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Petaca Pinta Traditional Geocache

Hidden : 4/4/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Petaca Pinta is a mesa in a BLM wilderness study area of the same name. The area features colorful cliffs of sandstone and lava, and can be a challenging place to hike. Navigating the roads to get close enough to hike will also be a challenge.

Driving near the cache involves about 30 miles of dirt road, some of it washboard. The roads are Indian routes 54 and 541.

Land in the area is a mix of private, public and indian ownership. The BLM map "Acoma Pueblo: Surface Management Status", is a good way to know whose land you are on at any point. You can get this map at the Albuquerque BLM office on Montano. One reason you might want this map is I have heard Laguna Pueblo Police have been known to give parking tickets for parking on their land.

If you go far enough, you will reach a ranch on private land. I have not met these people, but have heard they are friendly to hikers. Be sure to stop and ask permission and where to park as you drive through their front yard. If no one is home and the gates are unlocked, you can assume it is OK to proceed. Be sure to leave all gates as you find them - either open or closed. If you park at these coordinates, I believe you will be on state or BLM land: N34 42.554 W107 29.656.

As for the hiking route, that's for you to figure out. It will require some scrambling, but no real rock climbing. When I did it, it was a little over 7 miles and 2200 feet elevation gain. When you are getting very close (assuming an approach from the south) the last 20 feet to the top may look too difficult. If so, try looking a little farther north on the west side of the mesa for an easier route up.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ba gbc, ng gur obggbz bs n iregvpny penpx va gur onfnyg, haqre ebpxf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)