Skip to content

Portola Treasures Multi-cache

This cache has been archived.

Sierra Hikers: Sorry I don't have time to maintain this cache anymore.

More
Hidden : 7/27/2004
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

The cache is not at the posted coordinates. Please use the information given at the first location to reach the final cache. It is in a small container approx. 2x6 inches.

This trip through the Portola Valley/Woodside area brings you to two historical sites.
The first site is the location of San Mateo County's First Sawmill. The sawmill was on the banks of the Alambique Creek and was similar to the famous Sutter's Mill at Coloma, the site of James Marshall's 1848 gold discovery.
Once you have reached this site you need to read the historical marker to find the next coordinates:

37* 24.aba 122* 1c.dae

a= 1st number of the year the first sawmill was built
b= the month in which the landmark was dedicated
c= 3rd number of the year in which the first sawmill was built
d= middle number of the state registered landmark number
e= number of letters in the last name of the man who built the first sawmill

These coordinates will lead you to the site of the former village of Searsville. Here stood the lumbermen's village of Searsville. Across the road from the monument stood a hotel. The school, store, blacksmith shop, and dwellings were to the southeast, some on the site of the present lake and others overlooking it. These buildings were removed in 1891 as water rose behind the new dam.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gb gur evtug bs gur zbahzrag

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)