Bla'gard's Ruse 5 - Lime Rock Cascade Traditional Geocache
OGBO: The time has come to retire the Bla'Gard's Ruse series. All containers have been retrieved. Thanks to the many visitors to each, especially those who visited all in the series.
Bla'gard's Ruse 5 - Lime Rock Cascade
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Small container. Bring your own writing implement. Room for small
items.
One of a series of caches along one of the more scenic trails in
the South Bay. The trail is the Rhus Ridge trail to the top of
Black Mountain. Park in the Rhus Ridge parking lot at
N37o 21.121' W122o 8.273'. This is a small
lot on Rhus Ridge Road, just off Moody Road behind Foothill
College. It is best to come here very early in the morning, since
this is a popular running and hiking trail, which means the lot is
usually full by noon (and sometimes by 8AM). Visiting all caches in
this series involves a hike of 5 miles and 2300 feet of elevation
gain to the top. But it’s all downhill on the 5 mile return to the
parking lot. On much of this trail, you will not obtain WAAS
assistance, and along many parts, canyon and canopy effects will
reduce the accuracy of your fixes, unless you understand how to
properly use your receiver in canyon and canopy. Many receivers
will experience accuracy problems in the vicinity of this cache,
although the two used to obtain the coordinates had no problems
with either the old or new placement. Understanding how multipath
affects fixes and skill in using your receiver will put you within
arms-reach of the placement.
Many people seem to believe that all of the rock in this area is
sandstone or mudstone. In fact, there is much limestone, as this
cascade demonstrates in its exposure of the rock and flowstone.
During the rainy season, the cascade is quite spectacular, though
during recent dry winters, it has been rare to see the cascade.
There are several other falls and cascades along this section of
trail that can be surprisingly large during the rains. They are
mostly dry during June through September, and so are generally
overlooked.
The original container and placement were inspired by the location,
but the container was vandalized. The new container and placement
are of a different style and in a slightly different location,
though within the error circle for many receivers under the tree
cover. Old coordinates were N 37° 19.982 W 122° 08.625, new ones
are N 37° 19.978 W 122° 08.620
Note that the closing time for the Open Space is one half hour
after sunset.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgnaq snpvat gur pnfpnqr, gura gnxr frireny Fgrcf gb gur Yrsg.