Please put the cache back exactly
as you find it with the sticker UP.
Not many people use this trail, so it shouldn't be too hard to
get the cache and move away without being seen. The cache was
placed during a VERY busy time and I saw only 3 people on the trail
in about an hour.
Please take time to use the lower trails and see the falls- it
would be a bummer to come here just for a cache!
This cache is located at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. We
placed this cache in honor of our 20th wedding anniversary.
Cumberland Falls is a popular honeymoon spot and it holds
special significance to us and I’m sure to many others.
Cumberland Falls is one of the greatest geological wonders of
North America.
The Falls is about 68 feet high and between 125 and 300 feet
wide depending on the river level. The water flow is up to 30,000
cubic feet per second.
Cumberland Falls is one of only a few places in the world where
a moonbow can be seen with predictable regularity. A moonbow
results when the full moon shines on the mist below the falls. It
is similar to a rainbow, except that it is seen at night and the
colors are usually not as well defined due to the dimmer nature of
the moonlight.
A Short History of Cumberland Falls*
The Cumberland River was named by Dr. Thomas Walker in 1750
after the Duke of Cumberland “to whose character the amazing
crookedness of the stream bore a startling resemblance.”
The falls was discovered by “accident” in 1780, as Zachariah
Green bailed out and watched his poplar boat go over the falls.
In the early 1800’s the Falls was beginning to become a popular
sight seeing destination, especially due to the discovery of the
moonbow. However, the extreme difficulty in reaching the Falls made
it a sight seen only by a few rich and hearty people.
In the early days, the allure of silver and the legend of the
Jonathan Swift Silver Mine led some to life-long quests for the
legendary riches. Several men even played a scam on unsuspecting
city fellers, selling them shares in a non-existent silver mine at
the Falls.
The falls was a popular private tourist attraction in the early
1900’s with the construction of the “Cumberland Falls Hotel”, later
renamed the “Brunson Inn” and subsequently called the “Moonbow
Inn”.
During these early days the first “geocaching” (or perhaps
better called “letterboxing” since I assume they did not use GPS
coordinates) was recorded as guests desiring illegal booze would
place a note under the boardwalk at the hotel and someone would
replace the note with a fruit jar full of “corn squeezins”, for
which the “letterboxer” would trade a little cold “cache”.
In 1928 the land was purchased by Thomas Coleman DuPont and
donated to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to be forever used as a
State Park- the third KY State park. It was officially dedicated in
1931.
Shortly thereafter, good roads and 20 miles of nature trail, as
well as many of the present-day buildings were constructed and the
Falls became one of the most popular tourist destinations in
KY.
There have been many fires at the park which have destroyed many
of the original structures.
As you check out the falls, take a little time to explore the
ruins of the old beach house and retaining walls (use the low
trail). See how much nature is reclaiming the land after only a few
decades of abandonment. It takes a long time, but nature reclaims
it own. We need do nothing but leave it alone (and quit ADDING
trash and pollutants!) and future generations will only know of
these solid concrete structures by archaeological digs.
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I have cancelled the wedding theme and trading of any "family
friendly" type of items is allowed. Please remember that caching is
a family activity and the cache may be enjoyed by people of all
ages. So, please do not place any items that you wouldn’t want a
stranger explaining to your 4-year old daughter. "Adult"
items are forbidden in this cache.
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* History derived from “The History of Cumberland Falls”
by Jeanie McConnell available at the park gift shop.