NOTE!! TO PROTECT NESTING RAPTORS, THERE IS NO ACCESS ALLOWED TO THE
RABBIT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT AREA BETWEEN DECEMBER 15 AND JULY 31st. The
cache is located in this seasonally-restricted area, so be aware of the
date limitations.
This is a “reward cache” in a sense. Why? In the past, caches
placed in Boulder County Open Spaces had significant physical and procedural
criteria that needed to be satisfied. These stipulations have been
removed because of very positive interactions that evolved between Open
Space personnel and the geocaching community. Years ago, Team Laxson
began annual or twice annual CITO events on Open Space lands, each event
planned in close conjunction with Open Space administrators. Open Space
personnel worked hand-in-hand with involved geocachers, accomplishing
significant cleanups and working on other Open Space priorities on many of
the county’s protected properties. After several years of these
well-attended cooperative events, Boulder County recognized Team Laxson,
as representing the entire geocaching community, by presenting Chris
Laxson with the county’s top annual Open Space award. Recently, the county
also rescinded the previous restrictions that had been placed on
geocaches – that is, the previous requirements for obtaining a permit
for the cache prior to review; the requirement that a cache’s permit
expired after 1 year; the requirement that a cache needed to be located
within a few feet of a maintained trail; and the requirement that the
cache needed to be regular or larger in size.
Because of Boulder County’s current feelings about geocachers (and
geocaching) after the tremendous CITO responses to Open Space needs,
we’ve all been “rewarded” by the removal of these former restrictions.
Thank you, Team Laxson, for spearheading efforts that led to some
wonderful CITO experiences for cachers, and to Boulder County’s positive
responses to these efforts. True “rewards”, indeed!
Years ago, being naïve to the requirements then in place, I hid a cache at
the summit of Rabbit Mountain named The Rabbit Warren, and submitted
it for review. It was of course rejected by Alpine Reviewer because it
violated the county's guidelines that were in effect at that time. So I made a
second hike to the top and removed the cache.
Today I returned for a third hike up this nice peak
and hid the cache in the same location. This time it's a valid hide!
So... Find the rabbit “warren” by taking a fun hike to the summit of
Rabbit Mountain. It’s about 5 miles roundtrip from the parking
coordinates, involving about 650 feet of gentle elevation gain. The
rocky outcrop at the top affords marvelous views of the high mountains of
Indian Peaks Wilderness and the southern peaks of Rocky Mountain
National Park. Most of the hike involves following a well-maintained
trail system. Very limited, easy bushwacking is necessary near the top
in order to reach the cache location.
Take the family and enjoy a lunch at the top as you admire the
scenery and ponder the precise location of the cache. The container is
small, wrapped in black tape, and has room for the log paper plus some
small trackables. Look for the sizable slot (the “warren”) just north of the
summit; drop into it and begin exploring for the cache. Make certain
you replace it exactly as you found it and cover it carefully. Have fun!!
Additional Waypoints
P08159B - Parking
N 40° 14.790 W 105° 13.460
Parking at Trailhead
The Rabbit Warren--A Tribute to Team Laxson
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