Swatara Falls Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Recommended Starting Point is N40 39.818 W 76 21.676
Be careful of all the intertwining roads and ATW trails, one might get confused if not paying attention on the way in or out. .
An excerpt from the " Annals of the Swatara ". George Wheeler states " By far the most important stream in the west end, is of course, the Swatara. It is only 69 miles long, but has such a large network of tributaries that its drainage area is 567 square miles. From the head of the stream in Foster Township to the lower Little Swatara the distance is sixteen miles and the descent 1160 feet. In the remaining 53 miles between Pine Grove and Middletown, it falls only 232 feet.
In the first two miles of its course, it falls 360 feet. Then comes the steepest section, which includes the beautiful Swatara Falls. Here the stream drops 300 feet in half of a mile."
It is probably best to hike, but a good mountain biker could ride the hard part. I have seen people actually drive right past the cache and to the falls ( approx. .11 miles to the falls ). This cache gets its rating because of the middle section of the .42 mile hike, but for the most part it is just a casual walk in the woods.
As in every area that includes rocks, water and heights ....the utmost care is needed. This is a wonderful place to visit, but please be careful if you find yourself wanting to climb.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va bar bs gur znal perivprf va n furre ebpx jnyy, pnpur vf AB zber guna 150 sg. sebz ebnq.
20 be fb Sg.........Evtug bs 420.......... ;^}