Parking area is located at N33° 33.503, W086° 42.427.
This cache is located at Ruffner Mountain, one of Birmingham's best-kept secrets, and among our favorite places to hike. Come and see the nature center, and see some of the local wildlife Alabama has to offer up close and personal. Some temporary resident animals are nearby, recuperating from injuries or other ailments. You won't believe how "out in the wilderness" these trails seem, but the city (and the skyline) is within sight from certain areas. The trails range from 3/10 of a mile to 1.2 miles one way. (Guess which one you'll have to take? ;) ) On the bright side, you will have a spectacular view of downtown just before you reach the cache.
A trail map will come in handy for you -- the trail map and more information on Ruffner Mountain is available here: http://www.bham.net/ruffner/ and at the Nature Center. An admission dontation for trail maintenance is suggested; there is a donation box in the Nature Center. The park is open from 9-5 most days (CLOSED MONDAY), please plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get there and back. Bring some water for yourself just in case you get thirsty. At a medium pace, it takes about two hours or so. Please be honest with yourself in asking whether you need more time or not! There are benches along the trail at decent intervals if you need a break to rest, the trails are very easy to follow, but it is not even ground. Please stay on the paths! They will lead you to very near where you need to be.
The cache is a camoflaged ammo box. Please be subtle in logging your find, as the trails do have hikers. Hide it as good as or better than you found it! At time of placement, its contents include:
- Logbook and pen/pencil
- Camera -- take your picture, but please leave the camera with the cache
- Swimmer's Neck Safe
- "Last Man" Peg Game (made by yours truly)
- Tonka Truck
- Cyalome lightstick
- Ruler
- Flag Stickers
- Scuba Dive sticker
- Small First aid kit (bandaids, etc)
- Batteries (2)
- Coleman can cozy/hugger
- The "Silver Kahuna" travel bug
The title should help you find the cache. A more detailed hint is supplied below, but don't look unless you're really stumped!
