Heater's Island WMA - 3BT Traditional Cache
Heater's Island WMA - 3BT
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size:  (regular)
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Smack dab in the middle of the Potowmack River, nestled between
Maryland and Virginia, Heaters Island (HI) was settled as early as
the 17th century. Conoy Indians, a Piscataway tribe, migrated from
Southern Maryland and established a village in the 1690's. In 1705,
a smallpox epidemic forced abandonment of the village.
Located adjacent to the C&O Canal at Point of Rocks, Md., the
Island, over a mile long and nearly a half mile wide at its widest,
is a designated Wildlife Management area. Wildlife, particularly
birds and waterfowl inhabit the Island. During recon, evidence of
turkey and deer were also seen.
Having a plateau above river flood stage, the Island possessess its
own unique ecosystem. It is densely foliated, both with tree and
ground coverings. During warm months, nettles comprise much of the
cover, armpit high. You are forewarned. Very little poison ivy was
encountered and no ticks were collected. Summer cachers can
consider this an extreme cache (perhaps 4/4). After first hard
frost, navigation and traverse will be much easier.
In season, hunters for deer (there is at least one tree stand
present) and waterfowl are present. Orange Blaze wear is
required.
Please observe all safety precautions when venturing onto the
water. Stay off the river during flood and high water periods.
During other times, the waters to and around the Island are easily
managed with a canoe, kayak or raft.
The cache you seek is a standard, good old ammo box which holds a
logbook and traveler provided by Jfigel. Poorly hidden in the crook
of a tree, please be sure to rehide this one as well as or better
than found. This description was shamelessly pilfered from LPYF's
Rocky Raccoon cache of this series. Happy Caching!
Know before you go! Check the water levels at
(USGS: Potomac River at Point of
Rocks). I do not recommend canoes when the flow exceeds
13,000 cu-ft/sec and above 4.0 gauge height.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
3OG = guerroenapugerr