GCD2A2 Sunset Rocks at Michaux (Traditional Cache) in Pennsylvania, United States created by Zinnware

This cache has been archived.

Zinnware: According to the agreement with DCNR, I am archiving this cache. Thanks to Geometeacher in joining me for the final retrieval. See photos of the water falls and skink.

Zinnware

GCD2A2 ▼

A cache by Zinnware Message this owner

Hidden : 2/9/2003

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

DNCR has given me permission to place this cache util 7/10/2006.
Click here to see the DCNR rules and guidelines for placing caches in Pennsylvania.
It’s purpose is to bring you to another scenic view from massive quartzite rock outcroppings and learn more about the Michaux State Forest.

Parking and Trails:

There are a few options for hiking into the cache.
Trail Option 1 - Trail from Old Shippensburg Road Terrain Rating 4.0. Although steep, this trail is the easier of the two trails because is does not involve climbing over big rocks. Park at N40 02.324 W077 19.462 which is at the end of Old Shippensburg Road. Entrance to the road is located just west of the Park Office/Visitor Center on Route 233 at Pine Grove Furnace. Maps of the area can be obtained at the Visitor Center.

The Blue Blazed Sunset Rocks Trail is just across the road from the parking area. You will cross over the Appalachian Trail to find the beginning of the blue blazed trail. The trailhead to the cache area is 0.60 miles and the walk will take about and hour and a half for the round trip. After 200 yards on the blue blaze, bear left where the trail splits. This is the direct route to the top and you will climb 400 feet in elevation.

Trail Option 2 - Trail from Michaux Road Terrain Rating 4.5. Park at N40 01.900 W077 20.200 which is along the Michaux Road. Do not block driveways when parking along the road. This trail is for the adventurer. It has a higher difficulty rating because the trail follows a narrow ridge of rocks. The parking coordinates put you right on the blue blazed trail along the road. When looking south, follow the blue blazed trail southeast into the woods. The trail length from the parking area to the cache is 0.95 miles. This is by far the more scenic trail and contains vistas along the way. This is not recommended for small children since moving from rock to rock can be beyond their reach and step. This trail is not as steep as option 1.

Trail Option 3 - The loop
Try both trails. Parking is best at option 1 along Old Shippensburg Road. I recommend taking the Sunset Rocks blue blazed trail and continuing strait at the 200 yard intersection. Continue on this trail until you intersect with Michaux Road. Turn left onto Michaux Road and pick up the blue blaze trail down the road and on your left. Follow the trail to the cache. On the way back, turn right from the top of the ridge and follow the trail north and down the steep hill to the parking area. Total roundtrip distance is about 2.3 miles.

The Cache

Once you get close to the cache, stay on the ridge. For safety purposes, it is not necessary to climb down rock faces to find this cache. Use extreme care attempting this cache in the rain or snow. The ridge is know as Little Rocky Ridge and the trail and rocks are slippery when wet or covered in snow.

Michaux is pronounced “mish-oh”. The state forest is named in honor of Andre Michaux, a French botanist, dispatched by the King and Queen of France in 1785 to gather plants for the Royal Gardens.

Michaux State Forest comprises of more than 85,000 acres. From the mid-eighteenth century to the early twentieth century, large iron companies owned the lands that are now the Michaux State Forest. Iron furnaces processed iron ore, dug from open pits, into "pig iron", which was forged into iron tools, stoves, kettles, and a variety of other implements. The largest iron furnaces were located at Caledonia, Mont Alto and Pine Grove Furnace. Cannon balls made from these furnaces were used during the Revolutionary War.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Fgnl ba gur evqtr. Ybpngrq oruvaq onex va/haqre n ebpx perivpr ba fbhgu snpr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)