From the pamphlet:
"Powell Butte is one of many cinder cone volcanoes located in and around Portland. The City of Portland purchased Powell Butte in the early 1920's when the Water Bureau foresaw the need for future reservoirs."
There are thousands of gallons of water stored in tanks below these fields. See the info board near the parking lot for details. Rumor has it that more huge tanks will be placed atop this butte to keep pace with Portland's water demand. If you're concerned about Powell Butte's natural beauty, be aware of this possible development.
From the park's main gravel parking lot (N. side of butte), the coordinates posted will lead you on a 15-20 minute hike up the butte directly to the cache (an ammo box). The first part of the hike is on a paved path; the last bit is off into the tall (sometimes wet) grass. The cache is in a somewhat concealed location from the majority of the visitors of the park, but the location isn't completely hidden.
Hint: If you are close, but can't find it: Near these coordinates you may find "Survey Monument 4" (a 5-ft tall white post; one of many on the butte). From that post go about 20-24 paces, bearing 188° (almost due S) magnetic. The cache is at the base of one of the taller, spikey trees. There's a quarter-inch by two-inch stick (like a paint bucket stir-stick) against the base of the tree as a visual clue.
CACHE MAINTENANCE HISTORY (not critical to the hunt):
Update (07-26-2004) Updated cache coordinates to reflect what other visitors are finding (maybe we originally transposed a number?)
Update (06-07-2004) Lots of tall grass around the cache -- very difficult to find. Chad put a quarter-inch x two-inch stick (like a paint bucket stir-stick) against the base of the tree as a visual clue. the cache is within 1 foot from the base of the tree.
Update (05-01-2004) ...May Day, May Day; this cache apparently got stolen. Luckily we came prepared with a replacement cache kit. Tuperware, log book, and misc. goodies are in position in a new spot about 15 south of the original spot (slightly more obscured now).
Update (09-30-2003) ...Just past this cache's 2-year anniversary, a grass fire struck the area and slightly melted the Tupperware container! Thanks to the note by Joliet Jake, and especially the quick replacement container from THE G-CREW (thanks!!), this cache is back in shape. What a generous caching community we have!
Update (05-26-2002) ...Checked the cache. Added a new cache camera. Noticed that many of the steep "off-trail" trails are now fenced off. Played in the concrete arroyo.
Update (02-16-2002) ...The Panoramic Cache Camera images are now online. The Panoramic Cache Camera originally instructed visitors to take the camera over to the compass circle viewpoint at the top of the butte and take a picture in a particular direction. We've scanned in the images so you can see the results of this community made panoramic image.
Update (01-05-2002) ...We grabbed the cache camera. Additionally, I (Brad) expanded the hole the cache container is in, so that it's not poking out like it was before. We covered it up with a bit of grass for good measure, but not enough that a dilligent seeker won't be able to find the container. Finally, I've update the coordinates slightly, improving accuracy.