The Navigatorz

Oh hi. I didn't know you wrote. I was on Facebook.

What a great hike! March 21, 2009 Cache-cadians HOTM Photo of group at the Petroglyph

Here's a map of the March 21 hike. The track was recorded from a previous hike. Distance round trip was 3.32 miles (includes hiking to the 4 caches shown). See ya tomorrow.

Any information you could share about the hike to those caches, such as distance round trip?

Wow, April appears to be a busy month for everyone. After hearing from only 4 (including myself), the available dates are: The Navigatorz: April 11, 12, 18, 19 mmauvil: April 5, 11 g-people April 4,5,18, 19 Firenut-Hunter April 5,12,19,26 Let's wait to hear from a few more hikers, but so far the consensus is: April 5 (without me) or April 19 (without mmauvil). PS. April 5 might work for me since I will be returning from a week in Germany on April 3. Just need to get spousal approval.

By the way, somehow I got confused over which Saturday was the March hike and which Saturday I leave for Germany. I don't leave until March 28, so I will be joining the group for this Saturday's hike. Jaken and I will meet the group at the trailhead at 9:30 AM.

Any ideas for April HOTM? I looked for hikes we could do that no one from the group has already done, but without success. Here are a couple of suggestions: Three Ancient Ladies Rock Out This is about 4 miles RT in the Ancient Lakes area, but Max-X, K-Ddid, and Mr. Gadget #2 have already found this cache. Moses Stool A hike in the desert in Douglas County, about 3 miles RT. It's K-Ddid's cache and Mr. Gadget #2 has already found it too. Any other suggestions? How about dates? I could go any weekend except the first and last weekend in April.

A new hide at a lookout: It's called Aldrich Reference Mark Missing (Waypoint GC1MCDG). Its located in Area 6 of the Lookout Challenge Map, about 5 miles SW of Stevenson. Location is highlighted on the map on the cache page Here

Congratulations to K-Ddid on Find #1500!!

My trip to Germany is confirmed and I will be leaving on the 21st, so I won't make the March hike. I'll enjoy reading the logs and viewing the photos from those who go.

At this time it looks as though a business trip is developing and I may be gone the Saturday of the hike (March 21). Its ok that I miss this hike since the caches are either mine, or I have already found them. So far those who have indicated they are going on the hike are: mmauvil, Tenya, K-Ddid, and fobojo Those who indicated they might go: Barnabirdy(s), LandRover, Max-X, Mr. Gadget #2, and AndrewRJ I was going to suggest meeting at 8:00 AM at the park and ride where there is a geocache called Mugglicious N 47° 23.987 W 120° 17.140 Its about a 90 minute drive to Lenore caves so the hike would start around 9:30 to 10:00. If it turns out my trip is delayed, I'll be there for the hike. But if not, have a great time and a nice hike and I'll see you on the next hike.

After reviewing the posts and a couple of emails, it appears the date will be Saturday, March 21. Sorry Firenut-Hunter, but Saturdays work best for the majority of the group. Hopefully we can plan a HOTM hike or two this year on a day that's agreeable to everyone.

There are no plans at this time. The hike to the caches above Lake Lenore Caves would be a good HOTM season opener. Caches to find on the hike would be: Lenore Caves Cache The Land That Time Forgot The a-maze-ing Petroglyph LK Lost N Time And you're right, March is the best time to go there to avoid the critters. If I remember right, the total distance is just over 3 miles. Not a long hike, but a very interesting one through an ancient coulee. I've found those caches but would love to go again to check on my hides. Any one else interested in making this our first HOTM for 2009? Anyone want to suggest a date?

Congratulations MAX-X and on 1300.

Congratulations Patudles.

Congratulations g-people on Find #1300. Click for PHOTOS

CONGRATULATIONS to mmauvil on geocache Find #700!!!

Thanks for the info g-people. I didn't realize the Sage Hills trails were closed for 4 months during the winter. There are a few geocaches in that area from Day Drive to Horselake road that will be inaccessable during the trail closure period. It might be a good idea for those who have caches in that area to put a note on the cache page about the trail closure dates. Here is a map of the Sage Hills trail system showing the PUD and CDLT properties that will be closed:

If anyone is wondering where the smoke is coming from west of here, I was geocaching upon Burch Mountain today and saw the source. It appears to be at the upper end of Nahahum Canyon just below Chumstick Mountain, where the Nahahum Canyon road meets the Swakane Canyon Road. Its probably a prescribed burn by the F.S. because we didn't see any planes or helicopters trying to put it out. Here's a KPQ Article about the prescribed burns.

That lookout looks familiar. Congratulations on 7000 finds and thanks for choosing one of my caches for the milestone.

Due to the rest of my life getting in the way, I won't be able to do any more HOTM's this year, not to mention geocaching in general. Looking back at the last 30 days, I've only had time to find 5 caches, a record low for me. If there's interest in doing HOTM's next year, I'd be willing to help with the planning. Recapping this year's HOTM's: March: Ancient Lakes April: For the Hike of it 2 May: Horselake Mountain (Twin Peaks) June: Journey to the Center of Washington July: Wedge Mountain August: Altitude is Your Friend September: Red Top Mountain Each was a fun and memorable experience. It was great exercise, and most importantly, an opportunity to hike with some great people. Happy Geocaching! The Navigatorz

I received feedback from several regarding next months HOTM. The most preferred hikes are (in order): 1) Lake Valhalla 2) Mission Peak The most preferred day was: 1) Sunday I was hoping for a hike early in the month because of the potential for snow in the mountains, but I may not be free until mid-October due to business travel early in the month. So tentatively its looking like Sunday, October 19 and it appears that is better for a couple of others in the group. October HOTM: Lake Valhalla on October 19 (Sunday). Let's hope the snow holds off until after the 19th.

Is the group interested in one more hike for the year? I'd like to do one more before winter sets in. Here are some ideas: Mission Peak trail includes 4 caches: On Tudles Pond, Mission Peak Trail, Elk View, and A Beautiful View. 3.4 miles round trip with 1000 foot elevation gain. I've been to all 4 caches, but most in our group haven't, and I don't mind going back for the hike. Trailhead is 16 miles from Wenatchee. Lake Valhalla The drive to the trailhead on Smith Brook road is about the same distance from Wenatchee as Red Top Mountain. Lake Valhalla is located just off the Pacific Crest trail near Stevens Pass. Another nearby cache is Valhalla. I've been to Lake Valhalla several times before geocaching existed, so I'd like to go back to get these caches. Spectacular scenery. Five mile RT hike with 1000 foot elevation change. Trailhead is 56 miles from Wenatchee. Moses Stool. One cache at the end of a 3 mile RT hike with 300 foot elevation gain. The trailhead is about 24 miles from Wenatchee. Sauer Mountain. Three caches. One at the trailhead: Sauer Rock, a multi in the middle: Welcome Friends, and the one at the top called Sweet and Sauer To Go. 6 mile RT hike with 1700 ft elevation gain. The trailhead is about 20 miles from Wenatchee. Other suggestions? If we do either Mission Peak or Valhalla, I suggest we go in early October. Last year Mission Ridge got snow on October 6.

Red Top Mountain Lookout and Beyond!! Another fun and memorable HOTM. Beautiful picturesque day!!

That's ok. Sounds like the second hike may not happen anyway. Another in the group can't make it and several of us need to get back early. See you on a future HOTM hike.