The Colorado Thread

[+RocketMan]

Dave, love this shot. You almost got the rule-of-thirds right with the horizon. Close but no cigar.

 

 

Thanks Harmon. That looks like a nice enhancement there. Rule of thirds? I just look at the back of the camera and when the picture looks nice, I push the button. Is there more to it than that?

[+SD Rowdies]

Dave, love this shot. You almost got the rule-of-thirds right with the horizon. Close but no cigar.

 

 

Thanks Harmon. That looks like a nice enhancement there. Rule of thirds? I just look at the back of the camera and when the picture looks nice, I push the button. Is there more to it than that?

No Dave, you are getting the full-measure of pleasure just as it is. All the rest is a lot of technicalities that don't matter much except to 'shoppers.

[+RocketMan]

Before leaving Glenwood Springs today, Mrs. RocketMan and I joined up with Team Laxson and did the hanging lake hike.

 

(More Photos at link above)

Edited June 4, 2007 by RocketMan

[+Let's Look Over Thayer]

Rule of thirds? I just look at the back of the camera and when the picture looks nice, I push the button. Is there more to it than that?

As I remember it, the Rule of Thirds means that you need to drink one third of your glass/can/bottle of beer between each shot...

 

(This might explain why my horizons are rarely horizontal...)

[+zoltig]

Whilst I was out this weekend doing some 4x4 exploring.

This was between cloud bursts during the daylight hours

 

 

Old Mine

 

 

Great Colorado sunset

 

 

 

Just thought I would share these with you.

I love broadband!

[+RocketMan]

Whilst I was out this weekend doing some 4x4 exploring.

 

Old Mine

 

Those are some nice shots Zoltig. And I love exploring old mining equipment/buildings/cabins in the woods.

[+Homer's Pack]

Hello from Homer's Pack! We're new to geo-caching, and so far we are hooked! We found our first cache up at State Mountain State Park in Gould. It is absolutely beautiful up there. We're hoping for a chance to get up there later this summer to grab the other 7, and to do some 4x4 driving.

 

Just wanted to introduce our selves. We plan on attending the pizza portion of the 4x4 run next weekend, so we hope to meet many of you there!

[+zoltig]

Hello from Homer's Pack! <snip>

Hello and glad to have you on board, HP!

If you have questions or comments and suggestions, we'll have no problem laughing at a newby!!

Just kidding, of course. You will find tha cachers are a helpfull crew of people and that this is a game or hobby that you will enjoy.

[9point0]

Hi everyone!

 

My name (as it clearly states to the left)is 9point0. Of course, that is not my real name, as I expect that RocketMan is not actually RocketMan's given name. Like most people, it is a code name. Lets see, what was the point of posting here...? *looks down thinking. Sighs.* Well, I may be new on the forum, but I am not new to Geocaching. I have been doing it for a while, though I am doing it a lot right now. My Geocaching team consists of me, my brother, and my mom and or dad. I am only 12 years old, and I enjoy mid-level terrain caches to low ones. I like doing urban caches as well. I am currently vacationing in Hawaii, where I have already found 4 caches in half a day.

 

Now to why I posted here. Well, I have been wanting to discuss geocaching with other cachers for a while, but I didn't know that there was a forum. So, now that I have found it, I am eager to discuss. My normal home is in Denver (CO's wonderful capitol), where I have found many caches already. Once I find my dang camera cable, I'll upload some pictures of the Hawaiian caches that i've found. At least, maybe. I'll definitely get some of my CO pictures up soon though. Until then, I hop to participate in many discussions with my fellow Colorao cachers!

[+mcgyver111]

Howdy Everyone - another NuB here checking in!

 

I just had my first cache posted and am looking forward to seeing whom the FTF will be. (GC13FVY)

 

Can anyone tell me if there are any 'cache cliques' (groups) in the Banana Belt area - Buena Vista, Salida, Howard? I'm looking for some hiking / caching buddies since my dear wiffey doesn't like to do long hikes? We just started off on a hike yesterday to update my new cache and ran into a rattler half way there and I ended up escorting her - practically running - hanging on to my arm - 2 miles back to the car (never made it to the cache).

