Dakota Ridge # 1
A series of caches along the Dakota Ridge Trail in the Skyline Drive and Caņon City Hogbacks Open Space area. This is a relatively new trail with spectacular views in all directions. This series is not recommended for the severely acrophobic or toddlers. There are steep drop-offs, loose rocks, cacti, and the usual critters common in this area. You may see extreme mountain bikers on the trail.
The closest parking is the Skyline Drive Parking waypoint. The Dakota Ridge Trail starts there. The trail can also be accessed from the Washington Street Trailhead waypoint if you don't want to drive over Skyline Drive. You will have a longer and steeper hike from there. Take Greenhorn Trail to Old Skyline Drive Trail and follow it to the top. You can then descend via Dakota Ridge Trail.
The Hogbacks Open Space is closed from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am. Skyline Drive is closed at night and during inclement weather. Skyline Drive is a narrow one-way road with steep drop offs. It exits in Caņon City.
All the caches are near the trail. Please do not try to bushwhack directly to any of these. You will damage the fragile ecosystem and it could be dangerous.
This is a regular sized container with room for trackables and swag. There is a nice FTF prize.
Be sure and grab the clue for Dakota Ridge # 4
Additional Waypoints
PA6VVG8 - Skyline Drive Parking
N 38° 27.707 W 105° 15.090
Parking on Skyline Drive. Dakota Ridge Trail starts here.
PK6VVG8 - Washington Street Trailhead Parking
N 38° 28.151 W 105° 14.961
Alternate parking. Park here if you don't want to drive over Skyline Drive. You will have a longer and steeper hike from here.
SD6VVG8 - Skyline Drive Entrance
N 38° 28.357 W 105° 15.487
Entrance to Skyline Drive, a narrow one-way road with steep drop offs and sharp turns.
Dakota Ridge # 1
| Difficulty: 
| Terrain: 
8 
2