Swank's Library

07/17/2018 By krazykatzen
Doh! I was sure that there would be a 2-track since my map showed a road and there was a cabin nearby. I walked past the little trail heading east and finally decided to just bushwhack. Stupid idea, since there were a few ravines to cross that took some energy to navigate, but still glad I did. I saw 3 chicks and a momma Dusky Grouse!!! This was the highlight of the day, and it was a wonderful day!

I found the cache easily, but the contents were mildewing and very damp. The log book was ok, but the library needed to dry out before it just turned to sludge. Those books are still readable, but in bad shape. TNLN

Passed near the cabin on the way out. It looks like the Swank kids have made a paintball fort by nailing stuff to trees in the National Forest.

03/25/2018 By Hikermama3
Found it, loved the hike. I needed it ! Tftc, thanks for bringing me back here.

12/12/2016 By Back Country Horsemen
After climbing Chitaqua & the ridge to the south I still had some time to head back here starting from the upper reservoir. I started out on a good trail watching my GPS but I must have missed an intersection because I started veering the wrong way. I found another old road that went straight up to a ridge. I was hoping there would be another old road/trail on top & sure enough there was. I had to head back a little south to pick up the old road/trail that I had originally tried to get on. But once I hit that one it was smooth sailing down to Ice Creek, across it, past the trail that leads to the Backwoods cache series which I did this summer, & on to Swanks Library. I saw the old rusted sign & went past it along the drainage until I got pretty close. After all the previous climbing that last 250' was a killer. I was thrilled when all looked good at the cache. I traded a book which was jammed in pretty tight for a miniature pair of brass candlesticks to read by candlelight. I returned part way back until I got to the intersection with the trail that comes out along the Ice Caves cache. I didn't see any fences or the house, so not a problem.

01/06/2016 By tripman1
This one has been on my list for years. Finally able to get up to this cache. Thanks for keeping it going.
View from the cache

05/24/2015 By Hybrid355
Fun hike! Difficult as I took "as the crow flies" from the Palmer Lake lower reservoir.

10/07/2014 By weblookie
Thank heavens I made it to the Library. Cool A wonderful hike, gorgeous view, a cache that should be on everyone's bucket list. Respect the private property just a spit from GZ.

06/20/2014 By estes01
Oh!!! It's not "Skank's Library." Thank goodness...I wasn't sure what kind of literature we would find! WingsAndTales has certain caches that she keeps bringing up - year after year - and this is one of them. It's good to finally get it done. And it was definitely worth doing as it was a beautiful hike with the wildflowers in full bloom. Thank you for bringing us up there.

06/20/2014 By WingsAndTales
I have been wanting to get the last few caches in this area and talked estes01 into making the trip today. It's great to see an old cache going strong. We took the trail past Cap Rock Shortcut. There has been a lot of work on that trail and the lower half is in great shape. They are still working on the upper part but I would expect it to be done soon. There was good trail until about 0.17 miles from the cache and then a bit of a bushwhack but not too bad. The coin listed in the cache is long gone but otherwise the cache is in great shape. TFTC

11/10/2013 By K Trackers
After two previous excursions along the Monument Creek Reservoir Trailhead, I decided to swing thru a try to pick up all of the nice caches in this area. This cache was originally not on my target list for the day, but I noted in the logs that it had not been found for a year; so I decided to come after it. I started the hike for the GZ from Sundance Mountain -- North Summit (GC498H7). Along the trail, I noticed a "Y" intersection between Palmer Lake Backwoods #5 (GC2X8XJ) and Scuttlebutt (Maritime History Series) (GC16TKZ) at N 39° 07.664' W 104° 56.025'. This trail looked promising, potentially allowing the opportunity to maintain the current elevation and run the ridgeline to come in from the north side and avoiding the fence line / house that Snailman 1 described in his log. Unfortunately, there is a fence line (I assume the same one) that blocks the ridgeline (see the attached map graphic). There is a secondary trail that hugs the fence and go down into a significant draw. However, I was not confident that the trail would last and the thick terrain at the bottom might offer bushwhacking. I turned around a stuck to the main trails and came at the GZ from the West. Unfortunately, I missed the trail that runs to the south of the GZ (couldn't see Snailman's photo). I proceeded a little farther north and tried to come around from the ridgeline. This route was sub-optimal as the numerous draws took additional time and energy. I finally made it to the GZ, after expending allot of additional time from the draws and exploring the blocked ridgeline to the east. The container was easy to spot, and the hide area gave the impression of being in a foxhole. The container contents are in great shape, there is still quite a library here. After rescuing a stranded TB, I replaced the container and navigated to the southern trail I had missed earlier. This is definitely the best way to get to the cache. Although I spent allot longer than I intended, it was fun navigating here and the well stocked / great shape container (especially given its age) was a treat. I was puzzled that I never saw the fence and house that Snailman found. Maybe he had come from the same ridgeline I tried? I notice the CO has not logged on for two years, but I hope he does so that he can see his cache is still doing a great job. Thanks to the CO for a nice cache!

Swank's Library Map Graphic

Ridgeline Fenceline

11/17/2012 By SnailMan1
I was walking up the trail when I ran into the fence with a nice gate with private property signs everywhere. I kept walking and too my surprise there was a house that still looks lived in on the property. There was even photo electric cells install and as I looked at the house I kept wondering how supplies get up here. There is no road. Regardless I turned and went up hill (never getting onto the private property) and made the find of a nice ammo can. Drop TB and thanks for keeping this old one alive.

Sign right before Swanks House (GC8B99)

Swanks house right below the library (GC8B99)