The Natural Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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The cache is located in the Cibola National Forest just east of the Albert Simms Park. Parking is available in the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area.
The given coordinates are not that of the cache. Instead they give the location of a two word vertical sign: DOMINGO BACA.
You must use the letters in the sign to solve a kind of four-word anagram ("/" separate the words):
_ _ / _ / w _ _ _ e _ / _ r _ _ _ h
using the letters L1, L2, L4, L7, L8, L9, L10 and L11 only once and L5 thrice, where L1, L2, etc, is the order of letters numbering from sign top to bottom. The given letters, because they do not appear in the sign, are in their correct position in the anagram. The four-word phrase together with the coordinates calculated as described below tell you where to look for the cache.
For the coordinates, you must first calculate a value for each of the above words, W1, W2, W3 and W4 (in the above order), by summing the numbers assigned each letter according to their position in the alphabet. (For example the word cache would have the value 3+1+3+8+5 = 20.) Do not include in the word values the letters that are given and not on the sign. Insert the word values into the following formulas to calculate the minutes in the usual form (the * means multiplication):
Lat. = 35 deg. [W4/2] . [(1+W1)*W4 + W3 – 3*(W2+W3)]’
Long. = 106 deg. [W3 – (W4+W2)] . [3*(W3-W1)*W4/2 + 3*(W1+W2)]’
If the coordinates you calculate do not indicate a point a few hundred meters to the northeast of the given coordinates, then you likely made a mistake! Some GPS units include a calculator; you might use it to check your calculations.
The cache itself is a small plastic cylindrical container with a blue top about 1” diameter and 2” long. It only contains a log so bring a writing instrument. Please replace the cache with care and make sure it is secure in its original position.
Starting from the eastern most parking in the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, navigate to the sign at the given coordinates. To approach the cache from there and without enduring extreme bushwhacking, use the faint trails made by hunters, hikers and the resident animals. These use two low ridges to proceed first to the northwest of the cache and then to a point in a saddle slightly to the east. The second of the ridges may be recognized by the rock formation at its head that resembles three books standing on end as on a shelf.
Before or after finding the cache, proceed 20 meters to the west and onto a flat rock to enjoy a great view of the Albert Simms Park and beyond.
Good luck!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)