This historic trail generally follows the escape route of
Virginia pioneer, Mary Draper Ingles who was a captive of Shawnees
in 1755 at the outset of the French and Indian War. Mary,
accompanied by a captive Dutch settler, found her way back home by
following the Ohio, Kanawha, and New Rivers. (The cache section of
the trail follows a very tiny “river”.) This trail
honors native Americans, American settlers, and all who have
traveled this great east-west corridor in war time and in peace
time through the hills and mountains of the Allegheny plateau
wilderness.
Read more about her 800 mile journey on foot over a six-week
period at (visit
link)
VIEW OF THE CACHE SITE:
The posted coordinates are for the parking area. The cache is
at:
noordenachtendertiggradenzestienpuntachthonderdvijftigvijfminutenwestenéénentachtiggradendrieënveertigpunthonderdtachtigzevenminuten
The Mary Ingles’ saga is the subject of Alexander
Thom’s best-selling and widely acclaimed historical novel
Follow the River available at all WV book stores. WHAT IS
YOUR FAVORITE WV NOVEL?
THIS IS A CHILD FRIENDLY CACHE BUT THE TRAIL WILL BE WET AND
MUDDY IN SPOTS AFTER RAINY WEATHER. IF IN DOUBT, WEAR YOUR
BOOTS.
Cachers are invited to follow the yellow blazes beyond the cache
and explore the Mary Draper Ingles Trail further into Kanawha State
Forest. Please follow the established trail most of the way to the
cache. Off-trail hiking is discouraged as it negatively impacts the
environment.
Special thanks go to the Parks and Recreation Section of the
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for permission to place
this cache in Kanawha State Forest, and to the Mary Ingles Trail
Blazers Chapter of the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association Inc.
for their support and permission to use their brochures.
Initial Contents:
First-To-Find prize (copy of Alexexander Thom’s book
Follow the River and an embroidered patch from the
MITB)
Second-To-Find prize (copy of Follow the River)
Third-To-Find prize (copy of Follow the River)
Copy of MITB brochure for each finder
Fun’n Games Harmonica
First Aid Kit for Kids
Hot Wheels “Brit Speed” Racer
Tonka TC-432 Dump Truck
Deck of Playing Cards
2 Dominos
Wooden Top
Baseball Glove Key Chain
Compass
It’s a Boy Magic Towel
2008 Harley Davidson MDA Pin
3 small Google Eyes
2 large Google Eyes
Smiley Pumpkin Coin Purse
HealthNet Helicopter Pin
Presidents and the First Ladies Fandex Family Field Guide
Geocaching Bracelet
Dog Leash
Huntington Lanyard
Skull and Crossbones Ring
Antoine’s, New Orleans Great American Restaurant Coin
WV Blue and Gold Stress-Reliever Ball
