GC2N306 Neither Gold Nor Silver
Type: Traditional | Size: Small | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 01/27/2011 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N39° 58.700 W105° 36.115 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
       

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CONGRATULATIONS TO SILVER TREKKER FOR FTF!!

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This cache is about Klondike Mountain, a peak of 10,770 feet in elevation located west of Nederland. To find this cache, a moderate but fun hike is required, ending in a beautiful location.

Everyone’s after treasure–in the case of geocachers, the treasure is another log to sign, and any special trackable travelers that might be in a cache. In the case of those hardy men and women who participated in the Klondike Stampede in 1897, the treasure they sought was gold, near Dawson City, Yukon. You’ll have a remarkably easy time getting to your Klondike treasure compared to the efforts made by the Stampeders as they tried to get to their dream! They were required by the Canadian authorities to transport a ton (yes, over 2000 pounds!) of food and supplies from Skagway or Dyea up the Chilkoot Trail and over Chilkoot Pass, and then to construct rafts and float the Yukon River downstream to their dream destination, the Yukon Gold Fields. And once there, most didn’t ever find an ounce of gold! You, on the other hand, will have a short hike to reach your Klondike destination, and once you are near GZ you are pretty much assured of finding your objective. It’s near the summit of Klondike Mountain, which connects by a gentle saddle to Caribou Hill. And the hill’s just a short way above parking.

Now the Klondike Gold Rush was all about “gold”. But Klondike Mountain rises above the old town site of Caribou, and Caribou was all about “silver”. That’s an interesting disconnect for a “Klondike”–gold vs. silver. Caribou was settled in 1870 and quickly grew to a population of about 3,000 people seeking their treasure. The town burned in 1879 and is now a Colorado ghost town. Today only the stone walls of the original Caribou Hotel and the assay office remain. You will see them.

Of course your goal is neither gold nor silver: it’s simply about locating a small cache container that protects the special log paper you’ve come to sign. Be certain to bring a pencil or pen. There is room in the container for small travelers and geocoins. After you find the cache take a few more minutes to visit Klondike Mountain’s summit. From this location, experience the magnificent scenery featuring the Indian Peaks to the west and southwest. Well, to me, witnessing those views is a truly “golden” experience, so even Colorado’s Klondike is about “gold”.

08/26/2018 By Back Country Horsemen
After hiking out to Mondos Valley View from the Caribou TH, we tried to lose as little altitude as possible and wound our way along the smaller peak to the 4WD road at the base of Klondike Mtn. As we got here there was a Rubicon that was trying to back down from the end of the road. We don't know why it hadn't just turned around like the other Jeep. Oh well... we continued trekking up trying to find bits & pieces of a trail through the bushes, trees & rocks, mostly bushwhacking, but we finally got to GZ. On our way back we ran into another hiker who expressed the same challenge of trying to find a trail.

07/03/2017 By nickgatt
#31052 Hiked to Klondike Mountain because it hasn't been found in almost 5 years. Another beautiful day in the mountains. TFTC

08/12/2012 By msstrong
great hike and lots of fun on a beautiful day, and guess what God blessed me with? look at the photo! cow moose with a calf, I couldn't get a photo of the calf, but this was between me and the cache location

08/03/2012 By NedHead87
Beautiful hike! The views were fantastic. Dropped off a tb!

07/28/2012 By cajrrman
Cache of the day today due to it being the greatest part of my Caribou adventure. I got here by bike but not all the way to the cache. I stashed the bike not far from the road where it is 1/4 mile as the crow flies to the cache. I then ran up the hill straight to the cache. Well, actually, it was a fairly difficult and steep slope to walk up with lots of breaks. About half way is when the bushwhacking started. I eventually made it to the cache area and felt fortunate to find the container as quickly as I did. There is a great view from up here. Coordinates are very good. 12:55 pm

10/15/2011 By miles&Jeff
A beautiful day in a beautiful place!