Please read this important message from the property owner before proceeding to the “Old Homestead” Geocache information. “Please don’t cross ridges to get to Karen’s Falls. Begin at the Preserve entrance at the house and use trail maps provided to determine the best route to the Geocache location.” Note: the trail maps are located in a mailbox on the front porch. The link, http://home.comcast.net/~tlmartinsr/CaneCreekGeocache.html , will take you to an online version which may be copied and printed.
There have been “seekers” crossing adjoining properties to get to the Geocaches on Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. This has been a problem especially with the Karen’s Falls cache because of its location. As responsible Geocachers, we should never go on private property without the owner’s permission. While the owners of the Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve welcome visitors to the Preserve and have given permission for this Geocache as well as the other three, they cannot and do not give permission to enter the Preserve by crossing adjoining private property.
The Old Homestead
The remains of the chimney are all that is left of this house in the woods. According to relatives of the family that used to live there, the house was abandoned in 1917 or 1918 because of Typhoid fever. There is a natural spring close by and this may have been the source of the typhoid. Many years later, the property came into the hands of loggers and much damage was done to the land. The last logging in the area was in the early 1990’s. The property was purchased by the current owners in 2000 and became part of the Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve. Now, most of the scars of logging have disappeared and the area is returning to the way nature intended it to be.
Today, the Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve is more than 700 acres and is open to the public. There are more than 15 miles of hiking trails, a picnic area, several waterfalls, beautiful bluffs and a multitude of flora ranging from common to rare. I have seen turkeys, snakes, deer, armadillos and other wildlife in this beautiful preserve. There have been two sightings of a Mountain Lion on this property. There are several Geocaches on the property other than this one. All have been placed with permission from the owners. One is at Karen’s Falls – about a 7 mile round trip hike from the parking area. Another is at the scenic Point and a third is near the Linden Meadows picnic area. One can have a wonderful day enjoying nature, hiking and looking for the Geocaches. The main purpose of this Geocache is to enjoy nature and the beauty along the trail to the Old Homestead. Therefore, I placed the Old Homestead Geocache at the old chimney where it should be easy to find once one reaches its location. If you find JS, just to the right of the old chimney, you will know you that you are in the right place. It is about a 4 ½ - 5 mile roundtrip to the Old Homestead cache. If you do go all the way to Karen’s Falls, I recommend that you take the Under Bluff trail on your return. There are maps of the Cane Creek Nature Preserve in the mailbox on the front porch and I recommend using one. Please return the map to the mailbox when you leave. Also, please be sure to take water and snacks along with you. I don’t recommend drinking from the streams you will encounter nor do I recommend drinking from the Big Spring although it is probably safe. Please remember, other than the cache contents, “Leave only footprints and take only memories and photos”.
Directions to Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve: From Hwy 72 in Tuscumbia, go south on Frankfort Rd. Please note that Frankfort Rd. runs under Hwy 72. The ramp to Frankfort Rd. (N34 42.711, W87 43.236) is immediately west of the Co-op. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto Frankfort Rd at N34 42.676, W087 43.378. Go 7.5 miles to Loop Rd. (N34 37.391, W87 46.974). About 700 feet after turning west onto Loop Rd., the road forks with the paved road curving to the right and a gravel road veering off to the left. Take the gravel road. Follow the gravel road about 2500 feet to the entrance to Cane Creek Nature Preserve. Hold your breath as you pass the chicken houses on the left if you want to avoid the odor. Continue on into the Nature Preserve and park in the designated area at N34 37.335, W87 47.662. Initial cache contents: 1. Mini Maglite 2. Tonka bulldozer 3. Camouflage cord 4. Emergency blanket 5. Darleena White Jeep TB 6. 2 - Bottle opener keyrings 7. Log book and writing instrument.
FTF IS KEYMAKER! CONGRATULATIONS, KEYMAKER, ON NUMBER 5332!!!
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