GET OUT...and enjoy the outdoors #1 - Plateau Mtn Traditional Cache
GET OUT...and enjoy the outdoors #1 - Plateau Mtn
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is hidden on top of Plateau Mountain which is in the Highwood area of South Kananaskis Country. The route is an easy uphill walk along a gas well access road. The terrain is alpine tundra with sweeping views in every direction, including unique patterns of rocks at the summit. Elevation is 2524m and can be very windy given the open slopes. The approach roads are closed for winter access Dec.1-Apr.30.
This is the first cache in the "GET OUT" series with a goal of getting people out into the mountains to enjoy the scenery, fresh air, excercise, and spend time with friends and family.
Plateau Mountain is unlike other mountains as it is flat as a table. It is considered a Nunatak, meaning that it rose above the surrounding landscape and escaped the action of glaciers during the ice age. The surface of the mountain is patterned ground in almost geometric arrangements of rock and alpine meadow, created by frost and thaw action. Wildflowers abound and the view takes in the Great Divide, Hailstone Butte, and Unnamed Ridge. This hike is featured on page 198 of Gillean Daffern's book, "Canmore & Kananaskis Country - Short Walks for Inquiring Minds #1".
The cache is a relatively easy walk up a 4.3 KM gas well access road, with a short trek accross alpine tundra to the ridge that lies ahead. Highway 40 is closed between Kananaskis Lakes Trail turnoff and Highwood junction from December 1 to June 15, and Highway 940 is closed between Cateract Creek Campground and Wilkenson Summit from December 1 to April 30. Access to Plateau Mountain road will allow you to drive 3.7 KM to park at the trail head gate. The GEM map for Highwood & Cataract Creek provides excellent direction and supporting information.
We placed the cache September 4, 2006 at sunrise. Hiking through the dark with headlamps, some in the group were a little on the cranky camper side but I can’t blame them given the time. Before finding a suitable place to plant this cache, I was “buzzed” by a small plane which swooped over the ridge. I gave the approaching plane a friendly wave and the pilot responded by tipping the wings in a back and forth fashion. Found the perfect spot.
The Cache is a plastic peanut brittle container with a red top. Original contents include a FTF certificate in the log book, kickball, vanity kit, show sponge, cat night light, microcache container, brushups, makeup remover, Canadian Forces lanyard, Grizzy Bear Travel Bug, Loonie, bandages, and a tealight.
GET OUT and enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pnpur vf uvqqra orarngu n fznyy cvyr bs ebpxf 2-3 zrgerf orybj gur pnvea, ba gur evqtr.