[+mcgyver111]

Is there a list of caches near or at the top of 14ers in Colorado?

I don't think there's a list, but it would be a good thing to add to the Geocaching Colorado website!

 

Sure.....just volunteer me for more work!

 

 

 

 

 

A really good idea though. Should it be a list of 14er caches, or expand to caches with a substantial hike (i.e. Class B hikes - up to 12 miles roundtrip and up to 2500 elevation gain)?

Perhaps a "serious hike" category with any on 14ers designated as such.

 

Couldn't you just do a search "by Keyword" and if all of the 14'er caches had "14er" in the title, would that be the easiest way?

[+RocketMan]

Now to why I posted here. Well, I have been wanting to discuss geocaching with other cachers for a while, but I didn't know that there was a forum. So, now that I have found it, I am eager to discuss. My normal home is in Denver (CO's wonderful capitol), where I have found many caches already. Once I find my dang camera cable, I'll upload some pictures of the Hawaiian caches that i've found. At least, maybe. I'll definitely get some of my CO pictures up soon though. Until then, I hop to participate in many discussions with my fellow Colorao cachers!

Welcome to the forums 9point0. If you have Colorado related geocaching topics you want to ask about or discuss, this thread is a good place to do it.

RocketMan

[+Team Laxson]

Is there a list of caches near or at the top of 14ers in Colorado?

I don't think there's a list, but it would be a good thing to add to the Geocaching Colorado website!

 

Sure.....just volunteer me for more work!

 

 

 

 

 

A really good idea though. Should it be a list of 14er caches, or expand to caches with a substantial hike (i.e. Class B hikes - up to 12 miles roundtrip and up to 2500 elevation gain)?

Perhaps a "serious hike" category with any on 14ers designated as such.

 

Couldn't you just do a search "by Keyword" and if all of the 14'er caches had "14er" in the title, would that be the easiest way?

 

You could, but there isn't a set naming convention for caches.

Here's the bookmark list that we've set up for them: Colorado Caches on 14ers.

 

None of them have '14er' in the title.

[+RocketMan]

Howdy Everyone - another NuB here checking in!

 

I just had my first cache posted and am looking forward to seeing whom the FTF will be. (GC13FVY)

 

Can anyone tell me if there are any 'cache cliques' (groups) in the Banana Belt area - Buena Vista, Salida, Howard? I'm looking for some hiking / caching buddies since my dear wiffey doesn't like to do long hikes? We just started off on a hike yesterday to update my new cache and ran into a rattler half way there and I ended up escorting her - practically running - hanging on to my arm - 2 miles back to the car (never made it to the cache).

Welcome mcgyver111. I'm not in your area, but if I head out that way, I will try to look you up. If you plan a specific day of caching, you can post it here and see if anyone can join you.

RocketMan

[+mcgyver111]

Howdy Everyone - another NuB here checking in!

 

I just had my first cache posted and am looking forward to seeing whom the FTF will be. (GC13FVY)

 

Can anyone tell me if there are any 'cache cliques' (groups) in the Banana Belt area - Buena Vista, Salida, Howard? I'm looking for some hiking / caching buddies since my dear wiffey doesn't like to do long hikes? We just started off on a hike yesterday to update my new cache and ran into a rattler half way there and I ended up escorting her - practically running - hanging on to my arm - 2 miles back to the car (never made it to the cache).

Welcome mcgyver111. I'm not in your area, but if I head out that way, I will try to look you up. If you plan a specific day of caching, you can post it here and see if anyone can join you.

RocketMan

 

Thanks for the advice on posting my 'caching days' here - good idea. Actually, My wife and daughter will be out of town visiting family from the second week of July through the first week of August so I'll be planning on setting at least one weekend day every week aside for caching: throw a backpack on, jump on the motorcycle and hit the cache road.

[9point0]

Hey Rocketman, where do you live in CO? Maybe we could go caching sometime...Anyways, is there anyone else in my area (Denver)?

[+Team Laxson]

Hey Rocketman, where do you live in CO? Maybe we could go caching sometime...Anyways, is there anyone else in my area (Denver)?

