We were headed up to place our "H" cache when we met this
obstacle. Being unable to travel further, we decided to place a
cache here to mark the changes in territory.
The cache was ORIGINALLY named "I"t Might Be Open in reference
to the heavy gate that was locked for much of this past winter due
to road damage caused by our fantastic rains. However, recent
events dictated a change in cache location AND name to its
current.
As you can see from past logs, this cache hit a glitch when
rangers found it in early April(they really shouldn't have...ah
well...poor placement on my part) and thought it was a bomb. They
called the Sheriff's Department, apparently, and a deputy had the
priviledge of shooting the plastic film canister with his sidearm
til the lid (marked "geocache") popped off and a whisp of paper
(previously known as the log) flew out. Meanwhile, the deputy's
WIFE was at our geocaching picnic in Santa Maria! Small
world...
The Central Coast backcountry has changed enormously in recent
years, most markedly by barbed wire, pole fences, threatening
signage and other means of closure. It's enough to make a grown man
weep.
But even if this obstacle blocks your vehicle's path, there's a
nice little hike for pedestrians JUST past the obstacle. Bring some
water, a camera and good shoes and enjoy the wildflowers, oak
groves and meadows beyond.
This road is a graded dirt road with numerous creek crossings.
It is generally closed if there's so much as a mist falling due to
EXTREMELY slippery conditions when wet. It is generally passable by
two-wheel-drive vehicles (even street motorcycles) with moderate
clearance. (I've seen cadillac sedans on this road, BMW street
bikes and a variety of family vans.) But remember, there are little
creek crossings and relatively steep inclines.
