Getting back to things

I've finally had my schedule free up a little bit, and have been able to get back to Geocaching, Waymarking, and just generally get back outdoors.

Osprey nesting platforms near the first cache

Earlier today I decided to tackle a new Geocache series that was placed along a local bridle trail. I had been out here previously for a cache called A View With Music.  I enjoyed that cache when I did it, and was looking forward to taking a nice little hike today.  Overall the trail is in good shape and provides nice views over Alum Creek.  There are a few ravines out there.  The very first one is the most difficult, but even then it's not very bad.

A confluence of confluences

I ended up visiting the first cache a total of four times while I was out there.  The first time was to sign the logbook.  The second time was after finding the rest of the caches.  The series includes a "bonus" cache that you need to get numbers out of the other caches to piece together coordinates.  I forgot to get the number out of the first cache.  I decided to just try to figure it out when I was done with the rest of the caches.  That plan ended up not working, so I went back to look at the number.  After I got back in the Jeep, I realized a TB had dropped out of an earlier cache without me knowing it at the time.  I decided to drop it off in that first cache since it was nearby, making my third visit.  I then realized that I forgot to write down the TB number in  order to be able to log it, so a fourth trip to the cache was in order.


As I mentioned, I was unable to grab the bonus cache. When I was done I was missing one number, obviously, but it was to where I was able to piece everything together. I tried the first spot and it took me to a likely area. The problem was I didn't know for sure. In the back of my mind I was thinking, "This could be the right spot, or I could be searching for no good reason." I tried different coords, and those also took me to a reasonable area. A third set of coords didn't make sense, so I went back to the original place because it seemed the best, but I still had that doubt in the back of my mind and gave up. After I got back to the first cache, I realized that I had been in the right area. I just had no way of knowing it, and that doubt kept me
from searching too hard. That just means that I have another hike to look forward to.

Trail along the edge of Alum Creek

View Winterhawk Trail Hike in a larger map