GC2KH12 Traditional Cache Profiles of Greyrock Mountain--Eastern View
Type: Traditional | Size: Small Small | Difficulty: 2 out of 5 | Terrain: 4 out of 5
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 12/21/2010 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 43.022 W105° 17.511 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
Dogs  Takes more than an hour  Scenic view  Significant hike  No Bicycles  No Quads  No Off-road vehicles  No Horses  Long Hike (+10km) 

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-staged 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!

"EAST RIDGE OF GREYROCK MOUNTAIN"

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 "East Ridge of Greyrock Mountain" to refer to the cache I've placed a little more than 500 feet east of the actual summit of Greyrock. From near the cache, you will have a close-up view of the east side of the summit block of the mountain. To reach the cache vicinity, leave the trail and scramble over easy slabs. It's probably unwise to do this if the slabs are covered with snow. Use good judgement. Once you are in the GZ area, the cache container should be fairly easy to find, and the terrain is safe unless you venture 10 or 15 feet farther east. After finding and signing the cache log, descend the short distance back to the faint but well-cairned trail and continue following it to the true summit of Greyrock Mountain. Have lunch in the summit vicinity, and gaze out at the fantastic terrain and peaks around you. Greyrock Mountain is located on the Poudre Park 7.5-minute USGS Quad. This specific Quad has 25 Ranked Peaks within its boundaries. Only two other quadrangle sheets in Colorado contain more Ranked Peaks than does the Poudre Park Quad. Appreciate the overall ruggedness of the landscapes around you, and your "position" on this fine summit!

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. I placed this cache on the day of the Winter Solstice while a winter storm was raging just west of the Greyrock Mountain area. Highway 14 was closed farther up the canyon because of heavy, drifting snow. Although the weather on Greyrock was relatively benign, it could have changed rapidly under these conditions. Always come to the mountains prepared for the unexpected. Enjoy your hike into this great area!

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5 Logs: Found it 5  

Found it 05/27/2018 By kauf
#957
Found during a vacation to the FoCo area - in addition to geocaching, Boyfriend and I hiked Greyrock Mountain! Hiking at elevation was tough, and I had a scare on our way back down, as I almost stepped on a rattlesnake! Good thing there was a bit of an adrenaline rush, and luckily the snake was pointed the other way... allowed me to be able to scurry down the trail. After making our way back down the mountain, I bought myself a beer. Here’s to being able to cache another day! TFTC!

Found it 03/31/2018 By waawhoo
Spent the day hiking up here Pixel Magic and Barasaur to grab a few earth and regular caches. Realy enjoyed the day up here. We covered close to 10 miles and about 8 hours on our trip up here just taking in all the scenery. Thanks Denali4 for the great hide!

Found it 03/31/2018 By Barasaur
Went for a hike with Pixel Magic and Waawhoo around Gray Rock. Had a great day hiking with slightly cloudy skies and around 50 degrees. We covered around 10 miles in our cache hunting with over 3000 feet elevation gain throughout our hike. Thanks for the fun day walking around in the mountains.

(9895)

Found it 03/26/2018 By Desert Rogue
Tftc, always glad to find caches with summits! Luckily this one had a pen in it Wink

Found it 08/14/2017 By markwyoming
My seven-year-old son and I looked for quite a long time for this "easy find". I finally threw in the towel and then he says "I got it". Looking back it actually was pretty easy,daddy just wasn't paying attention I guess.