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The geocache hidden at the posted
coordinates is a regular geocache, however, it is also part of the
Allegheny GeoTrail (AGT), a publicly funded project designed to
promote a pleasant and positive experience and image of the
Allegheny National Forest region and its gateway communities. The
AGT utilizes the growing interest in geocaching to assist both
residents and visitors to the area in learning more about the
unique attractions in the ten participating counties. This cache
contains a unique self inking rubber stamp which you should use to
stamp your Allegheny GeoTrail Passport to verify that you found it.
When you have found a minimum of six AGT caches, you will be
eligible to have your AGT passport validated and receive a
commemorative AGT trackable geocoin at participating locations. You
must have your official AGT passport with you when you find this
cache in order to stamp it. Click on the Allegheny GeoTrail Logo
below to visit the AGT website at www.alleghenygeotrail.com
for complete details and a listing of participating locations where
you may pick up and validate AGT passports to receive your souvenir
geocoin, trackable at www.geocaching.com .
AGT-Forest-Counterfeiter's Den
Cache
Cache is located in the
ANF
First things first I'd like to thank John
Stoneman of
Stoneman and Company
For letting me claim his old Counterfeiter's Den
Cache site
GCMT43
Which has been archived for over a year. Chances are his cache
may
still be there if you feel brave enough to go for it.
I've hid this cache in a much safer easier access spot as I
don't
want to see anyone get hurt.
I'd also like to thank John for letting me use his
history write up of the area.
Thanks also goes out to Christopher S. for relaying the
history to John.
In the area this
cache was placed was a family from Ohio printing bogus money,
or counterfeiting in the early 1900's.
Levi Epstien peddled clothing and shoes from
Sheffield to Clarion.
He was actually selling to the counterfeiting family,
when the Department of Revenue raided the Rocks!
This is really an interesting subject,
unfortunately a Mr.. (John?) Burns,
from Barnes who grew up in Brookston and spent his life
working the old
TV Railroad that ran up the valley, passed away.
He was an authority on the Rocks,
and knew all of the history of the families involved.
I spoke with his nephew and got this story:
"Well after the Civil war, the government
raided a rock outcropping
where a family or gang of counterfeiters was holed
up.
One of the gang members was shot and killed
during the raid, and ensuing gun fight.
There is a long flat stone that hangs over with a flat wall
below it,
underneath it all a stone sticks out maybe a foot.
This small rock has the name of the family
(Hopkins or Hoffman?) carved into it.
The side closest to the RR Tracks may contain a cave
entrance."
I have been told the head of the "gang" was a
woman they called "Maw".
There have been different rumors over the
years about hidden
counterfeiter's press plates and the gun fight that
occurred.
At least to enough to attract people searching out those
plates.
Christopher S.
Depending on how you approach the cache.
You can Bush Whack your way in like I did,
or find the Trail Head which I'm told leads to the rocks.
I was not aware of the trail. The owner of the Oil Well
at which I parked told me about it when I got back to the car.
If you Bush Whack I'd rate the terrain a 4
If the path indeed leads to the rocks I still give this a 3
The rating of 3 would be once you get to the rocks
and search for the cache.
DO NOT DO AT NIGHT!
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