How does this puzzle cache work?
Start by going to the coordinates listed above. From this point
you will find clues along the way that will lead you to the
Wild Mile of the Swan River, and
the cache. You will walk a total of about 4 miles round trip,
almost all level hiking. You can complete this trek on a
mountain bike.
Print this cache information so you can fill in the
blanks. Bring a couple of pens or pencils.
Read the instructions carefully! You should also look at
the pictures.
Begin your adventure in downtown Bigfork. Park at the Everit L.
Sliter Memorial Park at N48° 03.542, W114° 04.390. The first
puzzle piece is found on the
green Bigfork Power Plant
information sign.
A=___, the third digit of the year (19?1) that the
original power plant was constructed by Lafayette
Tinkel.
Now, complete more puzzle pieces by walking through the
Village of Bigfork.
B=___, the third digit of the year (19?1) that the old bridge
over the Swan River was built by A.Y. Bayne & Co.
From the pedestrian walkway on the bridge,
C=___, the number of large white roof vents of
the power plant.
Walk up the street into Bigfork.
D=___. The third digit of the year (19?9) Eva Gates Homemade
Preserves was established.
Go to the front steps of the Bigfork Inn. (Inside the first set
of doors in the winter) and read the Bigfork Inn history sheet on
the wall.
E=___, the third digit of the year (19?2) that the Bigfork
Inn got its current name. (See last paragraph). The
Bigfork Inn is owned and run by Bob & Suzie Keenan. Bob is a
Montana State Senator.
NOTE: The History Sheet is currently
not displayed; the Bigfork Inn got it's current name in
1972
Checksum: A+B+C+D+E = 14. Check your numbers. If they don’t add
up to 14, better check your data again!
Now calculate some of the coordinates for the
Wild Mile.
F = ___ B+C
G = ___ D+D
H = ___ D+B
I = ___ C+E
J = ___ E-B
Checksum: F+G+H+I+J = 31
Walk 3 blocks or so up to
N 4 8° A F . G A H, W 1 1 4° A D . B G E
N 4 8°_ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
These coordinates put you near the
green Swan River Nature Trail
sign. If not, check your figures.
K=___, the last digit of the year (199?) that the Swan
River Trail was established by Art & Maude Whitney.
Go east on the trail to a bench at
N 4 8° A F . G F A, W 1 1 4° A F . F H F
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
Take the small trail south to
N 4 8° A F . E J K, W 1 1 4° A F . F F A
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
You should be standing on a big rock. Enjoy this spot for a
while.
Now go to
N 4 8° A F . E J I, W 1 1 4° A F . F A E
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
M=___, the number of red
exclamation marks (!) on the
Danger Sign.
Continue up river on the trail (may want to walk bikes) to
N 4 8° A F . E K M , W 1 1 4° A F . B G C
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
P=___, the number of black exclamation marks
(!) on the Spillway Sign.
Go up the trail to
N 4 8° A F . E M J , W 1 1 4° A F . A J K
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
Q=___, the number of large orange
balls floating on the water.
Checksum: K+M+P+Q = 17
Go to a small trail at
N 4 8° A F . Q Q I , W 1 1 4° A P . M M F
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
Take the small trail up and left, then left again to a fire ring
overlooking the river at
N 4 8° A F . Q E F, W 1 1 4° A P . M E M
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
Now find the cache in an olive drab ammo
box at
N 4 8° A F . Q I K, W 1 1 4° A P . H C E
N 4 8° _ _ . _ _ _ , W 1 1 4° _ _ . _ _ _
Please leave an item, and take an item.
Log in and report your adventure. Have Fun!
Eve’n’Steven