Somewhere, high above Horsetail Falls, is a special little spot
with a natural rock arch that frames a view of the massive walls of
the Columbia Gorge to the east. From here you can see Saint Peters
Dome and the Rock of Ages. There may be other spots along the Gorge
with interesting views that are easier to get to, but sometimes if
you have to work hard for something, it makes it a little more
special. This cache is like that. So don't let your GPS fool you
when you are sitting in the parking lot, and the distance to the
cache is only .15 miles. What you may not know is that it is 700
feet above you.
Begin your adventure at the Horsetail Falls parking lot. From
here hike up towards Ponytail Falls. Just after you round the
corner and the falls come into view, you will find a small
unmaintained trail to the left leading straight up the ridge. This
is where the fun begins!
The cache is a ammo can that is not hidden at the arch itself,
but it is close by. If you go up a little higher than the arch, and
then head down the slope to your left maybe ten feet you'll be
close. It is flat on the ground with some foliage on top of it near
the base of a tree. There may be a stick sticking up that is
helping keep it from rolling downhill.
- Do not attempt this cache without sturdy
hiking boots.
- The terrain is extremely steep and very slippery when wet.
- Use caution at the cliff edges near the cache.
- A hiking stick might come in very handy.
- Do not bring children.
- Do not attempt this cache at night.
- Bring some water and your camera!
- Watch for the occasional patch of Poison Oak.