Kennedy Falls Cache Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is placed at a little known, large waterfall on the North Fork of the Blackwater River.
The North Fork Canyon is a beautiful place despite of and because of the polluted water. The rocks have been stained orange from the acid drainage from the mines and coke ovens upstream from the falls. The area is being cleaned up and the water is starting to run cleaner. I've spent some time photographing Douglas Falls and working my way downstream to the other falls. I kept hearing about another large waterfall that's been named Kennedy after on of the first explorers to the area. I finally found it and the trail down to it. It is a beautiful area.
To get there, you have to drive, hike or bike down the old abandoned rail grade that branches off Douglas Road. The road is rough and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. There are large holes and some small ponds on the road. To get all the way to the parking area at Douglas Falls, you have to drive across the old railroad trestle. There are some rather large gaps in the ties that people put river rocks in to try and fill them. I've been across it in my Festiva but wouldn't really recommend it. The road ends at a gate above Douglas Falls the trail is hike or bike after that and runs all the way down to Hendricks. The trailhead to Kennedy is about .25 mile down the main trail. The beginning of trail is currently hidden by a field of stinging nettle which adds to the fun. Look for a group of small trees with some railroad ties scattered among them and leave the trail there. The trai will be to your left when you go through the trees. It's a little used, unmarked trail but isn't too hard to follow. It will bring you to the top of the falls. From there, you'll see the trail heading downstream and down a small cliff. The trail is steep and can be dangerous if it's wet. There's a nice pool below the falls and a rock field to walk out and look at it. Watch walking on the orange rocks if they are wet. They are very slippery.
Reception is poor down in the canyon. I took 10 or so readings and got something different every time so I'll leave a very specific hint. I would zero out in front of the falls and then again at the cache site. The cache is a 50 cal ammo can. Experienced hikers won't find the hike all that difficult. The high terrain rating is in case the trail is wet and to let less experienced hikers to know what they are in for. The North Fork Canyon is home to timber rattlesnakes so keep an eye out. I haven't seen any but know someone who has seen two.
Update: Hurricane Sandy did a lot of damage to the area. There are a lot of downed trees and limbs that will make this cache a bit harder to get to.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jura lbh ner snpvat gur snyyf, ybbx gb lbhe yrsg sbe n ynetr gerr jvgu n oebxra bss gerr orfvqr vg. Gur pnpur vf va gur fznyy pyrnevat va gur eubqbqraqeba oruvaq gur gerr va n ubyr orfvqr n ynetr ebpx.