Colorado College Tour A

This is a short walking tour of Colorado College, highlighting some hidden locations that might not be obvious to a casual visitor. Location was updated slightly, and cache contents restored, June 7, 2012.

Welcome to Multicache Tour A of Colorado College. I’ve designed this six-stop tour to show you a few of my semi-secret highlights of this campus gem.
Founded in 1874, it’s ranked in the top 25 schools in the country for what it does --- give a liberal arts education via small classes from a well-rounded curriculum to undergraduate students. And it does so in a creative manner, teaching students one course at a time in highly personal, intensive learning environments.
Free visitor parking is available during school vacations in the lot at N 38°51.014 W 104°49.401. Otherwise, there is pay parking in the same lot (or free parking on adjacent streets). There’s some walking involved on this tour, but you shouldn’t need to move your car unless you want to take it to the final clue, which is still walkable. This caching tour is not organized by the College, but is placed with their permission.
1. Start your tour at N 38°50.957 W 104°49.393. Look east to see the Tutt Science Center across the lawn, the first LEED-certified (eco-friendly) science center in the nation. No need to walk over, unless you feel the need. Just thought you should see it. Use the information you see at your current location to find the south door (also the main door) to Palmer Hall. This is where CC’s world-class social science departments are located. Once there, use the engraved text over the entry and the bronzed plaque on the wall. As always, translate text on signage as a=1, b=2, etc. (so that, for example, Colorado = 3+15+12+15+18+1+4+15). A = sum of letter values for last word engraved over the doorway, minus one (written as a three-digit number) B = sum of letter values for the 8th word on the bronzed plaque, times 6, plus 45.
Your next clue is at N 38°51.A W 104°49.B 2. You’ll walk past the main library and health center in order to get here. These are the language houses on campus, where students live to be immersed in a particular culture and language. Interestingly, the lily pond and pagoda are not behind the house that you think they would be. Check out the cool second-floor breezeway as well. C = sum of letter values in the first name of Russian House, plus the number address of the same building, minus 432 D = sum of letter values in the first name of Italian House, plus the sum of letter values in the first name of Japanese/Chinese House, times 4, minus 39
Your next clue is at N 38°50.C W 104°49.D 3. Did you notice the sculpture made of tree branches on the northeast side of the corner you just passed? If not, go back and visit. The odor as the branches decompose is really quite exotic. You are now at the newest building on campus (also LEED-certified, incidentally), hosting theatrical, musical and social events for the campus and community. Come in to visit the IDEA Space art exhibits or multi-level blackboard if you wish. E = address of this building plus the square of (the number of letters engraved on the north wall) F = sum of letter values in last word on engraving, times 9, plus 30
Your next clue is at N 38°50.E W 104°49.F 4. Hope you walked along the other side of the street this time, so that you saw both the academic quad (embraced by Palmer Hall and the library on the north side) and the social side of the quad (the Worner student center and our oldest building, Cutler Hall, on the west side of the street). You are now in McHugh Plaza, enjoying the view of some of our athletic fields and the view enjoyed by upper-class students living in the apartments around you. You are looking for the clue to take you to your last location, and you may consider taking your vehicle to this one. G = the year in which tuition was $1 per week, minus 1855 (expressed as a three digit value) H = the year in which Harvard and CC trade professors, minus 1121
Your last clue is at N 38°51.G W 104°49.H 5. You are now at the home of the Campus Physical Plant. The building used to be owned by the Van Briggle pottery company, as the sign testifies. Use the information on the sign to get your last clue. Be sure to look east across Monument Creek to see the view of campus from this angle. I = year on benefactors sign J = address of Facilities Services, minus number of benefactors listed
The final cache is at N 38°51.(A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H-I-[2 times J]) W 104°49.(F+G+H+I+J-[2 times A]–B-C-D-[2 times E]-13). Express each expression in the final coordinate pair as a three-digit number, of course. The cache is a 3-inch diameter plastic container covered in black tape. No need to disturb flowers or any landscaping, but do look at ground level. I’ve ensured that it is intact, replaced on June 7, 2012.

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

If you enjoyed the tour, let me know. And there’s a Multicache Tour B available too, if you wish. Congrats to Happy Meadow on a very quick (and insightful) FTF.

Additional Waypoints