GC2QZE1 Cache-a-Moose Melted
Type: Multi | Size: Regular | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: WingsAndTales @ | Hide Date: 03/24/2011 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N38° 57.266 W104° 59.023 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
     

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Bring your kids or bring your grandkids or quit pretending you're an adult and go have some fun. Sadly the "moose" was destroyed in the Waldo Canyon fire in 2012. This is now a great place to see what a fire can do to the forest and see how it recovers.

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Parking and trailhead coords are listed below. The easiest route to this cache is through Woodland Park and south on Rampart Range Road. You can come up Rampart Range Rd from the Garden of the Gods but that end of the road is rougher and winds enough that it will take you just as long as the easier route.

This is a four stage multi that takes about a 1.5 mile walk in the woods. The trail is an old road off Rampart Range Road in the area south of the Reservoir. The stages are 150-300 feet off the trail. There is a back up matchstick container at each stop in the same tree with the next set of coords.

Remember that it is slightly more uphill on the way back and you are above 9000 feet elevation. Allow plenty of time so you can enjoy it, especially if you bring little ones.

UPDATE 10/16/2014: The area has reopened and the cache is back up. The first 3 stages were mostly intact. At the second stage you will need to use the back up container hanging on the tree to get the next set of coords. Unfortunately the final was totally destroyed and the moose is no longer there. I replaced the container and moved it slightly. You might want gloves or some hand wipes at the final since there is a lot of soot.

Additional Waypoints

PK2QZE1 - Moose Parking
N 38° 57.060 W 104° 58.969

TR2QZE1 - GC2QZE1 Trailhead
N 38° 57.204 W 104° 59.067
Look for a trail sign onthe north side of the road.

10/05/2018 By LLYN-lhvwn50
It was one of those gorgeous fall days. Following the breadcrumbs made for such a nice walk, all was quiet and peaceful, and there was a smiley at the end. As a bonus, various jets (in town for the Air Force-Navy game) arrived in the area. Not an air show, but fun to watch on the way back. Thanks for the multi, WingsAndTales. Go Navy! ;)

12/10/2017 By kenyansherpa
This was an excellent multi, just as one would expect from Wings and Tales! It was extra special today since Rampart Range road is closed for the winter and I got to hike in from the gate, thus saw no one ( except some elk ) and didn't have to listen to traffic on the road. All stages are good and as others have noted, you will need to use the alternate option to get the coordinates at stage 2. IN - Olympic sponsor pin from Rio Games OUT -nothing TFTH!!

07/18/2017 By COpackrat
Enjoyed this nicely done multi and the hike to the waypoints. Thanks for the cache!

06/27/2017 By nicehice
Quick find on a nice day

06/27/2017 By jherber
TFTMC I joined nicehice this morning for a bit of caching along Rampart Range road. It is a beautiful cool sunny day.

I have been looking at this cache since before the big fire. I am happy you were able to keep it in play. The past few years my old knees have kept me from doing too much walking in the woods. After having a knee replacement last summer things are working so much better, I hope to find more if your caches.

We almost could not read the coordinates on the first sign. Upon reaching the second director we discovered the secondary container with the coords for the third director. After completing the tour, we stopped by the first director again to make sure it had a secondary director which it does so all is in good shape.

I am sorry I missed the moose, but this fine walk in the woods deserves a Favorite point.

11/02/2016 By 9-rushman&farmgirl79
The trail sign is gone but the trail is easy to spot from the road. All the waypoints are in Great shape and they are easy to find including the final. This is a FUN easy multi!! Stamped the log and we're off to the next one.[8d][8d] SL TFTC