Astoria Springs Traditional Cache
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Going south on U.S. Highway 89, just past mile post 139, you will see the landing entrance on your left. The cache is located in the boat launch area.
The springs are named after a group of trappers who traveled through the area on the way to the Oregon country to set up the Pacific Fur Company. The company was run by John Jacob Astor, hence the name Astorians. The group stopped at the present day Astoria Springs to cut down cottonwoods to hollow out for canoes. Some of the trappers continued down the Snake River to survey the route. They returned shortly saying the river was impassable. After the report, the Astorians referred to the rapid, roaring river as the Mad River. With two Snake Indian guides, the Astorian crossed Snake River, and followed a well-traveled Indian trail up Fall Creek, over Teton Pass into Pierre’s Hole.
In more modern times the springs were used to heat a swimming pool located on the bench east of the river. During the summer months, the kids were bused to the pool for swimming lessons. The pool was taken out by the current owners of the Snake River Canyon Club. You can still see the springs on the eastern bank of the river. The boat landing was put in by the forest service giving the public access to the area once more.
There is plenty of parking but the area is popular for launching drift boats during the summer months. You may have to use stealth when finding the cache depending on time of year. The cache can be available during the winter as long as the snow does not get too deep. During the winter months you will see plenty of mule deer and elk in the area. Dog Creek Feed Ground is less than a mile west of the boat launch.
The cache is a log only.
Please place the cache back as you found it.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx haqre sbbg gura hc
Treasures
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