 

Oh yeah, there's a bunch of cachers in the Denver area. Not sure how many come into these forums though. If you're looking for a cachin' buddy, you might want to try the local forums.

[+Homer's Pack]

Hello all...Homer's Pack checking in again. We had a great day this past Saturday (the 9th). We did a tour of Ghost Towns throughout the area. Bagged a total of 12 caches...our single day best to date! Beautiful scenery as well as some 4x4 fun in the pickup. Looking forward to meeting many of you this coming Saturday in Idaho Springs.

[+RocketMan]

Hello all...Homer's Pack checking in again. We had a great day this past Saturday (the 9th). We did a tour of Ghost Towns throughout the area. Bagged a total of 12 caches...our single day best to date! Beautiful scenery as well as some 4x4 fun in the pickup. Looking forward to meeting many of you this coming Saturday in Idaho Springs.

Tour of Ghost Towns and 4x4 fun. That sounds like my kind of caching. Which ones were your favorites?

Thanks,

RocketMan

[+RocketMan]

Dave, love this shot. You almost got the rule-of-thirds right with the horizon. Close but no cigar.

 

OK Harmon, every time I see this picture at the top of the thread, I am curious what you did to enhance it to make it look so vibrant. Can you let us in on your method?

 

Original Photo

[+Team Laxson]

Dave, love this shot. You almost got the rule-of-thirds right with the horizon. Close but no cigar.

 

OK Harmon, every time I see this picture at the top of the thread, I am curious what you did to enhance it to make it look so vibrant. Can you let us in on your method?

 

Original Photo

CTRL+Shift+L?

[+RocketMan]

CTRL+Shift+L?

If I know Harmon, he broke the photo into three different sections placing each on it's own layer and then did special adjustments to each layer, but CTRL+Shift+L is more my style.

[+Cornerstone4]

Hey Dave!

 

(And all of you other Colorado cachers!)

 

I finally got a chance to visit your state. We stayed a couple of nights in Durango while we were on our short roadtrip last week. I only grabbed a few caches, but it was still a great time. Next time, Durango will be our destination, rather than a stop on our journey!

 

One of our activites was a "Rails and Trails" trip with a local outfitter. They took us by bus up to Silverton, and told us we would go on a jeep tour to some ghost towns via 4X4 roads...well, my idea of a jeep tour, and theirs was a bit different! Of course, it snowed on the way up, and the "jeep" was a 4WD truck with bench seats mounted on the bed. Our heads were above the cab, so as he drove, and the snow came down...we were freezing!

 

 

When we got to Howardsville, there was a cache about 800 feet away...I wimped out, and didn't get out from under the blanket!

 

 

When we got to Animas Forks, I just couldn't leave without finding one of the caches up there! Here is a shot of some of the buildings still standing up there.

 

[+Homer's Pack]

Hello all...Homer's Pack checking in again. We had a great day this past Saturday (the 9th). We did a tour of Ghost Towns throughout the area. Bagged a total of 12 caches...our single day best to date! Beautiful scenery as well as some 4x4 fun in the pickup. Looking forward to meeting many of you this coming Saturday in Idaho Springs.

Tour of Ghost Towns and 4x4 fun. That sounds like my kind of caching. Which ones were your favorites?

Thanks,

RocketMan

 

Favorite ones, eh? Wow...that's a tough one! I think that Ghost 6a - North Empire, Ghost 13 - Silver Plume, and Caribou Cache were our favorites. We weren't able to get to Ghost 5 - Kingston on this trip. Too much snow on the trail still! Maybe next time. Looking at the pictures that Cornerstone4 took, we're going to have to get down to Howardsville and Animas Forks, too!

[+RocketMan]

Hey Dave!

 

(And all of you other Colorado cachers!)

 

I finally got a chance to visit your state. We stayed a couple of nights in Durango while we were on our short roadtrip last week. I only grabbed a few caches, but it was still a great time. Next time, Durango will be our destination, rather than a stop on our journey!

