GC2BHBT Surprise Pond
Type: Traditional | Size: Small | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 07/07/2010 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 14.994 W105° 21.681 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
         

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CONGRATULATIONS TO cameltrekor FOR FTF!!

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I recall in some detail my first hike up to Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes in Grand Teton National Park. It was many years ago, and I had already climbed many of the mountains in the Teton Range but had never hiked up this particular trail before. Even though I knew that I’d soon be reaching Surprise Lake, I was still “surprised” when I came around a bend and the lake suddenly, almost magically, appeared before me. It had been hidden by terrain and forests. But in an instant, there it was. So imagine how I felt today, when I hiked up the faint trail that provided my puppy Teewinot and me access to Peak 7790 (a fairly remote peak I've wanted to climb that’s barely in northern Boulder County and accessible from the highway that traverses southern Larimer County), and unexpectedly came on a fairy large pond that is not shown on any maps! I mean this pond is pretty large, and I had no idea it was there! Surprised? Yes!

As my puppy Teewinot and I climbed up to the highest point on the nearby ranked peak, I kept thinking about this surprise pond. It needed a nearby cache, so others could be lured up the mountain to this location to also be surprised. That was the genesis of this cache, and it’s now nicely positioned. The rest is up to you. Consider hiking in to this lovely location. Be surprised by the pond. Find the cache. It’s located west of the pond a short distance from the trail, near the base of a rock formation; it’s tucked under a rock and under sticks below a large Englemann Spruce tree. You should have no difficulty locating the container.

And on the hike in, or as you go out, find the cache “This Button Rocks!” (GC2BCW0). Snag them both on the same hike so you can double dip on your effort. It’s guaranteed to satisfy you, and it might really surprise you, too. The round trip effort to realize both of these caches is about 9 miles, and involves about 2,300 feet of cumulative elevation gain. Plan to take a day to make this enjoyable hike for the caches, and also plan to scamper up to the top of the two ranked peaks as you find the caches. Enjoy!

09/18/2016 By Barngineer
I had made a feeble attempt to find this cache last winter, but was turned back by deep snow and nearby gunfire (they weren't shooting at me, but they weren't aware of my presence either, so the prudent move was to turn around and whistle loudly on my way out). Anyway, today's weather was much nicer and the trail was dry the whole way there. Unfortunately, the pond itself was also dry, but the hike was beautiful and definitely worth the effort. I could see the big buildings and the haze of Denver from the outlook near the pond. Thanks Denali41 for giving me another reason to hit the trail and lose myself in the woods for a while!

07/09/2016 By nickgatt
@18:54:00 #25943 I left my car at the trailhead at noon and found the cache almost 7 hours later. I used the waypoints I created 5 years ago when I found Button Rock. Unfortunately, my waypoints weren't on the trail. On the way back, I found the trail and took it back to my car in 3 hours. I've never been a fast hiker, but I was determined to finish. 4th finder in 6 years! TFTC

05/20/2016 By RDAD
CNC and I hiked over from Button Rock Mountain and when we started hearing strange noises, we knew we must be close. So I took a look at the gps and it showed the cache about 20 feet away. Found it in good condition with the coords right on. We TNLN and signed the log, then walked around the rocks for the surprise. A very nice large pond with an unbelievable number of frogs croaking. The pond was sure an unexpected surprise even though we expected it! We continued on to the 7790 point for more great views.

Many thanks for this cache placement in a location that we probably otherwise never would have visited or even known about! We had a great day hiking up here.

08/03/2013 By icezebra11
This cache sure was full of surprises today. First, it was surprising it had been nearly 3 years since anyone logged this one. So it was a little surprising that the container was in great shape in its hiding spot. I was surprised at how far off the trail I had to go to get this one too. The pond was of course a surprise considering the location. And surprisingly I saw exactly ZERO people on the hike today. But I will have to say, the biggest surprise on the hike was the 3-1/2 foot snake I almost stepped on! Fortunately it was a bull snake and not a rattler. So all-in-all it was a surprising hike. But then again it's a Denali41 backcountry cache so I shouldn't be surprised!

02/19/2011 By nickgatt
Hiked more than halfway, but turned around. Will try again another time!