GC5M72V Near the Boundary--Rawah Wilderness Area
Type: Traditional | Size: Micro | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 02/01/2015 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 35.048 W105° 53.262 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
                       

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Wilderness -- "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain ... an area protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions." —The Wilderness Act of 1964

 

The Rawah Wilderness is administered by the USDA Forest Service and was incorporated into the national wilderness system in 1964.  It encompasses 76,394 acres.  Elevations in the wilderness range from about 8,400 feet to 12,951 feet, the elevation of Clark Peak. The high mountains of the wilderness are spectacular and are all within the Rawah range, a southern extension of the Medicine Bow Mountains. This scenic high country was markedly shaped by glaciation, which created the U-shaped valleys and rugged peaks that bring visual uniqueness to this marvelous landscape. To the south and west of the area lies the almost roadless Colorado State Forest State Park, an unofficial extension of the Wilderness. On the upper forested slopes of the mountains, especially in the southern section, expanses of old-growth spruce and fir abound.

This high alpine area contains the headwaters of McIntyre, Rawah and Fall Creeks, as well as the Laramie River.  The wilderness includes 25 named lakes ranging in size from five to 39 acres. These streams and lakes support cutthroat, rainbow, lake, and brown trout as well as graylings. The Rawah also hosts many mammals such as elk, moose, mule deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, marmot and beaver. There are many species of birds including the red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, white-tailed ptarmigan, raven, Steller's jay, and a variety of warblers. There are 85 miles  of trails in the wilderness that provide wonderful access to these lakes and streams and to the high mountain peaks that all make this area very special.

The geocache is located relatively close to the eastern boundary of the wilderness area.  It is accessible throughout the year, and is especially fun to reach in the winter season by snowshoe or back-country skis. Look for a medium-sized black bison tube. The most convenient parking is at the small lot at the Blue Lake Trailhead. Enjoy your hike or ski/snowshoe adventure to reach the cache location! From this parking location, choose your route carefully.

I "hid" this cache while I was co-leading a group of 11 Colorado Mountain Club snowshoers/skiers on a superb 7-mile snow "hike". As we descended we came upon a three-some of Poudre Wilderness Volunteers. It was quite remarkable that one of them was the male member of Pixel Magic. It was fun visiting with you in the snow, Peter!

 

 

02/13/2016 By Denali41
I've been looking forward to my first hike in several months, to test my state of recovery and overall condition. When icezebra11 suggested I do this on a hike with him to the location of my NTB cache that still needed a FTF (more than a year after its publication), I jumped at the chance. So my puppy Orizaba and I enjoyed a nice ride up the canyon with Brad, and a fun snowshoe trip in to the cache location. It's in excellent condition, and it was neat to watch Brad return with elation to the trail after his FTF. Yes, this was my "On The Road To Recovery" hike. It feels good to have it behind me.

02/13/2016 By icezebra11
I have had this cache on my "must do" list for some time but other caching objectives kept taking priority. Well its priority jumped up to the top recently. My friend Denali41 has been on an extended caching sabbatical due to several surgeries last fall that required extensive rehab but he was getting close to being able to get back out again. Three weeks ago I let him know that I intended to go for this cache soon and invited him to get out for a snowshoe with me if he was feeling up to it. We attempted to get the hike in two weeks ago but some effects of the surgeries caused a postponement. We arranged to try again today and all went very well, it was a great day to get out and hit the trail!

It was a bright, sunny, February day in the high country. The temperature was near 30° when Denali41, his puppy Orizaba, and I left the vehicle and it was around 40° when we got back. We enjoyed a nice snowshoe up the Sawmill trail to the cache site. Denali41 and Zaba stayed on the trail while I went the last bit off-trail to the cache. It was in perfect shape and I happily signed the log in the FTF position!

On the way back down the trail we met a CMC group on a backcountry ski trip, led by Denali's good friend Ward. It was a nice chance meeting! After some short conversation we continued down the trail to the awaiting truck.

Thanks Denali41 for this nice backcountry cache. I'm really surprised it went unclaimed for a year and I'm grateful to get the {FTF}. And it was an especially memorable day accompanying you on your "road to recovery"!!!

02/02/2015 By Alpine Reviewer
Published