After a steep 500 vertical foot scramble in hot Wyoming summer weather, I slapped myself silly for not bringing a traditional cache with me on the hike. A beautiful panoramic view of cool blue water contrasted against a blood red desert awaits whomever can overcome this 1-mile roundtrip grueling hike! So until someone else has the energy to place a traditional cache up here, the rewards are (1) a beautiful view and (2) an education in Wyoming fossil collecting.
If combined with a Wyoming roadside geology guide or a Wyoming rock-hunting book, this hike will be quite educational. The trail was constructed after a 5th grade class from Casper discovered a Camarasaurus near the top of the ridge in 1991. The dinosaur skeleton is currently on display at the geological museum in Casper. The trip will familiarize the hiker with the Sundance and Morrison Formations. These are two highly fossilifourus geological formations containing numerous vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant fossils. Although on BLM land, collection of rocks and fossils is prohibited along this trail. However, once you recognize what to look for, the knowledge gained can be used to find fossils on other public lands. Collecting reasonable quantities of invertebrate and plant fossils for personal use is permitted on public lands. Collection of vertebrate fossils requires permits. Please see BLM/WY/GI-00/004+1050 P-406.
The posted geospatial coordinates will guide you to the trailhead. Once on the ridge, coordinates in the hint will guide you to the ridge summit where you can find overlooking views of the reservoir. The climb requires good physical conditioning. Bring plenty of water. Hiking in cool weather is recommended. My hiking partner didn’t make it to the top due to heat exhaustion. Do not hike in the rain as it may damage the trail further. Please follow “Tread Lightly” and “Leave No Trace” techniques.
There are not questions to answer for this virtual cache since this Geocache was created before such things were deemed necessary; when getting people outside to discover our world was the goal of Geocaching. If this Geocache got you off the beaten path to see and learn something new, then you've earned the find.