South Rabbit Ear Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
-
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is placed on top of the South Rabbit Ear in the Organ
Mountains. There are 3 rabbit ears and this is the shortest of the
3 at ~8000 feet. The rabbit ears can be seen dominating the skyline
from the east but the south rabbit ear is mostly hidden from view
on the west by the rabbit ears plateau.
I have rated this cache a 5 for difficulty because some may want to
use ropes and climbing gear. However, it is just a class 3 climb
and I don't think most experienced hikers would have much trouble.
But everyone is different so don't do anything you're not
comfortable with. The climbing is similar to the crux on Organ
Needle and is not much worse that what may be encountered in the
canyon on the way up.
The hike follows the same approach route as Hercules Labor 10.
Start from Topp Hut Rd. off of Baylor Canyon Rd. Near the mine, hop
on the trail that takes you northeast to the mouth of Rabbit Ear
Canyon. Follow the canyon up. After some time it will veer to the
right (southeast) so follow it that way.
For this cache you will eventually have to leave the canyon and
head toward the south rabbit ear. (You are aiming for the saddle
between the middle and south ears.) I veered left at the fork in
the canyon (N 32° 22.103 W 106° 34.920) but you may want to
stay in the canyon longer before you head that way. Either way,
you'll have to do a bit of bushwhacking to get there.
Go between the middle and south ears almost all the way up to the
saddle. About 100' before you reach the saddle you'll see an area
where water has drained that looks easier to climb than the rest
(N 32° 22.079 W 106° 34.709). Start climbing up there
heading southeast until you get close to the top. Then turn
southwest and head to the peak.
Cache is pretty close to the summit. Be careful, there's not alot
of room to walk up there.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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