This cache is named for the fact that my first trip to the location was to camp out in late December, 1998. I was planning on placing the cache on the weekend that the Winter Quarters LDS temple was dedicated, but the weather and my schedule didn't cooperate.
The cache location is surrounded on all sides by steep hillsides and cliffs. When I went up in the snow, there weren't any animal tracks at all on top! But this time, I saw "evidence", let's call it, that animals have been up there. The weather forecast before I left called for 9 days of clear skies, but I got to watch a thunderstorm pass through to the Salt Lake valley about 5 miles to the north.
The theme of the cache is pioneers--not necessarily Mormon pioneers--any type of pioneer is fine. The container is a white, multi-gallon laundry detergent container, so there's plenty of space in it. It will be easy enough to locate once you get to the area, but getting there is a little bit of work. There is a small amount of what mountaineers call "4th class climbing" required. It's not rock climbing where ropes are needed, and really isn't difficult, but it would make some people a bit nervous.
The trail is fairly overgrown, so either wear long pants or be prepared for a few scratches. If you're sleeping over, be sure to bring a pad, because the ground is a little rocky.
Original contents of the cache are:
- Two pencils
- A pencil sharpener (please leave this in the cache)
- The logbook--the first time I've put a normal log book in one of my caches
- Stories about 2 of my pioneer ancestors who spent time at "that other Winter Quarters": Shadrach Roundy and Phineas Wolcott Cook (please leave this in the cache)
- An emergency poncho
- A golf ball from the area near the original location of the Wasteland Stash
If you have a story about a pioneer ancestor, print out a copy of some highlights and add it to the cache.
I'm going to put 2 hints here unencrypted because they're fairly important. If you don't mind making a second trip or working harder to find it yourself, you can stop reading here.
Hint #1: Assuming you park your car at N40° 28.982' x W111° 45.024', go out of the parking lot to the NORTH, down to the river, not to the east.
Hint #2: When you get about 100 feet west of the cache, you'll see some big rocks and wonder whether you have to climb up them. You don't have to, unless you want to get to the cache! I found 3 good places to go up, so it shouldn't be a problem, but do be careful. I'm just glad I didn't bring a wagon wheel!