GCPEQG The Dragon at Castle Gardens
Type: Traditional | Size: Regular | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: lambclan @ | Hide Date: 06/25/2005 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N38° 30.068 W105° 58.566 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 4

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The cache is located about .8 miles from the trailhead with a 200 foot elevation gain. The name of this area, Castle Gardens, is a local name due to the interesting rock formations and erosion patterns.

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The trailhead for this hike is located about 1 mile east of the Salida city limit sign on highway 50. You can park in the parking lot for the Living Waters Ministries Assembly of God church on the south side of the highway. The trailhead is found near the south corner of the parking area (coordinates are N38 30.572 W105 58.441). From the parking area, follow the trail which initially runs parallel to a dry stream bed and later crosses it. There are many trails in the area due to mountain bike and ATV users. When you get close to the cache location, you will leave the stream bed and climb up toward the "dragon head" on the west side of the stream (check out the picture).
The cache is in an ammo box containing a police car, dalmatian car, princess doll, wooden car, Hawaii book of stickers, mini fire truck, Mr. Potatohead on a skateboard, splash ball, and the 'Watching for a Water Spout' travel bug.

06/23/2019 By Jenfoyle
Beautiful day for a hike. TFTC!

05/18/2019 By TubaBaboon
TFTC! We took a nap in the sun after finding the cache!

09/30/2018 By Mamane
Wunderbare Runde mit unseren Ridgebacks gedreht und dabei nette Cashs eingesammelt.

03/13/2018 By StoneSense
Dropped a travel bug on my last visit.

03/04/2018 By StoneSense
Nice hike, cool geology! Left SS sticker, jumping bean AND TB (WOHEVR) destined for Portland; Powell's Books. Took small blue dinosaur,

12/27/2017 By ArkF
Thanks for the nice cache in a nice area. Found this one after the bonsai cache. Saw some fresh footprints on the way to the cache and there was a fresh signature just before ours, so we weren't the only finders today. Found with family from Howard.

Wasn't sure which rock was the dragon while we were there, saw two possibilities. Had fun either way. Went back a different route then we came up for variety.

05/13/2017 By Riley Bartuska
Cool spot and we had a lot of fun finding it!

05/03/2017 By fishnbum
Neat area!  Thanks for cache and a new location to take a hike.   Went out with a couple I've known for years, meet them as we camp out nearby for spring/fall fishing.  We went several days ago to scope out this new hiking area.  Went back with GPS for the cache.  A steep climb, but took the path going down.

10/21/2016 By Wild Columbines
Another neat hide in Castle Gardens on a beautiful day! The rock formations are really cool. Thanks for bringing us here.

10/21/2016 By Colorado Columbines
Great great place!!! What adventures to be had in Castle Gardens. Leaving a hiker bunny TB.

07/23/2016 By Outdoor Lover
TFTC nice hike

07/13/2016 By ibgpin
After finding Natural Bonsai in Castle Gardens we continued up the trail, which had a lot of ups and downs. Once at GZ we saw we could head downhill and follow the wash back to the parking lot. The container was laying out in the open, but in great shape, covered it up and put it back where I think it came from. TFTC

06/12/2016 By BoogerBears
Found it