Near the Boundary--La Garita Wilderness Area

Wilderness -- "an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain ... an area protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions." —The Wilderness Act of 1964

The Cebolla Trailhead that allows access for hiking routes on the north of Stewart Peak (13,983 feet) is at 11,500 feet where Forest Service Road 790 crosses the East Fork of Los Pinos Creek. Small pull-offs allow parking of several vehicles at this point; here, the creek cascades down from the south, providing a wonderful sound and sight environmental backdrop to this special place.

Soon after starting up the trail from this parking location the wilderness area sign is encountered. The actual wilderness boundary is well beyond this sign, but to ensure that the cache was placed outside the wilderness area I retraced my route back toward the parking vicinity. The cache is a large-sized medicine pill bottle that's wrapped in camo tape. I positioned it on the creek side of an aged root mass and concealed it with several strips of dried wood that had broken loose from the outer wrapping of a nearby dead log. This concealing material differs somewhat in texture and appearance from the root complex, and should make finding the cache relatively easy. Please carefully re-position this covering material after you've replaced the container in its hiding location. You will need to bring a pen or pencil for your log signing ceremony! Enjoy this special location.

From the cache vicinity, the trail ascends through lovely coniferous forests and soon enters the alpine habitats above treeline. At timberline, the rolling willow and sedge-covered alpine tundra rises on to the open slopes of Baldy Chato (13,401 feet). Stewart Peak, the second-highest 13er in Colorado, is hidden behind Baldy Chato's eastern ridge. If you have time, hike to the summit of Baldy Chato and witness the superb views to the south, taking in Stewart Peak and San Luis Peak, the 14er that reigns over the La Garita Range. This hike will complement and enhance the satisfaction you experienced from finding a cache that's "Near the Boundary"!

CONGRATULATIONS TO two much fun FOR THE FTF!!