 

One of our activites was a "Rails and Trails" trip with a local outfitter. They took us by bus up to Silverton, and told us we would go on a jeep tour to some ghost towns via 4X4 roads...well, my idea of a jeep tour, and theirs was a bit different! Of course, it snowed on the way up, and the "jeep" was a 4WD truck with bench seats mounted on the bed. Our heads were above the cab, so as he drove, and the snow came down...we were freezing!

 

 

When we got to Howardsville, there was a cache about 800 feet away...I wimped out, and didn't get out from under the blanket!

 

 

When we got to Animas Forks, I just couldn't leave without finding one of the caches up there! Here is a shot of some of the buildings still standing up there.

 

Thanks for sharing the cool shots Cornerstone. It's good to see you made it out to CO. Next time you will have to travel a little more NE and I can take you a a real Jeep trip. RM

[+RocketMan]

Hello all...Homer's Pack checking in again. We had a great day this past Saturday (the 9th). We did a tour of Ghost Towns throughout the area. Bagged a total of 12 caches...our single day best to date! Beautiful scenery as well as some 4x4 fun in the pickup. Looking forward to meeting many of you this coming Saturday in Idaho Springs.

Tour of Ghost Towns and 4x4 fun. That sounds like my kind of caching. Which ones were your favorites?

Thanks,

RocketMan

 

Favorite ones, eh? Wow...that's a tough one! I think that Ghost 6a - North Empire, Ghost 13 - Silver Plume, and Caribou Cache were our favorites. We weren't able to get to Ghost 5 - Kingston on this trip. Too much snow on the trail still! Maybe next time. Looking at the pictures that Cornerstone4 took, we're going to have to get down to Howardsville and Animas Forks, too!

Thanks for the info. I'll add those to my to-do list bookmark list. RM

[+Team Laxson]

Hey Dave!

 

(And all of you other Colorado cachers!)

 

I finally got a chance to visit your state. We stayed a couple of nights in Durango while we were on our short roadtrip last week. I only grabbed a few caches, but it was still a great time. Next time, Durango will be our destination, rather than a stop on our journey!

 

One of our activites was a "Rails and Trails" trip with a local outfitter. They took us by bus up to Silverton, and told us we would go on a jeep tour to some ghost towns via 4X4 roads...well, my idea of a jeep tour, and theirs was a bit different! Of course, it snowed on the way up, and the "jeep" was a 4WD truck with bench seats mounted on the bed. Our heads were above the cab, so as he drove, and the snow came down...we were freezing!

 

When we got to Howardsville, there was a cache about 800 feet away...I wimped out, and didn't get out from under the blanket!

 

When we got to Animas Forks, I just couldn't leave without finding one of the caches up there! Here is a shot of some of the buildings still standing up there.

Thanks for sharing the cool shots Cornerstone. It's good to see you made it out to CO. Next time you will have to travel a little more NE and I can take you a a real Jeep trip. RM

 

Ya'lls and your 4x4 vehicles. You're making me jealous.

There's just too much of Colorado to see to not have a 4x4. My wife's really going to be mad at you.

 

Well, it can't be me...

[9point0]

Well, looking at how many places you guys can go in a 4x4, I am really getting jealous. My car varies from the Mustang which we rented on Hawaii, to a little '01 Toyota Prius that gets 60 mpg. Only problem with the Prius is, well, if cars could have a "no wheel drive" then that must be what the Prius is. If we tried off-roading with that piece o junk, then we would be stuck in less then 5 seconds.

 

So in conclusion, I think that once I get my driver's license in 4 years or so, I'll ask my parents for a Jeep. Then again, they probably won't like that 'cause I don't think they (or many other 4x4s) are very safe. Getting killed geocaching would kind of suck. Then again, if I was old, that would be a fine way to die. But now I'm getting off topic. So, does anyone know how safe Jeeps are? Or other 4x4s for that matter?

[+Team GPSaxophone]

Well, looking at how many places you guys can go in a 4x4, I am really getting jealous. My car varies from the Mustang which we rented on Hawaii, to a little '01 Toyota Prius that gets 60 mpg. Only problem with the Prius is, well, if cars could have a "no wheel drive" then that must be what the Prius is. If we tried off-roading with that piece o junk, then we would be stuck in less then 5 seconds.

