East End Aerie Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(regular)
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With so many pigeons (GCEF59) and penguins (GC591F) afoot on the west end and middle of House Mountain, PsyProfs thought it might be good to bring a bird of prey. Thus is born East End Aerie, situated very close to the east overlook of House Mountain State Natural Area (visit link) on private property (Thank you, Zachary Henry, for permission to place this on your property!). (Topo map can be found at (visit link)
From the east overlook (N 36 07.319 W 083 45.383) one can see Clinch Mountain 2.5 miles to the northeast, to which House Mountain was once joined. About a half mile east of the mountain is the 1,751 foot broadcasting tower once owned and operated by WBIR-TV, now broadcasting WIMZ FM. This tower is the tallest man-made structure in Tennessee (visit link)
About five miles north of the overlook sits Luttrell (visit link) a historic Tennessee town boasting a population of about 1000. Kathleen Graves writes of Luttrell, “Luttrell was chartered as a city in 1925. Earlier known as Cedar Ford, the town name was changed to Luttrell in 1890. In the 1870 census the population of Cedar Ford was 808. The large number of residents was due to the opening of a marble quarry and a lime kiln, and later, in 1887, to the building of the Powell Valley Railroad, which ran through the town and served as a shipping point for the surrounding area. Luttrell marble was noted for its great beauty and, of course, durability. Both the Tennessee State Capitol and some buildings in the nation’s capitol have this marble in their structure. The rail line is now a part of Southern Railroad and Luttrell is once again the site of major industry” (source, (visit link) Famous sons of Luttrell include Kenny Chesney (visit link) (visit link) and Chet Atkins (visit link) (visit link)
Follow the crest trail to the east overlook. On reaching the overlook, bear off to the left, about another 25 to 40 yards. You will be starting downhill, descending through some rock formations and hooking more to the left as you descend. When you reach the coordinates, step down off the rock and you are there. Please replace it like you find it.
Cache is a black ammo can under pine needles and a low rock overhang. Initial contents include some pottery leaf spoon rests we made, as well as some pottery necklaces we made, some bouncy balls, a couple of plastic jeeps, and a CD of Chet Atkins, with Mark Knopfler.
Please do not cut across the switchbacks on the trail, as this is causing terrible erosion. Be nice to the four-wheelers if you encounter some, because part of the trail to the east end crosses their property.
There are two other caches on House Mountain--Pigeon Perch (GCEF59), and The Penguin's Roost (GC591F), which is a multicache. The beautiful woods and spectacular views make this a very worthwhile trio to go after. To the north you can see the Cumberland Mountains. To the south, you can see the Great Smoky Mountains. Thus, on a clear day you can see across Tennessee to Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgrc qbja, ghea nebhaq, ybbx haqre