It is recommended you access the cache from east side of the bridge
When Route 70 (originally Route 40, renumbered Route 70 in 1953) was being planned in the late 1920's, Medford farmers were concerned because the new highway would cut through their pastures (one farm ran from Union Street on the south side of Rt. 70 to Sharp's Run on the north side, just past this cache). The prime pastures were on the north side of Rt. 70, while the barn was on the south side. Heavy traffic would make crossing the highway difficult and dangerous for the herds and for the motorists. So the state agreed to build tunnels under the roadbed so that the cows could safely pass from one side of the highway to the other.
This tunnel, near the intersection of Rt. 70 and Rt. 541, can be easily reached from either side. The original tunnel was about 6' wide and 8' high, but after many years, the bottom has filled in with muck and sand, and there is less clearance now. In addition, nearby construction has created drainage ditches which pass through the tunnel leaving a few inches of water running through it at times. At one point, Medford ran a water main through the tunnel, and one section of that pipe still remains. In 1996, when the state eliminated the Medford Circle, Rt. 70 was widened, and the tunnel was widened as well. On the north end of the tunnel (westbound side), the tunnel is marked "1996," the year the road was widened.
It is best to park at The Junction shopping center. The cache is located on state land adjacent to the highway. A small ditch is easily crossed. There are a few thorns in the area, but not too bad. After rains, this area can be muddy. You can park on the eastbound side of Rt. 70 and cross under the highway through the tunnel just like the cows did over 70 years ago, but be prepared to walk in muck and a few inches of water, and keep your head low. The eastbound entrance is between Rita's Water Ice and St. Mary of the Lakes school. Other tunnels exist, but that's another cache in the making ...
The cache container is a small lock & lock with a log book and a few small trade items. Bring a pen just in case. Be sure to cover the cache back up when you are done.
Cow tunnel, westbound (north) side
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Looking through the tunnel from the 1996 extension
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Eastbound (south) side of tunnel from ca. 1931
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