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Wheel of the Year - Litha LbNA #4258 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 7, 2003
Location:
City:Golden
County:Jefferson
State:Colorado
Boxes:1
Planted by:AutumnsFolly
Found by: karate hiker
Last found:May 28, 2006
Status:aFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Jun 7, 2003
Box was found - after many missing reports. I have since retired and archived this box. Thanks to all who found it, replanted it, found it again, replanted it, and to the lovely geocacher who finally hid it well enough and emailed me coordinates. Thanks for a great almost 5 years on this box!

This box is on the Dakota Ridge Trail, on Dinosaur Ridge. It’s a great trail, with views of both the Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Denver Basin. Wear appropriate hiking boots, as the terrain is very rocky and includes some good inclines. Dogs are welcome on leash, and “serious” mountain bikers can make the trek on bikes.

This box commemorates Litha, the Summer Solstice. Due to the terrain, and the symbolism of the box, it is best to plan this hike for a warm sunny day!

‘How now, Spirit! Wither wander you?
Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire
I do wander everywhere’
~ Shakespeare “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Directions:
Go west from Denver on I-70 to exit 259. Head South on 93 toward Red Rocks Park. Across the road from the first park entrance go left up Dinosaur Ridge. There are some great spots to see some evidence of the dinos that used to inhabit Colorado! Just past the first switchback turn you will find a turnout on the left side of the road at the Dakota Ridge Trail. Park here.

Letterboxing:
The trail begins at a railroad tie retaining wall. The trail will crest once and then down to a lovely meadow (look for deer!) Stay on the path up to the second summit. You’ll see electric lines up ahead. At the crest of the second summit, there is a fence and metal gate that has a falcon symbol on sign. Turn around and count about 20 big steps back from the gate. On your left will be three big boulders and a rock wall. Up the wall there's a large outcropping of flat stones, you’ll find your treasure snuggled behind under rocks on the top right hand side of this protrusion. You'll have to climb up - maybe step up onto the first ledge and reach a bit. Be careful as you stand on the slight incline. Please re-hide well, as this is a high-traffic area for mountain bikers, etc! Your hike back to your parking place is about 45 minutes - or continue on further down the trail, and you'll end up in the Stegasaurus parking lot!

Walking Distance: Entire trail is just over 2 miles
Incline: Strenuous at points - 1000' inclines
Kid friendly: Most likely no
Shoes: GOOD hiking boots
Time: 2 hours depending on how fast you hike

(note: this box does have a valid Jefferson County Open Space permit)