Photo from Clearwater Rob’s log of October 23, 2008
This linear multi cache will take you past multiple gators. Alligators are wild animals and should be treated as such. Although some of the gators you will pass may seem docile they should not be approached.
This cache consists of four individual stages and a final cache. The easiest way to do this one would be to launch at Morris Bridge Park and take out at Trout Creek Park. This will require a second vehicle or a shuttle. There will be a short backtrack. The one-way distance is short enough (about 5 miles) to allow for a return trip back to the launch site at Morris Bridge Park if you use one vehicle. There is a commercial canoe rental business that runs self-guided trips along this section of the river.
At each stage you will find a match container that will contain coordinates for the next. If you are in the right place on the water, you can actually see the first four stages from your boat, although you may not realize that you are looking at them. The final is a water bottle. Bring your own pen to sign the log. Although all stages are located within 100 feet of the water you will need to exit your watercraft in order to access them. There should be a suitable area to disembark near each stage. There may be a short portage before stage 3 depending on water levels. And yes, some stages are a little off the beaten path. Most stages are located under heavy tree canopy; therefore do not expect the coordinates to be extremely accurate.
Stage 1 is located on the “north” side of the river, Stage 2 on the “south” side, Stage 3 on the “east” side, Stage 4 and the final are on the “west” side.
WARNING
There is a very large gator that lives between stage 3 and stage 4. He/she has a great out of the way spot to call home (about .2 miles beyond Stage 3). This gator has been eating well. As I paddled past him/her, sticking to the far shore as best I could, I estimated this gator to be 10 feet long. When it slipped into the water I did not waste any time in continuing on. Should you see this gator and decide to turn back it is still possible to finish the cache by approaching stage 4 and the final by land. It is about a mile walk (one way) from the parking at Trout Creek Park and does not require much bushwhacking. No need to get wet should you walk.
BE SAFE
Alligators can be dangerous animals. Do not bring your dog on this trip. Gators love to eat dogs.
PLEASE
Tuck the attached water bottle back into the deep hole so that it and the wire is not visible. Muggles do visit this area at times.
Congratulations to m^3 the most excellent first finder of this cache.