Upper Iowa/Lower Dam Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is northeast of Decorah. It can be reached by either the gravel River Road (entrance is off this)... or stay on blacktop most of the way, on the Canoe Ridge blacktop. Very scenic country with lots of pretty hills and valleys!
The cache is located on Iowa DNR land known as the Lower Dam area on the Upper Iowa River. (Much of the dam was removed by the DNR around 2019.) A somewhat bad road between 1/2 and 1 mile in length leads you to the area. You can take a car in, just watch carefully for bad bumps and rocks. You'll see the broken-out dam. Bring a fishing pole and fish a bit below it. Or plan to go tubing, canoeing or just play in the river. This river almost had National Scenic River status a few years back. It was highlighted in National Geographic Adventure magazine for its canoeing. There are some places to pitch a tent, complete with primitive fire rings if you like. The whole area is primitive. Driving in you'll note an old road forking off to the left when you've almost reached the general parking area. You'll want to journey down this "road" until it becomes a footpath and beyond. Better let you know this, or your GPS might lead you to attempt to climb up a nasty bluff right where the road starts (don't do it; the road somewhat doubles back!) Wear long pants, long sleeves and good hiking boots. This is possibly NOT one for the kids. You're be climbing a steep slope to the base of a bluff. The hillside has loose dirt, rocks, poison ivy, plants that'll "stick" ya, etc. on it. Also trees that you'll grab to support you that then just break off (please make sure it's a GOOD tree before you grab. I've WARNED YOU. lol) ***** This cache was replaced and relocated 10/30/2020, If you like, you can continue down the trail later. If you go about 2 miles on it and stick by the river, you'll come to the next crossroad, known as Lundy Bridge. Ask me if you'd like to do this and I'll give you more details. THE CACHE IS A **REGULAR** LARGE PEANUT BUTTER JAR.(Historical note: Contents of the original Rubbermaid container, later replaced by a pill bottle, included a disposable flash camera, pencil and notepad, 2 silly magnets, a small hairbrush, a "fun for kids" booklet, a small deck of Washington D.C. playing cards, and Huahh the Froggy Travel Bug.)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pyvss snpr fghzc