UPDATE: Cache container has been replaced as of April 21.
The name of the cache refers to the hill upon which the cache
sits. When approaching the site from the south, the hill looks like
a giant chicken drumstick - See gallery image. There is only one
known access point, a trail that leads from a parking area suitable
for three or four vehicles (see waypoint for coordinates of parking
area). The trail has some steep sections but the footing is
relatively good.
There are two major challenges to finding this cache: Devil's
Club and mosquitos. Most would think that the Devil's Club would be
the more daunting of the two obstacles, but in fact, the Devil's
Club can be maneuvered around. The mosquitos, on the other hand,
were as thick as I have ever seen them in Alaska. I would
strongly suggest that the cache only be attempted with headnets and
complete coverage with clothing. DEET will not be sufficient.
In the fall when the mosquitos die off, this will be an excellent
hunt. Today it is for the hardy and those who have a pint or two of
excess blood.
The trail meanders over the hill, and as you get close you will
need to head cross-country through the woods. The quality of the
coordinates may not be as good as I usually like, because I could
only take a very small number of readings before I was overwhelmed
by mosquitos. The hunter will get sufficiently close with these
coordinates (within 30 feet) to find the cache. It is not hidden is
such a way that a seeker wouldn't find it quickly once he or she
arrived at the coordinates. Your muggle problem will be at the
parking area, and not near the cache. Several vehicles stopped at
the turnout, and when I returned from placing the cache, I met
someone standing in the parking area. For most of the summer you
would have to really want to be out there near the cache (and have
mosquito-proof clothing).
Note to hunters with kids in tow: The path to the cache
is steep in spots, and there are some very steep to cliff-like
features in the immediate area. The cache might not be appropriate
for some kids.
If you haven't gotten the hint yet, the mosquitos are very
very bad, even by Alaskan standards. Were I seeking this cache
without a headnet and full clothing coverage, I wouldn't have
proceeded more than 50 yards into the woods without giving up.
Casual hunters might want to save this for a nice frosty September
morning.