Back in the 90s, when I first moved to Evergreen, an old homeless man named Walt was frequently seen about town. It had been said, "every guy in Evergreen has given ol' Walt a ride once." My turn was during a fierce spring snowstorm in 1998. I left work early in the afternoon in Golden but did not take I-70, because traffic was at a standstill. I took Highway 74 along Bear Creek instead.
Passing through Morrison, in a blinding blizzard, I barely made out a guy who looked a little like Santa Claus standing on the sidewalk with his thumb out. I pulled over and he climbed in. He told me he was originally from Texas but had been living in and around Evergreen for years, in "various places." I asked where he wanted to be dropped off in Evergreen and he asked me if I could take him to Evergreen Drug (now Evergreen Liquors).
When we got there, he told me he did not want to go in, but pulled some cash out of his grungy boot, and asked if I would take the money and buy him a suitcase of beer. I looked at the dirty bill and said "hey, its’ on me," but he insisted on paying. So, I gingerly took the $20 and got him his beer (and his change). It was still snowing hard, so I asked, "where can I drop ya?" He said Highway 73 and Brook Forest Road. I knew there was nothing there but a single residence and I doubted it was his. "Are you sure? I can take you anywhere downtown." No, that is where he wanted to be let off, so I dropped him there and watched him disappear onto a wooded path, merely a shadow behind a curtain of snow.
Years later, while geocaching (of course) I discovered this peaceful, secret little valley in Cub Creek Park. I don’t know where Walt went on that snowy evening, but this geocache location is my best guess. I like to think that this was his squat up here and imagine the tough old geezer needing nothing more than shelter, maybe a fire, and a case of beer, to get through the storm.
Here's to you, Walt. You are not forgotten!
You are looking for a camoed nut container
Additional Waypoints
P08G548 - west parking
N 39° 37.071 W 105° 19.534
P18G548 - west parking
N 39° 36.840 W 105° 19.788
Remembering Walt
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