18 A Walk in the Garden-Pier Gates to Dan Traditional Cache
Hidden : 4/2/2007
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

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CACHE INFORMATION:
The cache is an ammo box covered with black material and placed at the coordinates above which are on the North side of Lough Dan. To reach the Pier Gates from Dublin take the Military Road to Sally Gap and turn left toward Roundwood to arrive at the Gates on your right. Alternatively travel out from Dublin on the N11 and go right at Kilmacanogue driving past the Sugarloaf toward Roundwood. At a sign saying 5K to Roundwood turn right toward Sallygap and arrive at the Pier Gates on the left shortly after the Wicklow Way signs.
It is possible to reach this from several other routes, other than the one suggested here, but they are mostly boggy, tricky walks which would more than likely take at least as much time. The route chosen is by far the most scenic. To avoid the many muggles that can frequent this lovely area I would suggest that you pick a quiet time other than weekends.

When I placed this cache, with my wife Joan, I intended that people should walk to it from the Pier Gates (N53 05.782 W006 15.069) which is a well known resting point on the Wicklow Way. There is some parking at that point or nearby and it takes about 45 minutes to get from there to the cache (especially if a slight shortcut is taken at N53 05.909 W006 15.565). Add a little more time for the haul up on the way back. Start by going through the side gate at the entrance, avoiding the private estate to the left. You descend on a tarmac road to the short cut above, (you should be able to see Lough Dan in the distance) then follow the track down till it meets the road again. If you prefer you could add a little by staying on the road. The tarmac disappears and becomes a track which later becomes a grassy path. You should pass two stiles, one stone and one timber. You should cross two wooden bridges and go through two old gates. Please be sure to close them behind you. When you reach the old building that is guarded by a great oak stay to the right of the wall.

I placed the cache at 7.00am on a beautiful sunny April morning and believe me the effort was more than worthwhile. Just about everything that magnificent County Wicklow has to offer may be encountered on this medium length walk deep into a glacially created glen. Fabulous scenery of mountains, river and forest are home to hundreds of deer. We saw a peregrine falcon, a fox, larks, dippers and various finches including some glorious Goldfinches among the many other creatures of the wild. For us it was a truly spectacular morning walk.

NO DOGS ALLOWED I’M AFRAID AS THIS IS A NATURE RESERVE!!


Lough Dan (Loch Deán in Irish) is a boomerang-shaped ribbon lake near Roundwood, County Wicklow, Ireland. It is a popular area for hikers and kayakers and lies very close to the Wicklow Way.
Lough Tay feeds it via the Clohoge river from the north and it is drained to the south by the Avonmore.
Most of the lake is surrounded by private lands, though the northwest corner is part of the Wicklow National Park.

The Cloghoge River flows out of Lough Tay and into Lough Dan. The Inchavore River flows in another glacial valley from the west to enter Lough Dan. The scenery around here is spectacular. The valley floor at 230m is very fertile. The remains of lazy beds, which were ridges built for growing vegetables, cover the valley. They are evidence of higher population levels in the mountains in the past. Arctic Char Salvelinus alpinus was last recorded in the lake in 1988. This fish is the one of the oldest inhabitants of Ireland but a recent survey found no trace of them, indicating the species is now extinct in Co. Wicklow. There are Peregrine Falcon sites on the steep cliffs overlooking the lake on the eastern side, and some lovely broad-leaved woodland in the Inchavore Valley. The Cloghoge and Inchavore Rivers are rich in invertebrates and breeding Dippers and Grey Wagtails can be seen around the river. Herons and Cormorants roost near the mouth of the Cloghoge River.
Do not start the trek without all the proper mountain rain gear, waterproof boots and the guidance material, compass, map, GPSr with mapping etc.

Please note that all parts of this cache are hiked at your own risk. The cache owner takes no responsibility of any sort for any reason including accidents or mishaps.


Do not start the trek without all the proper mountain rain gear, waterproof boots and the guidance material, compass, map, GPSr with mapping etc.

Please note that all parts of this cache are hiked at your own risk. The cache owner takes no responsibility of any sort for any reason including accidents or mishaps.


Please be aware that cars parked in areas close to walking trails are vulnerable and they can be vandalised or stolen. Unfortunately this is an ongoing problem which is extremely difficult to solve, so there is a risk involved. I have heard recently that many hiker groups are parking at the nearest population centres and getting taxis to and from the start points at very little expense.

Please observe the country code to the best of your ability. Local landowners often generously allow access to upland areas across or through parts of their private property. Please, please be conscious of this and return the courtesy by keeping all gates closed, immediately and not on your way back!. Please use the gates where appropriate but if you have to climb over them then use the hinged side ONLY.
Please do not cause any damage of any sort to fences or barriers along the way.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Onax bs tbefr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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