farther up da chutes Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is located on public land near the Deschutes River State Recreation Area bike path. The cache is 25 miles round trip from the parking lot and you will need a mountain bike, horse, or boat to get to the cache. There is a primitive campground near the cache, which makes this a perfect overnighter. You should be in reasonably good shape before going on this trip. Count on some bushwhacking and steep walking . No technical climbing is involved. The cache is in small ammo can.
Finding this cache and it's sibling, "Up Da Chutes" is an excellent way of exploring one of the most spectacular bike paths in Oregon, located in the Deschutes River State Recreation Area. The path follows an old railroad bed as it winds its way through the 1500' gorge of the lower Deschutes River. The line was abandoned after the competing railroad across the river reached Bend and central Oregon first. Count on seeing lots of wildlife, deserted farmsteads, railroad structures, and fantastic scenery. The path is closed to motorized vehicles, and you will often be alone to enjoy the sounds of birds, the river, and the occasional freight train. Spring, fall, and winter are the best times for this trip as summers can be very hot. This is desert county so watch out for rattlesnakes.
Start your trip at Deschutes River Campground located where the Deschutes joins the Columbia River. There is no exit from I-84 at the park. Coming from the west, take the Celilo exit east of The Dalles and proceed east on the frontage road. Coming from the east, take the Biggs exit and follow the frontage road west. There is a fee for day-use and/or overnight parking in the park. The park is open all year, but the water system is turned off in Winter, so bring water from home.
The bike path starts on the dirt road to your left as you enter the campground, near a fire danger sign. You will be on this road for the next 11 miles. The surface is generally compacted gravel or dirt, but there are
some rougher sections that require a fat-tire mountain bike. The grade is gentle except for one short, steep hill in each direction.
The farther you go up the canyon, the nicer it gets. You pass an abandoned farm with several structures and an old railroad water tower as you get near the cache. This area is my favorite part and is best explored from a primitive campground (N 45 31.2117 W 120 50.884) located just downstream from the abandoned farm, or about ten miles up the road. The campground has a good pit toilet but no potable water. I purify water from the river with a filter when I camp there. Saddam Hussain playing cards, a large quartz crystal, old political buttons, a camera to take your picture at the cache, and other good stuff await the first finders.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
sbyybj gur fvqr ebnq ng jngre gbjre hagvy vg raqf,, xrrc tbvat gb oheag qbja pnova, gura pebff perrx, gura pyvzo evqtr gb gur gbc