Shortest Distance to Cache
(Using Trails):
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about a mile, I didn't check.
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Park Fees:
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None, or $6.00/night for primitive campers
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Dogs:
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Allowed on a leash.
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Bicycles/Horses
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No/No
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In Preparation Canyon State Park (another park not many Omahans are familiar with). The terrain of this cache is similar to HitchCache. Just as hilly, but may not be as long of a walk depending on where you park. The last 100 yards are very steep and will be a major problem after a rain.
To get there from Omaha - you could take I-29 north to the Little Sioux exit, travel east, navigating your way through Little Sioux, up past scenic Murray Hill (I've never stopped, but the drive by reading is: N41 50.364 W96 00.005), take the windy road to Pisgah, turn north on 183/L20 (see note on 10/24/2003), and follow 183/L20 a few miles north to the signs for Preparation Canyon State Park. The only problem with this route is, except for the last 10 minutes or so, it's boring.
If you're coming from the Omaha area, and you believe that getting there is half the fun, then half the fun begins before you park you car!
Need for Speed: Loess Hills
For an enjoyable drive, with plenty of autumn scenery and a chance to shift some gears: Take I-80 east, past Mall of the Bluffs, to the Oakland/Iowa Western Community College exit. Go west (towards Council Bluffs), and turn north on 191. Follow this a couple of miles until you come to L34. Turn left onto L34 and have some fun! But beware, this is farm country and you may encounter some slow moving farm machinery or some slow moving "sunday drivers". There is only one stop sign along the way (at Beebeetown) and I've never encountered the law on this road, but that doesn't mean that you won't (and I'm not telling you to break the law).
Once past Beebeetown, keep an eye out for F58. Turn left (west) on F58 and follow it to highway 30.
Turn left on highway 30 and take it into Missouri Valley. In Mo. Valley, go past the junction for south highway 183/L20 (need to confirm L20, see note from 10/24/2003). You want to go north (right) on highway 183/L20(?). This road is a little narrower and more beat up than L34 (note-resurfaced in 2003), but still fun to drive. As you drive north on 183, you'll need to make a right turn to stay on 183/L20. This happens shortly after the junction with highway 127 east.
Follow 183/L20 north through Pisgah, and look for the signs to Preparation Canyon State Park a few miles north of town.
Scenic Spots:
- In the park, near the backpacking parking lot: N41 53.622 W95 53.820
- Outside of the park, drive to this one: N41 54.338 W95 56.72
Notes
- If you want a little bit longer hike, and want to see some prairie as well as forest, then park at the backpacking parking lot at: N41 53.331 W95 53.718. You get to this by turning left on Peach Street off of 183 at N41 53.252 W95 53.524. Note that your round trip to the cache will be between 3 and 4 miles if you opt for this route.
- Primitive camping is allowed for $6.00/night. There are 8 spots (though nine were on the map the last I checked). You'll need to bring your own water.
- No park fees if you're not camping
- Maps are usually available at: N41 53.707 W95 55.030 and the backpacking parking lot, N41 53.331 W95 53.718. But, the bins were empty when I placed the cache.
- Water is not available during the autumn and winter months (it's already shut off), I'm not sure about the summer.
- It is hilly.