 

So in conclusion, I think that once I get my driver's license in 4 years or so, I'll ask my parents for a Jeep. Then again, they probably won't like that 'cause I don't think they (or many other 4x4s) are very safe. Getting killed geocaching would kind of suck. Then again, if I was old, that would be a fine way to die. But now I'm getting off topic. So, does anyone know how safe Jeeps are? Or other 4x4s for that matter?

Be careful who you're calling "old"

[+Homer's Pack]

We have a 2006 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 4x4 that does pretty well. We need to get some better tires for it. We really want a Jeep, though, especially seeing all of the pictures of other cachers with their Jeeps! Hopefully within the next year or so, though! Seriously, we've discovered so much of Colorado within the past 9 months or so that we've had our truck that we never would have been able to see with our minivan!

[+wewilldo7]

Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip to Colorado for the first week of July 2007. Can you recommend other must-see caches near "hanging lake trail" cache (GC441A)?

 

We're also planning to visit my friend in Pueblo, CO; what are some good caches in that area?

 

Thanks!

 

Laurie

[+Team Laxson]

Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip to Colorado for the first week of July 2007. Can you recommend other must-see caches near "hanging lake trail" cache (GC441A)?

 

We're also planning to visit my friend in Pueblo, CO; what are some good caches in that area?

 

Thanks!

 

Laurie

 

Well, hanging lake trail is a must-do hike to the top, even though the cache isn't all the way up. I'd recommend searching for the cache on the way up. You'll have the energy then.

 

As for others in the area, there are a bunch of fun ones. I enjoyed feeling silly at Pink Floyd.

Patron 'Aint will bring you to Doc Holiday's gravesite (kinda).

Back Packer was an enjoyable hike up to an interesting area.

 

That should get you started. There are some on the way (Westbound on I-70) that can break up the drive.

Edited June 13, 2007 by Team Laxson

[+RocketMan]

Hello! My husband and I are planning a trip to Colorado for the first week of July 2007. Can you recommend other must-see caches near "hanging lake trail" cache (GC441A)?

 

We're also planning to visit my friend in Pueblo, CO; what are some good caches in that area?

 

Thanks!

 

Laurie

 

Well, hanging lake trail is a must-do hike to the top, even though the cache isn't all the way up. I'd recommend searching for the cache on the way up. You'll have the energy then.

 

As for others in the area, there are a bunch of fun ones. I enjoyed feeling silly at Pink Floyd.

Patron 'Aint will bring you to Doc Holiday's gravesite (kinda).

Back Packer was an enjoyable hike up to an interesting area.

 

That should get you started. There are some on the way (Westbound on I-70) that can break up the drive.

Team Laxson has given you some good choices. Also make sure you check out the Cardiff Coke Ovens.

[+wewilldo7]

I've bookmarked them all so far - thank you for the recommendations! Still looking for some in Pueblo, too - thanks!!!

[9point0]

I would still like to know how the safety is in a Jeep. If anyone knows, could they please tell me. Please?

[+zoltig]

<snip> Still looking for some in Pueblo, too - thanks!!!

Head to the Pueblo Reservoir for some high quality hiking type caches.

GCKPNC is a good starting point for your P.Q. waypoints.

[+zoltig]

Delete duplicate post.

Edited June 14, 2007 by zoltig

[+zoltig]

I would still like to know how the safety is in a Jeep. If anyone knows, could they please tell me. Please?

WELL, It kinda depends on where on the Jeep that you ride. heh!

If you are tied onto the front bumper, it could be interesting to say the least.

However, in the seat, properly lashed in, outside of rolling off a shelf road, having a boulder come down the cliff, flipping over backwards (or forwards) on the rocks, drowning in a creek that is deeper than you thought, getting smacked in the melon by a wayward branch, being chased down by a bear/mountain lion or Sasquatch.... mmmmm, pretty safe-ish I guess!

n0wae's Trusty Jeep

Edited June 15, 2007 by zoltig

[+Team Laxson]

I would still like to know how the safety is in a Jeep. If anyone knows, could they please tell me. Please?

