Mine Timber Planter Series #6

This series of geocaches are located in Hotchkiss, Colorado. The posted coordinates will take you to a mine timber planter (MTP) located in the historic downtown of Hotchkiss. You will use the mine timber planter itself and/or the surrounding area to solve a puzzle. The correct solution of that puzzle will take you to the second location where the actual log is hidden.

NOTE: THE ACTUAL CACHE IS NOT HIDDEN AT THE POSTED COORDINATES

The mine timber planters are part of a larger downtown development project intended to beautify the small town of Hotchkiss. The goal is that planters will add a nice splash of color and beauty that locals and visitors alike will find appealing. Here is a brief history of the planters:

The incredibly large planters were added during the second summer of the project (2013). The wood from the planters is the same type of timbers that are used in the local coal mines. Known underground as ‘cribbing,’ the timbers are used to support the roof underground. The timbers were sawn at the local saw mill and are held together by roof bolts donated by West Elk Mine. Like the timbers, the roof bolts are also used to support the roof underground. The planters were constructed by the Hotchkiss FFA and shop students. The third summer of the project (2014) saw the addition of artwork to some of the planters by local artists. During the winter the planters sit empty, but once the warm spring weather descends, the planters are filled with beautiful flowers and even a few vegetable plants by volunteers and business owners.

Use the round plaque on the front of the MTP to solve the following puzzle:

For the North coordinate:

If the clock on the plaque reads 11:00, then the coordinates to the second location are N 38° 50.622.

If the clock on the plaque reads 12:55, then the coordinates to the second location are N 38° 47.986.

For the West coordinate:

If the animal on the plaque is considered ‘typical’ then the coordinates to the second location are W 107° 51.323.

If the animal on the plaque is considered ‘non-typical’ then the coordinates to the second location are W 107° 46.130.

Driving Directions

I have included these driving directions for convenience only. The cache could most likely be found by using these directions, but please play along by visiting the first location and solving the puzzle. From the posted coordinates, take Highway 92 West for 3.4 miles to 3100 Road. Turn right on 3100 Road and travel north for 3.2 miles to North Road. Turn left on North road and follow it West to the secondary location (follow your GPS once on North Road). The secondary location is approximately 10.6 driving miles from the first location.

Happy Hunting!

Congrats to Team kekj on the FTF!

Additional Waypoints