This geocache is located on part of the Massachusetts rails-to-trails system. It runs close to the Minuteman Bike Path, but is not part of it; rather, it eventually runs straight into Hanscom Field in Bedford (there’s a fence at that end at which one must turn back, due to Hanscom being an active Air Force base; prior to the post-9/11 precautionary measures, one was able to actually walk onto the base. You can still see airplanes – civilian ones – taking off and landing just above the treetops here; if you walk down the path .19 mile from the geocache, you’ll be able to watch them landing right over your head – very cool).
We wrote: "We’ve been unable to locate any information about the history of this particular rail line and would be delighted to learn more; if anyone out there can contribute to our knowledge that would be grand!"
And WaldenRun filled us in:
I believe the "River Something" is actually Kiln Brook. It is part of the headwaters of the Shawsheen River, which flows about 25 miles from Hanscom to the Merrimack. As for the railbed, it is the old Hanscom spur. You can find a good description of it (and the bridge!) here: (dead link) Scroll down to "12/10/00".
Jeannette found this spot back when she worked for one of the high-tech companies that border the path (Rational Software, now part of IBM); like many of the people who work in the immediate area, she spent many lunch breaks walking this trail. On weekdays in nice weather you’re bound to run into them also.
As for wildlife, the cache is located near a stream where we have seen fish, turtles, frogs, birds, including a Blue Heron, and even an otter!. If you come in the summer, be sure to use insect repellent.
Note: This area vacillates between being gorgeous and quite frankly, the opposite of gorgeous. It was fairly repellent when we enabled the cache on August 28, 2005. We hadn't had much rain, the pond was stagnant and covered with a green scum.
The trail starts at 42 28.282, 071 15.601, there are two small boulders there. Across the street you'll find a parking lot for a high-tech company which doesn't seem to mind people using the lot for the very close Minuteman Bike Path.
