I have a traditional cache in the woods off of a trail. The cache is hidden under a fallen tree. Is it a good idea to disable the cache once the snow gets too deep and then enable it in the spring? Is this something most people do, or do they just leave the cache? I would think that it would be near impossible to find it with 6+ inches of snow on it.

That is totally up to you if you want to disable it or not. I think that most everyone just leaves them intact throughout the year as long as the container is weatherproof (ammo can or any other tight lidded container). Myself I love caching in the wintertime,it makes it more of a challenge and no bugs........:D. Just be sure to dress warmly and bring a good pokey stick for that tell tale thump through the snow. ;)

I like winter caching because the trail through the snow makes it a lot easier to find the cache! LOL! ;) ;) ;)

Yeah especially from someone with big feet...:D :D ;)

As long as people push some snow back over them and brush their tracks over with pine branches i would leave it :D I personally with leave both of mine and may hide another just for winter. I wish the snow was here year round :eek:

We cached at Pocomoonshine today just outside Calais. The 3 inches of snow didn't stop us from going out. As remote an area as it is, don't think anyone else will be there til spring. Didn't bother to cover our tracks.:p The Teams first 50 caches were covered with snow, and a couple of DNF's too. Leave the cache active, and let us hearty cachers find it.

From the winter caches I have done, following tracks in the snow is not as simple as it sounds. Usually by the time I find the cache under the snow there will be enough tracks in all directions to confuse any cachers or muggles. Of coarse it is a good idea to leave a few empty holes in the area to keep muggles wondering what you were looking for. A stick for poking likely spots is a must and a folding shovel for moving snow is very handy. If the container is likely to be plastic be gentle as cold plastic breaks easily. As long as the cache is not in a high traffic area I see no problem leaving them available for winter cachers. I have found some caches so iced in that you can barely open the lid enough to get the logbook out and back in. I had to chop through 4 inches of ice to get one cache out of the hiding spot. Just dress warm and watch the ice on the trails, it can be treacherous. Snowshoes are great if in deep snow and crampons a must if following ice covered trails. Winter caching can be fun just don't get upset if you don't find the cache, that's part of the fun.

YOP

From the winter caches I have done, following tracks in the snow is not as simple as it sounds. Usually by the time I find the cache under the snow there will be enough tracks in all directions to confuse any cachers or muggles.
YOP

I think the first winter cache we did was The Four Seasons (GCHA1E), which was actually advertised as a winter-accessible cache. There were well worn trails right to the area of the cache, but as YOP stated, there were MANY tracks confusing the final find. LOL! :) :)