multi-cache has four stages. The hiking loop to reach all four covers about 2 ½ to 3 miles. If the nearby Traditional cache (Chief Red Cloud’s Lookout) is also included, expect a hike of about 5 miles to complete the loop. The most convenient parking is at the Indian Caves Windmill, reachable on a two-track dirt "road" that courses almost due north from the road entrance to the grassland along Weld County Road 124. If the road is muddy or if snow drifts prevent access, park along the county road and hike in to the windmill vicinity before proceeding to the first stage.
Stage 1 is hidden in a cavity beneath a fairly flat rock, just uphill from a large, solitary juniper. It has coordinates for Stage 2.
Stage 2 is hidden in a distinct hole in a rock face. Get the coordinates here, to find Stage 3.
Stage 3 is under the lip of a large flat rock (there are many in the GZ vicinity, so search until you find it!). It’s the overhang at the western end of the rock. Use the information found in the Stage 3 container to reach the Final.
All stages are located on USFS public land, and all can be reached by staying off the private in-lier tracts in this portion of PNG. Have fun. Be careful. Enjoy this special and rarely-visited part of Pawnee National Grassland!
Additional Waypoints
P15KJBR - Indian Caves Windmill Parking
N 40° 54.380 W 103° 36.380
Parking in the vicinity of the windmill
Indian Caves Multi
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