WELL, It kinda depends on where on the Jeep that you ride. heh!

If you are tied onto the front bumper, it could be interesting to say the least.

However, in the seat, properly lashed in, outside of rolling off a shelf road, having a boulder come down the cliff, flipping over backwards (or forwards) on the rocks, drowning in a creek that is deeper than you thought, getting smacked in the melon by a wayward branch, being chased down by a bear/mountain lion or Sasquatch.... mmmmm, pretty safe-ish I guess!

n0wae's Trusty Jeep

 

 

 

All kidding aside, they are very safe vehicles for off road applications - that's why they're so popular. I'm sure there are some statistics out there to verify, but from what I have seen, read, and experienced, they are safe to be in.

 

However, being they are such a capable off road vehicle, I have seen drivers push themselves into unsafe situations by over-estimating what their rig/driving capabilities are.

[+Cornerstone4]

I would still like to know how the safety is in a Jeep. If anyone knows, could they please tell me. Please?

 

Since you are only 12 right now...nothing is safe!

 

That won't change until you are in your mid-twenties by the way!

[9point0]

I really do have to wonder how much the insurance company would like it if I explained to them what I was planning on doing...the cost might go up a bit, don't ya think?

[+RocketMan]

The Mountain Pizza and 4x4 Event made the front page:

 

Jeeps - Large Banner Photo taken by Tooter153 of Cirrus142's Jeep (RocketMan's Jeep behind), Small Banner Photo taken by RocketMan of Hefe3's Jeep

 

 

4x4 Geocaching Bear - Large Banner Photo taken by Zoltig of the bear that jmike carved.

 

 

Here are the links to the banner pages:

Cirrus Jeep

Hefe3 Jeep

jmike Bear

[+climbstuff]

Excellent post RM, thanks for bringing that to our attention! I wonder who's job it is to choose the banner pics..?

They never choose my favorite pics! Like this next one advertising the new red jeep travel bug and showing the importance of rocker panel protection:

 

 

Or this pic! A little airborne action while showing the importance of teamwork among cachers:

 

 

It was a great time! Thanks again for setting it up!

[+Team Laxson]

Excellent post RM, thanks for bringing that to our attention! I wonder who's job it is to choose the banner pics..?

They never choose my favorite pics! Like this next one advertising the new red jeep travel bug and showing the importance of rocker panel protection:

 

I've wondered that too. Why didn't they pick my favorite?

I suppose it may have helped to show the very severe drop-off on the other side of that railing.

[+RocketMan]

I suppose it may have helped to show the very severe drop-off on the other side of that railing.

It was only a few hundred feet to the valley below. "Just don't look down Lisa!"

[+zoltig]

I suppose it may have helped to show the very severe drop-off on the other side of that railing.

It was only a few hundred feet to the valley below. "Just don't look down Lisa!"

Yeah it looks like she has a little bit of a nervous smile going on there. I wonder how that smile would look if she was on that Saxon Mtn. road?

[+RocketMan]

Yeah it looks like she has a little bit of a nervous smile going on there. I wonder how that smile would look if she was on that Saxon Mtn. road?

Mrs. RocketMan was along with me when I placed the caches along Saxon Mountain Road and she said that was the last time she was going on that trail. I don't know what her experssion was like on while those exposed sections because I was too busy watching the road.

 

Like on this section (Picture taken by Zoltig)

[+zoltig]

248 images to date.

This is un-friggen-believable! Colorado cachers rock!!

Great job, Folks!

 

 

You got that right, jmike! "What a view!"

[+RocketMan]

248 images to date.

This is un-friggen-believable! Colorado cachers rock!!

Great job, Folks!

 

 

You got that right, jmike! "What a view!"

That is a nice shot and maybe Harmon can tell us if he got the rule of thirds right.

[+Team GPSaxophone]

 

Since I couldn't get off of work for the 4x4 event I thought I'd do more of RocketMan's Off Road series on the Rampart Range.