GC3F4FQ Shaun's Test
Type: Multi | Size: Regular | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 03/22/2012 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 36.112 W105° 04.037 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
                     

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Shaun, the “sun” part of the starnsun caching team, plans to participate in the MOGA Event in Iowa on April 28th. He asked if I would help him with mapping techniques useful for certain geocaching challenges, and he specifically requested that at the end of the training process he be given a “test” on the procedures. I suspect that Shaun expected that I’d create a “coffee table”-type test; instead, I've developed this multi-cache as the test he gets to demonstrate that he’s learned the lessons.

It’s a fun 3-Stage Multi cache that doesn’t require extensive hiking. In fact, it’s primarily urban in character, with all stages positioned within the city limits of Fort Collins. Finding the cache requires map and directional bearing work, as well as an understanding of how to plot stage coordinates accurately on a 1:24,000-scale map and how to establish accurate coordinates to enter into your GPSr for a specific point you’ve pinpointed on the map. Before you begin this quest, make certain that you have a concrete plan to deal with these issues.

As a recommendation, it’s useful to have the following items in your cache-finding “tool kit”:

1) The Fort Collins U.S.G.S. 7.5-minute quadrangle map (but see the caution about this quad that’s given at the end of this cache write-up) . Alternatively, you can use mapping software (such as National Geographic TOPO!), and print out the needed map coverage at the 1:24,000 scale. It’s important to use this scale. The mapping software can be of assistance in your calculating the position of the final stage, but for the “test” you should really do this in the field using paper maps.

2) A protractor and a ruler straightedge.

3) A UTM RetroROAMER or equivalent grid scaling tool.

In order to establish the coordinates of the Final you will need to visit the first two stages and collect needed details. Go to Stage 1 and read the information in the container carefully. Write everything down. Then find Stage 2 by using certain of the information given in the first stage as your guidance to its location. At Stage 2 write down the details provided. After the second stage, do your map work to determine the location of the Final container and go there to find its treasure–the cache log that awaits your caching signature!

Stage 1 is magnetic. Be certain to read the instructions in this stage container VERY carefully!

Stage 2 is an Rx bottle.

Stage 3 is hidden at the base of a solitary, one-of-a-kind green object in the GZ area.

Enjoy Shaun’s Test. I’m sure that Shaun will!

CAUTIONARY NOTE Because you are a geocacher, it's highly probable that you have your GPSr set to the WGS84 Datum, the standard Datum used for geocaching. Unfortunately, the USGS Fort Collins Quad sheet has not been updated--it still uses 1927 North American Datum. So if you use this quadrangle , AFTER entering the beginning cache coordinates in your GPSr, change your Datum from WGS84 to NAD27 (Central). Then complete your mapping using the UTM grid on your map (that now matches the UTM system in your GPSr). When you are finished, and the mapped UTM data are entered into you GPS unit, reset your GPS to WGS84. If you do not follow this sequence, the UTM coordinates transferred from your map to your GPSr will be incorrect.

An alternative to using the Fort Collins Quad exists. Modern mapping software such as National Geographic TOPO! have made the conversion to WGS84, so you can print out from TOPO! or another source (at 1:24,000 scale) the portion of this quad that is from College Avenue east to Sherry Drive, and from Lindenmeier Lake south to Drake Road. This will result in two 8.5 X 11-inch sheets. Make certain that you use a setting that will include a UTM grid on your prints. Cut and tape the two pages together making certain that you have careful registration/matching of the pages, and use this printout version for your mapping.

Additional Waypoints

06/14/2017 By malaika54
Found with antlerridgeroad with our chauffeur, Denali41. Nice walk to cache but hot.

06/14/2017 By antlerridgeroad
Found it with malaika54, with my brother Denali41 acting as escort and chauffeur. Left the geopooch at my brother's house on this warm afternoon. We're on a long road trip, over 5000 miles so far, and spending a couple of days with my brother and his wife. Solved this one a while ago, shortly after it was published, from home using various web tools. Glad to finally get here to make the grab.

Like ecanderson, I took the fun out of this one, in part because I didn't have access to the maps needed. However, back in 2014 when my brother was visiting us in WA for the Block Party and Going Ape events, he gave me a very nice tutorial on the use of these mapping tools, using a map for the Buckhorn Wilderness area on the Olympic Peninsula near our home. I feel confident I could do this sort of thing in the field if needed, but I much prefer working on these sorts of puzzles using the computer. I estimate that my solution put me within 5' of the solitary object shown on Google Maps satellite view.

03/13/2017 By Denali41
I recently checked on all stages. Everything is in good order and the cache awaits future finders. Stage l, although in perfect order, has been in a locality that recently has been trashed by some homeless folks. Rather than have seekers come into this messy area, I've relocated this initial stage to a new place. HighCountryAdmin has updated the coordinates.

03/13/2017 By HighCountryAdmin
N40° 36.112 W105° 04.037
Coordinates changed from:
N 40° 36.021 W 105° 4.102

Coordinates changed to:
N 40° 36.112 W 105° 4.037

Distance from original: 630.0 feet or 192.0 meters.

Updating coordinates per owner’s request.

HighCountryAdmin
Volunteer Geocache Reviewer

03/20/2016 By Denali41
N40° 36.021 W105° 04.102
Coordinates changed from:
N 40° 36.002 W 105° 04.024

Coordinates changed to:
N 40° 36.021 W 105° 04.102

Distance from original: 378.2 feet or 115.3 meters.
A recent road extension through the area has destroyed the location of the initial stage. I've replaced it at a nearby location.