This is not a normal micro container but is very recognizable. The cache title refers to the micro container, and is in "plain sight" if you can spot it. Nothing needs to be moved or removed to access the container. Bring you own PEN, maybe a flashlight, write small, and re-assemble and place it as you found it.
The micro is located IN a spring house (see above with HikerBob) at Laumeier Park. And yes, I used to ride dirt bikes there. The coordinates above will get close enough to spot the spring. Park hours are 8AM to sunset, 7 days/week. MapQuest indicates the cache is located outside of the park boundary. It is not.
All the trails are paved or hardpacked and wide, and you won't need to leave any trails to get to the spring house. It's about 1/4 mile each way and a nice loop is to park at the far end of the lot and follow the paved trail towards the large red tubes. You will see an outdoor stage on your left; take the paved trail in that direction. Just before the stage there is a hardpacked trail on your left. Follow that to the spring house. When leaving, keep to your right and it will lead you back to the lot on a different trail.
Springhouse Details!
Below is some infomation taken from the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor website:
The landscape of Laumeier Park began to take place sometime before 1916. Prior to this time Mr. Joseph Griesedieck, owner of Falstaff Brewing and president of Vahlaus Reality owned the land. He had the old stone springhouse built over Red Bud Springs, which he also named. This interesting historical feature is unique even though the spring has bypassed the structure by flowing through a lower outlet. Water does flow in the actual springhouse after heavy rains. The terrain under Laumeier is karst. Many small caves and springs are present in the area, although some were destroyed during the construction of nearby interstate highways I-44 and I-270. Although the exact date of construction is not known, this springhouse predates all other buildings and is the oldest known permanent structure within the park.
Don't Miss This!
If you take the recommended way from the cache to the car, make sure you stop and see Pool complex: Orchard Valley. (See attached pictures) It consists of an old in-ground concrete pool approx. 50' by 200'. Back at the shallow end are some old remains of concrete structures that have been enhanced with wood framing and observations decks. Parts of old rock walls run through the area. It's reminiscent of the "Glass Factory" except it is all cleaned up and has nice groomed trails throughout the area. The sign post on the trails leading to this area is labeled "MISS". The coords of the deep end of the pool are N38° 33.028 & W090° 24.729.
Below is some infomation taken from the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor website:
The ruin of a swimming pool complex, once part of an estate named "Orchard Valley", which belonged to the Hedenkamp family, is also part of Laumeier. This area, in the northeast part of the park was once a cow pasture and stock pond. The Hedenkamps built a house nearby and converted the pond into a stone and concrete swimming pool. An article, "Old Pond Converted Into A Delightful Swimming Pool" published in the August 4, 1934 edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat highlighted the project. One can tell that this large stone and concrete swimming pool was spectacular in its time. During the early 1980's, artist Mary Miss built decking and trellises of treated lumber around pool to create her work titled "Orchard Valley."
See the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor website at www.hsoc.org for more information.
