Postman's Drop Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Start from Smith Rock State Park. (day use fee area) Walk down to the river and cross the bridge. Turn right, upriver. The cache is not within the state park boundaries, but rather on BLM land. From the parking area you will hike about 2 miles, one way. There are paths you can use much of the way if you choose, so it is not an especially rough hike. The only difficult part is the change in elevation in and out of the canyon.
This cache is accessible in any weather, although I don’t recommend going in a thunderstorm. I saw a juniper get stuck by lightning very close to the hiding place, a few years ago. Ice on the steep parts of the trails could be hazardous. Wear good walking shoes in any weather. Carry water and a snack or lunch.
Along the way you will be walking through some of the most spectacular scenery in Central Oregon. I have lived within sight of the cache location for over 20 years, and I never tire of the view. Wildlife that you might see along the way includes deer, rabbits, beaver, river otter, lizards, snakes, and many kinds of birds. You will walk below two Golden Eagle nest sites. One or the other has been used each spring for many years. There was a Golden Eagle soaring above the cache area the day we hid it. Did I mention rattlesnakes?
Your quest for this cache will take you to one of the sets for "The Postman", directed by and starring Kevin Costner. It may be more fun if you watch the film (rated R) before or after your visit. You can get a hint from the movie if you want: (General Bethlehem says, “Come out alive and you get yourself a lion steak.” The camera zooms out and you are looking right at the cache location.) The container is an ammo can. Besides the log book, the starting contents include some souvenirs related to the movie. Sometimes hikers and climbers are in the area, so please be discreet.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng gur sbex va gur genvy ol n erfphr onfxrg tb yrsg. Nsgre gung fgnl evtug. Perivpr va n jnyy.