Epic Snowshoe Caches?

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:45 am

The group outing Snowshoe to Eagle Source was such a great time that we all discussed the possibility of doing more. It was our second group snowshoe that we'd set up and we have thought about making it an annual tradition. However, we decided that winter is rather long, and the group snowshoe rather a fun way to get outside, meet other cachers, and find some of those caches that- because of terrain- are actually more fun to find in the winter.

So, I've been looking for more with the idea that perhaps we- or perhaps someone else inspired by reading this thread- could set up another group snowshoe yet this winter. These are the two we've already done:

Marsh to the Philippine Islands

Eagle Source

What we're looking for would be:

1. A significant hike in- .5-1.5 miles one way.
2. A container that makes a winter find possible (even better probable).
3. A parking area where a half dozen cars can park and we can cook out without creating too much interest in what we're doing.
4. The ultimate would be like the two examples- more fun to visit in winter than in summer.

Here are a couple that I've come up with:

Saddle Mound
(Perhaps dangerous in winter- container not winter findable?)
The Legend of Navarino Bob
(Maybe too easy in the winter?)
Live It Up
(Perhaps not reachable as the roads may be snowmobile trails in the winter?)
The Return of 2_Stand's Saddleview Knob
(Also perhaps too far back without a snowmobile?)

Any comments, ideas, or suggestions appreciated!

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:56 am

Aren't there some in the Mead Wildlife Area? I also saw some that jenhen did the other day over near Rice Lake.....a three mile snowshoe along the IAT over there. Hemlock Dam or something like that.

We'd be up for this, weather permitting of course.

Saddle Mound on snowshoes? No way! Well, maybe, but make sure you have claws on them. We did it in the fall.

This is one that has had me intrigued and looks like it's better in winter
Beaver Land GCQFJE

Wet Maze GCB9A8 Marc brought this one to my attention the other day in his "watching" thread.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3259

Navarino Bob, which we adopted, offers the parking you need and all the find-it-in-winter attributes, although I'm not sure about the cooking part. However, I would say that this would be right on the lower edge of your distance/difficulty cutoff--a worthy cache to do but not an epic adventure.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:53 am

Zoma's Golden Cache:The GrandDaddy of Caches- GC1F9RJ

BOOKMARK LIST

Now this would be a heck of snowshoe outing. A series of 15 caches. I would gladly host an outing and even act as a tour guide. But,I'm to start a new job Monday and have no clue yet as to what kind of work schedule will be. And a few are on the Lonely Cache list.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:03 pm

Thanks for the replies. It looks like there is a long way road leading directly to Saddle Mound? Thought that may provide a reasonable route on snowshoes?

I like the looks of Wet Maze particularly. Great location, and it looks like it's a great winter cache.

There are some in the Mead. This one is a good hike and the area is interesting. The Battle of Smoky Hill. The first waypoint is winter unfriendly, but as I've already done this cache myself I could act as guide. I don't mind that. I'd already found Marsh to the Philippines before we did that one as a group. However, TBC would probably not participate if we went for that one. Shocked

Cheezehead- I think a series of 15 caches in one day on snowshoes would leave some folks wounded and dying along the trail (probably myself included)!

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:50 pm

While the cache at Saddle Mound may be accessible in Winter, the trip up to it would be a bit hazardous IMHO. The trail leading to it is, if I remember, uneven terrain and a tumble from the path could ruin the day.
I did not take the path when I assaulted the mountain and that "path" was only suitable for a mountain goat. Of course if you have ropes and other mountainclimbing gear...... those Ice axes would come in handy.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:44 pm

For Wet Maze, there is a church parking lot near the access road. The road is closed in winter, but with light snow cover, you can get to the parking area .5 miles east.
But snowshoeing down the road, and then through the cattails, would make for about 2 hours, from the church lot. There are also many caches nearby, for those up to grabbing some more. Our Hand to Mouth series of 8 caches can be done by snowshoe as well, on the nearby rails-to-trails.
(I tried snowshoeing through cattails once...
I took them off and walked out!)
Wet Maze IS an older cache placement, and the safest approach is in winter. Finding the right deer trail is the challenge!

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:05 pm

GCKAKX

Snowshoe trail to and from. About 3 miles RT. Ammo box.

Huge parking lot. Can cook there.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-02-03 Posts: 2182

I would definitely interested in Wet Maze or anything in that area. Eagle Source was a little far even though after looking at the pictures I missed a great outing. I'm getting a little bored with numbers now and adventures are much more appealing. Our last two adventures were snowy outings with the grandkids. We found 10 with them last saturday and 14 on Monday. We'' miss them when the go back to school next week.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:29 pm

Ya, but they are in a general area and local cacher and their kids found 1/2 them last week. If you know what trails to take, they are not all that hard to to get to.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 5:36 pm

WE did the original Saddle View Knob in the winter on snowshoe and would enjoy doing the retun of it with a group. There is not a plowed road back there, but there is a snowmobile trail part way in.

End of the Earth was a great snowshoe hike also.

We have done a handful on snowshoes and need to look at our notes to come up with a few more.
TE

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:42 pm

Yes, I definitely would not try the direct Indiana Jones route to Saddle Mound on snowshoes. It is very steep, and worse, rocky (snowshoe damage possible!). The Marcus Brody route is doable, but you'd have to do some digging in the snow at the top to come up with the find.

In that same general area, I think Logging Railroad Cache 2 (GCZ982) and VRR #2 Wangreen Hill (GC16W9H) would be fun on snowshoes but maybe not "epic". Or some others in the Black River SF, like Wildcat's Revenge (GC53D7)? Not sure how well some of the rural roads in this area are maintained in winter though.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:16 pm

marc_54140 wrote:

GCKAKX

Snowshoe trail to and from. About 3 miles RT. Ammo box.

Huge parking lot. Can cook there.

But you disabled it last month...

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:34 pm

labrat_wr wrote:

marc_54140 wrote:

GCKAKX

Snowshoe trail to and from. About 3 miles RT. Ammo box.

Huge parking lot. Can cook there.

But you disabled it last month...

So, what's your point ? Cool

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:31 pm

Tim, this is one I've been thinking on for a while: GC1G4QP. About 3 miles on snowshoes, and the prerequisite terrain and scenic beauty. All we need are a few more victims, ah, er... volunteers Wink

. I know Benny wouldn't mind a rematch. Takers?