Mt. Zion Summit Cache - 7059' elevation
This cache sits at the top of Mt. Zion, a peak easily visible from Golden due to the giant 'M' placed by School of Mines in 1908. Access to this cache is ONLY avaliable from the Windy Saddle Trailhead, marked in waypoints. The trail to the summit can be found here.
Mount Zion with paragliders
Less traveled than neighboring peaks Colorow Hill and Lookout Mountain, Mt. Zion (7059') has much better views and is a popular spot for hang gliders, paragliders, and hikers alike. At 1.3 miles round trip, this is the ideal hike to get great views of the Rockies without going too far from Denver or Boulder. You can also add on a side trip to the summits of Lookout Mountain and Colorow Hill + Boettcher Mansion as there are well established trails that spur from the trailhead. Continue east from the summit to an unnamed sub-peak with a wind catcher at the top to get a good view of the iconic "M" that Mt. Zion and Golden is known for. Note that, like all Denver Mountain Parks, Windy Saddle Park does not allow for overnight camping and is open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, it is also mandatory to wear a face covering while nearby other hikers while in the park.
You are looking for a regular sized ammo can. Please do not remove the cache from its location. Inside is a large logbook, a sign to hold up for a photo at the summit, and of course, lots of swag! Plenty of room for trackables and coins.
Have fun enjoying the views!
How To Find:
The cache is a large, metal ammo can located near the USGS summit markers of Mount Zion. First, locate the crag in the rocks below, and move around the rock slab, as it can be slippery in winter/rainy conditions. Moving left is a safer and overall better way to go.
After locating this area, simply manuver down and look into the crag. The cache should become visible. Please do not remove the cache from this location and put it back exactly as you found it!
And thats it! Happy finding, and have fun!!
Additional Waypoints
019884E - Parking
N 39° 44.216 W 105° 14.726
The trail from the Windy Saddle trailhead & park is the only way to make it to the summit. There isn't a lot of parking, but most people here just stop by for a quick photo, and you should be able to find a spot within a few minutes. The hike shouldn't take more than an hour round trip.
029884E - Parking
N 39° 44.623 W 105° 14.513
Mount Zion Summit Cache
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