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Altitude: m. ASL.
Region:
United States > Idaho
Cache type: Traditional
Size: Regular
Status:
Ready for Search
Date hidden: 2006-08-14
Date created: 2010-10-14
Date published: 2010-10-14
Last modification: 2010-10-15 
538 visitors 
1 x rated 
Rated as: n/a
Cache attributes
Description
EN
View from near the cache on an unnamed peak between Lake Estelle (above left) and Gem Lake (above right).
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This Cache is located on the top of a ridge peak between Gem Lake and Lake Estelle. To start off with, this is not an "easy" cache. Between the scramble over a talus slope and slippery bear grass on a 40 degree slope to the hike up the final ridge, it's an adventure. To get to the Cache site, travel 16 miles up Trestle Creek Road 275 to Lightning Creek Road 419; turn north and go ¾ mile to the trailhead for Gem Lake Trail No. 554. Hike up the Gem Lake Trail for 1-1/2 miles until you get to Gem Lake. The trail section (up to Gem Lake) is in fine shape. The rest of it is, well, you get to find your own "path." On the eastern side of the lake at the swampy area, follow the talus slope on the southerly hill up to the "saddle" (48 22.692, 116 07.600) - then follow the ridge to the cache site. I don't recommend a "straight-shot" from the lake up through the brush, as it's a bit "discouraging" at times, if you know what I mean. An alternate route for this Cache is to turn off on Moose Creek Road 1022 right before the Gem Lake trailhead. Follow this out to the Moose Lake trail 237 trailhead. Hike out to the Lake Estelle Trail 36, and then follow this to Lake Estelle. Then bushwhack up to the Saddle, follow the ridge up to the Cache. This route is a little flatter (though about twice as long) on the lower section, but about the same elevation gain above the lake. One other warning: If you are skittish about hiking in Grizzly/Black bear country, you may want to skip this hike. On my way up the very steep slope I saw a very, very large, very round, dirty-blonde bear's rear end for a few seconds before a large head looked back at me. Then he quickly disappeared up toward the ridge. There have been grizzly sightings here (there used to be a laminated "grizzly sighted" sign at the trailhead, but it's gone now), and I’ve seen a few others a bit farther northeast years ago. This cache used to be listed at Groundspeak, but I moved it exclusively over here for Idaho's first OpenCache (I also have a Terracache a bit down the ridge). I recommend this hike for those of you who like to get off trail every once in a while and go where a lot of people don't. I Really suggest reading the hint. It would be a shame to get all the way to this cache and not find it. |
Additional waypoints
| Symbol | Type | Coordinates | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Parking area | --- | Trailhead / Parking Area |
|
Interesting place | --- | The "Saddle" |
Additional hints
Log entries:
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