CONGRATULATIONS TO akabumper FOR FTF!!
If you are after a challenging mountain geocache, this one might capture your attention! Deer Ridge towers above North St. Vrain Creek, forming the northern border of the creek’s spectacular canyon for approximately 3 miles. The rise at the eastern end of the ridge has an elevation of approximately 8,700 feet and is the highest point of the entire ridge except for the unofficially named “Popeye Peak” located at the ridge’s west end. Because of a major saddle between these high points, “Popeye” is officially viewed as a separate mountain from Deer Ridge; “Popeye” and the 8,700-foot point are treated as two separate Ranked Peaks.
Deer Ridge sports several elevated points along its reach, and what I’ll call here “The Tallest Deer” is the eastern one, the rounded projection at 8,700 feet. You’ll need to reach it in order to snag this cache. The Tallest Deer commands remarkable, close-up views of the precipitous canyon of North St. Vrain Creek as well as of the serious terrain associated with several nearby mountains and of the high peaks of Wild Basin and the northern portions of Indian Peaks Wilderness. You won’t forget this position, once you’ve been to it!
A summit cairn and register are located at this 8,700-foot highpoint. Don’t confuse this register with the cache you’ve come to find. The cache is located east of the summit cairn. Your challenge is one of mapping out an optimal approach route to The Tallest Deer and then making your approach. Your route might require fording Cow Creek or making an even more serious crossing of North St. Vrain Creek. You decide. You’ll certainly be confronted with some bushwhacking chores! There is no doubt that you will earn every one of the 5 stars of the Terrain rating on this cache. Once you reach the summit cairn vicinity, finding the cache container should be a slam dunk. That’s why it’s given only a 1.5-star Difficulty rating. A 1.5/5 D/T rating’s an “interesting” one, isn’t it... Interested?
Be certain to take plenty of food, water, and extra clothing. Go with a partner, and leave information with someone who is not with you about your destination and probable route. Enjoy this one!
The Tallest Deer
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