As one turns off Colorado 14 at the Pingree Park Bridge, a series of switchbacks leads the traveler to a more level area; in fewer than 3 miles from the turn-off, the road reaches a small saddle.  Rising above the saddle to the east and west are three Ranked Peaks that serve as sentinels or guardians of the Pingree Park Road because they command views of the goings on below them. The sentinel east of the saddle is the lowest of the three, rising to an elevation of 8,011 peak.  The USGS has never bestowed a name on this or the other two peaks.  It’s instead referred to by its numerical elevation, as Point 8011.  West of the saddle lies Point 8632, the highest of the three; and Point 8431 rises to the northwest of the saddle.  All three provide fun hikes to their summits, with Point 8011 being by far the easiest.  Park at the saddle (N 40 40.170  W 105 30.275)

 

This cache is on the highest of the sentinels, Point 8632.  If you chase it down, be prepared for an initial “hike” that ascends fairly steep terrain above the saddle before  the gradient moderates from the top of the steep section on to the summit of this mountain.  You will gain a bit more than 1,000 feet of elevation as you attain this peak, all off-trail. Anticipate some bushwhacking. When you reach the high point, make certain to admire the views of East and West White Pine Mountains, seen favorably from this vantage.  Then turn your attention toward the high country of the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area that features Comanche Peak in the view.  Left of it are great vistas of Fall Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ramsey Peak, and Stormy Peaks, all in the northeastern part of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Come prepared with a map and have fun distinguishing these nice alpine mountains that constitute the  northwest terminus of the Mummy Range.

 

The cache is a heavy plastic facial creme jar; it’s a “small” container wrapped in camo tape.  The ground zero vicinity is about 65 feet from the summit rock cairn and Benchmark and offers a significant “vertical” challenge in terms of possible hiding locations.  Is it at the top of the rock face that constitutes the SE edge of the rock formation?  Or is it at the bottom of the face?  No rock climbing is necessary to reach either of these options.  If you venture to the coordinates from the top, be cautious as you approach the edge.

 

Have fun reaching the summit of this “sentinel”.  Enjoy searching for and finding this geocache and its special treasure–the log sheet for you to sign!