Profiles of Greyrock Mountain--Southwestern View

CONGRATULATIONS TO Team Laxson AND Mountain Roamer FOR FTF!!

Greyrock Mountain (elevation 7,613 feet) in Larimer County has a highly distinctive profile from Interstate 25 and other eastern vantages. Its steep southern aspect shows dramatically in silhouette as seen from the east. Many admirers of this Ranked Peak do not realize that the mountain's lines from other directions are also remarkable and highly distinctive. This "Profile Series" consists of seven Traditional caches placed on Ranked Peaks that surround Greyrock Mountain, as well as a Multi-stage cache. Views of this mountain from each cache location and from the stages of the Multi are breathtaking, and each provides a special profile dimension of Greyrock. If you have as an objective finding all eight caches in this series, you will eventually view this marvelous mountain from many angles. To attain these views (as well as the treasures of the log books in all the cache containers) you will have hiked dozens of miles and have reached some remote areas. A major challenge confronting you will be discovering the most efficient approaches for accessing certain of these caches. Once you have logged all eight caches in the series, you will have satisfied the goals for a special challenge cache that I'll be establishing. Don't worry...I'll have the challenge cache in place before you reach all of the cache destinations in this "Profile Series"! So enjoy this particular profile cache, and then work at the others. Enjoy your adventures as you "Profile" Greyrock Mountain!

POINT 7180

The trail system accessing the Greyrock Mountain vicinity provides popular hiking destinations off Poudre Canyon. The trailhead is easily reached from its parking area along Colorado Highway 14, and the hike to the top of Greyrock Mountain is a relatively easy one that many families enjoy together. Several educational EarthCaches are positioned along the trail, and a multi cache and some "traditionals" are also available for serious geocachers. Each of these caches brings you through interesting terrain and provides great views of the surrounding, rugged landscape. A loop that involves two interconnecting trails (the Greyrock Meadow Trail and the Greyrock Summit Trail) permits wonderful access to these marvelous back county caches. Some of the caches require considerable bushwhacking off the trails. Depending upon your level of comfort in exploring off-trail caches, you should select those caches that are matched to your level of fitness, experience, and adventurous spirit. Once you've made your choice or choices, have fun accessing and finding the caches!

I'm using "Point 7180" to refer to the cache I've placed at the summit of Ranked Peak 7180. This peak is identified as "7180" on the Poudre Park USGS Quad and on the Trails Illustrated Map for Cache La Poudre Big Thompson. This number gives the elevation of the peak that is the first one directly south of Greyrock Meadow. To reach this point and the cache vicinity, hike up the main Summit Trail to the trail junction sign and then take the left fork on the Greyrock Meadow Trail. As you reach the approximate high point on this trail, begin bushwhacking upward and north toward Point 7180. Reaching the actual summit and the cache requires about 25 to 30 feet of Class 3 rock scrambling with reasonable but fun exposure. Remember that you will need to descend exactly as you go up, so recall the route. Once you reach the GZ area, the cache find should be easy, and the terrain is safe.

Make certain that you spend some time at the true summit of Point 7180, which is very close to the cache container. Look out in all directions and appreciate the remarkable landscapes portrayed from this vantage! Plot out in your mind (by referring to your map and your previous preparations) the approximate locations of other back country caches available to you in this marvelous area, and how you can most efficiently and safely reach them. Then descend to the trail and continue your hike. If you have time, continue north on the trail to Greyrock Meadow, and then ascend to the trail's junction with the Summit Trail. Follow the Summit Trail back to parking (or if you have time and sufficient energy, follow its spur to the summit of Greyrock Mountain!). There are other geocaches along this set of trails that can fill out your day....

Be certain that you have in your backpack extra food, water, clothing, and other provisions (including a headlamp), in the event your outing extends longer than you anticipate, or if you have an unexpected change in weather. And enjoy your hike into this great area!