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GCKA74

Traditional CacheStage Stop

A cache by OCBTracker (adopted by holazola)     Hidden: 8/15/2004

Size: Size: Regular (Regular)     Difficulty: 1.5 out of 5     Terrain: 2 out of 5 (1 is easiest, 5 is hardest)


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N/S ? ??.??? W/E ??? ??.??? 
In California, United States

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A 6x6x3 camo'd tin cache next to a running spring along the old stagecoach route through San Marcos pass.
A few years ago, Wells Fargo and a number of other businesses sponsored a series of signs through San Marcos pass to identify the stagecoach route. The road is less used now due to a rather large bridge that covers the canyon, but sometimes taking the road less traveled brings new enlightenment about not only the pioneer past, but good food as well.

Cold Spring was a daytime stop for the Wells Fargo coaches that traveled the long and dusty route from San Francisco to Los Angeles. It was a place where the horses could find refreshment while the people refueled with both food and drink.

Even today, it is a nice break from the long road. Cold Spring Tavern (just one spring, don't call it 'Cold Springs', they're rather touchy about that...) is one of the more eclectic stops we've always had on our busy schedule. Several times a year, we head up towards Lake Cachuma and Santa Ynez, and every time we enjoy both fine dining and the quick lunch. Evening menus bring out the roasts of wild boar and venison whereas on weekend afternoons there's roasted tri-tip with a mustard horseradish sauce that is to die for.

As a friend once said, it is the location that draws as much as the food, and we couldn't agree more. It can also be a rather busy place, but the cache is helpfully in an area where people usually don't gather, and is somewhat shielded from the muggles. The groundskeeper and management (as well as quite a few of the servers) know of the cache and the location. If you happen to notice any trash nearby (such as the odd napkin), be a good geo-cacher and toss it into the trashcan if you head over to the tavern or restaurant.

The hint is a spoiler, so you might not want to decode it unless you really get stuck. It is a canyon, different GPSrs might not like the location. I will note that the namesake of the cache gets you about twenty feet from the cache location, so just let your geosenses go. That is, if you don't get caught up watching the stream.

Night or day, the cache is available. I'm not sure which is better, we tend to love the spot no matter what the time. But a flashlight will definitely help anytime! No adventure passes are required to park and get the cache. When you are done, PLEASE replace the cache container in it's original location. Thanks!

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

20sg F sebz Jryyf Snetb znexre (cnenyyry gb fgernz)
Haqre n ynetr obhyqre. Irel pybfr gb gerr.
(Decrypted Hints)

Find...

Cold Spring Tavern, daylight shot

This is the dining room; the tavern itself is just east of this location. The cache is further east than the tavern.
small_tavern.JPG

The Road Less Traveled

Above is the main highway, below is the old Stagecoach Road.

Logged Visits (141 total. Visit the Gallery (29 images))

Found it107     Didn't find it21     Write note9     Temporarily Disable Listing1     Enable Listing1     Needs Maintenance2     

Warning. Spoilers may be included in the descriptions or links.
Cache find counts are based on the last time the page generated.

 February 3 by mk21cb (444 found)
Looked and found. Then we had lunch

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 January 31 by cache crop (4102 found)
We'd been told by a local that we really needed to come here on a Sunday, so we did. We had a lovely time getting here (by the longest way possible) having beer and sandwiches and taking photos of a million Harley Davidsons. Great spot and a good hide. Thanks..that was so much fun.

View This Log
 January 10 by MauiTiger (642 found)
Too many bikers here; will try again.

View This Log
 January 2 by redfox435cat (37 found)
the BBQ smelled good but we already brought a lunch, I think I stuck my hand in that hole twice before we found it

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 January 2 by jpmei1981 (54 found)
good hiding spot near tree under boulders

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Photo 100_0124

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Current Time: 2/10/2010 12:25:39 AM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) (8:25 AM GMT)
Last Updated: 2/6/2010 6:56:28 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) (2:56 AM GMT)
Rendered: From Database
Coordinates are in the WGS84 datum


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