By Truck, By Cycle, By Foot, the treasure is found.

Phase two of an Indian site hunt was completed yesterday.  Phase one is getting information from knowledgeable locals.  Kadizzle found the source, and The Commander did the interview to find out where the Coon Creek  ruins might be found.

Actually finding and getting there was another matter.   Early in the day we loaded the cycle into the back of the truck.  Next we drove about 15 miles up the Cherry Creek road.   After parking the truck and unloading the cycle, we headed up the hill to seek out the road into the wilderness.  With no forest service road signs getting on the right road took some doing.   The chosen road was not the best roadway for two people on a 250cc motorcycle, but the skilled Kadizzle guided the cycle with The Commander on the back farther and farther into nowhere.   On several occasions the explorers had to stop look at the map, and argue.  The Commander insisted the sites we were looking for were one place, and Kadizzle said it was not the right place.  In several places the road was so rough and steep The Commander had to get off and walk.  At one point while The Commander was walking Kadizzle went ahead on the cycle to explore.  As Kadizzled topped a hill he saw a vehicle below leaving a primitive campsite.  In order to try to get some leads from the people, Kadizzle pursued them on his cycle.  The jeep went up an extremely steep incline with loose rocks, and the cycle could not follow. Later in the day we met the people coming back and found that they too were exploring for sites.

Reunited with The Commander, Kadizzle thought he had found the right spot to start the foot trail.  A short walk down a stream did reveal a path and the first ancient dwelling. The first dwelling was just a small cave with marvelous rock coloring.  The rock in the cave looked like rock rainbows.

Farther down the stream and below a cliff on Coon Creek we found the main ruin.   One portion of the roof was intact, which was unusual.

Next we were on to our second search of the day.   This time we went to the very top of the universe on the cycle.  On a narrow winding mountain road with the cycle straining to carry two people, we gradually made our way to a corral which would be a departing point for the hike.  Stunning views were every direction from the top of the mountain, and the view could not be captured on camera or adequately described, but it is one of the best scenic areas the crew has been exposed to.

A futile search did not lead to the ruins, and the daylight was running out, so faced with failure we headed back.  However, both members of the crew were delighted.