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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Easy one located near the Abiquiu Dam NE boat ramp, placed to fill in the void on the New Mexico geocache map in this area, and to point out the scenic location.
Abiquiu Dam & Reservoir are an Army Corps Of Engineers project that is an out of the way spot with many charms. The dam is one of the highest earthfill dams in the country, and the lake is often touted as one of the best fishing spots in the state. Due to the current drought, however, the lake levels are at an all-time low, so the name suggested itself.
Note about the map shown below - the water level shown is the FLOOD STAGE for the reservoir, which has never been reached, so no, the cache is not in the water. It is actually at the same altitude above the lake as a permanent parking area nearby, so it (and any hunters) are in no danger of drowning.
Even with the water so low, the lake is still pretty big by New Mexico standards, and there is still lots to offer the outdoorsman - boating, camping, fishing, and lots of scenery. In fact, the scenery is good enough that it has been a favorite for famous painter Georgia O'Keefe, and has been used for at least 6 motion pictures. The area is surrounded by red, yellow, and white sandstone outcroppings, offset by greens from the mountainside forests, and gleaming snows in winter.
For the geek inclined, there are numerous fossil outcroppings in the area, and several famous reptile fossils over 200 million years old have been found near the lake.
The cache is hidden in a tupperware container somewhat disguised to look like the surroundings, hence the difficulty rating - otherwise it would be rated a 1.
Original Contents are Rumple's Travel Bug; postmarked stamps from Sierra Leonne, Africa; travel cards; mini roulette game; bubble bag purse; safety flasher light.
Bring a camera, the kids, a boat, your tent, the dogs, and anything else that'll fit in the vehicle, find the cache, and have a blast afterward at the lake - minus the crowds!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Tb Abegu gueh cynltebhaq, uvqqra ng onfr bs gerr arne srapr yvar va fznyy ebpx bhgpebccvat, orfg ivfvoyr sebz nobir.