Larry's Trail is a unofficial, unmaintained, steep trail that
has recently popped-up in the Sandias.
This is a challenging trail. It is well marked with cairns
(piles of rocks), hundreds of yellow ribbons on tree branches, and
branches/logs that parallel the trail in places. However, you have
to pay very close attention to follow the trail. You should not
hike this trail (or any trail) alone. If at any point you lose the
trail: STOP! (1) Turn around and retrace your steps until you are
sure you have found the trail again, or (2) Hike back down the
mountain and give up for the day. (Remember, you are carrying a
GPS. Use it navigate back to the trailhead listed below.)
The beginning of the trail is most easily reached from Faulty
Trail. When I hid the cache, I left my car at the parking area for
Canoncito Trail (N 35 8.112, W 106 22.635). It was a 3 mile hike to
reach the lower trailhead for Larry's Trail (N 35 7.507, W 106
23.627). There is a wooden sign marking the junction of Faulty
Trail and Larry's Trail (elevation 7,570').
It is a 1.3 mile hike up Larry's Trail to the cache, hidden at
8,725' elevation. The cache is about 20 feet north of the trail.
Finding the cache requires a short scramble up some rocks. (The
spoiler below will be a give-away, if you have trouble finding
it.)
An alternate (but very long) approach to the cache would be to
hike to the upper junction of Larry's Trail and the South Crest
Trail. There is another wooden sign marking this junction, which is
at N 35 7.741, W 106 25.384, elevation 9,455'. The hike down to the
cache from here is about 0.7 mile, and very steep.
This is a challenging and beautiful hike. But I only recommend
it for experienced hikers (who are in quite good condition).
Enjoy!