Birkhead Hiking Challenge Multi-Cache
Hidden : 8/9/2009
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:



Birkhead Hiking Challenge




The Birkhead Mountains Wilderness

This wilderness area was established in 1984. Encompassing 5,160 acres (eight square miles), the wilderness boasts some of the oldest mountains in the North American continent. Evidence of early Indians dates back over 12,000 years. The area received its name in the late nineteenth century due to the landowners at the time, the Birkhead family, who established tenant farms in the area, hence the name Birkhead Mountains.

Within the area, you will see evidence of old homesteads, farms, gold mining operations, old roads, and timber harvesting. Covered primarily in old growth hardwoods, the wilderness consists of several long, wooded ridges and surrounding drainages of moderately steep terrain. Small, clear streams run past rocky outcroppings down to the Uwharrie River and outside the western boundary. An understory of wildflowers, shrubs, ferns, mosses, and other plant species flourish on their sodden banks. Diverse species of fungi can also be encountered while hiking through the area. Elevations range from about 450 feet on drainage bottoms to around 950 feet on Cedar Rock Mountain in the northeastern section.

The wilderness is open throughout the year to hikers and campers. There is no closing time. North Carolina Wilderness regulations limit any group size to ten. Campsites must be placed more than 200 feet from any stream. No permanent camps are allowed in the wilderness area. Camping is allowed for a fourteen day period within a thirty day time frame. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash and kept under control. Horses, bikes, ATVs, and motorized vehicles are prohibited. Federal law protects all structures and artifacts within this area.



Birkhead Mountain Trail

The Birkhead Mountain Trail crosses the heart of the area for proximately 4.5 miles north to south and 2.8 miles east to west (1.6 miles at the southernmost trail). The trail and wilderness can be accessed from one of three parking areas: Tot Hill in the northeast, Thornburg in the west, and Robbins Branch in the southwest. Parking coordinates for Tot Hill are included in the cache's additional waypoints.

The main trails are clearly marked with white blaze and signs. Other primitive trails and old roads can be discovered. Some of these old roads lead to closed mines. The main trail runs through some seasonal streams and along the ridge line. While the main trail is rated nice and moderate, the very hilly area off trail can be very strenuous to cross-country hikers. Shallow streams will suddenly fill after a rain storm, providing for an additional challenge. The forest floor is relatively sparse, save for ferns next to streams; the area is decidedly light on bushwhacking, save for spider webs.



The Birkhead Hiking Challenge

This 43+ mile multi is the longest, most strenuous hike in the state. This is for those who enjoy a good terrain challenge in a beautiful, diverse setting. You'll encounter streams, hills, abandoned mines, small waterfalls, and diverse terrain. It really is a pretty hike, despite the time of year. Please take appropriate seasonal precautions, such as extra water for the summer or a thicker sleeping bag for the winter. Should you wish to camp overnight, existing camping site coordinates have been provided in the additional waypoints section of this listing. All but one container are small Lock'N'Locks held firmly in place by rocks. The coordinates are written such that you should not have to touch the paper, nor remove the protective baggies from the container. When replacing the cache, please make sure the rock pile firmly holds the container in place so water and animals do not result in a missing container, greatly inconveniencing those attempting this challenge after you. Other people use the wilderness and camp out here, so don't make some of the stages too obvious. Also, please do not crush the containers with the rocks. Considerate caching with zero impact on the land is greatly appreciated.

I did my best to average coordinates, but subsequent visits to some areas have me wondering. While you can assume only thirty to thirty-five feet accuracy, you can cut your search even further by looking for rock cairns or places to put a cache so it won't wash away. If there are many rocks around the area, look around for the piles. Some will be obvious while it might take a little searching for others. You might have to remove six rocks to get at the container. Just be sure to secure the cache when you're done. None of the stages are hidden to be difficult or malicious, but you will have to look around for some.

An optional completion prize is available for the first three individuals/groups to complete this challenge. Participation in the prize is optional. Take pictures with you and each stage, making sure the coordinates are legible so I can tell you were there. There is a cash prize for the FTF within the final cache. The completion prize is $40 per group (or all your own if you do this solo). No guarantees or promises, express or implied.

I have encountered mosquitoes, horseflies, and a few ticks (averaging one every two miles) in areas with streams and plant growth. You may come across a turtle or two, inexplicably trying to scale one of the numerous hills in the northeastern region. I wonder why they're trying for the summit? As for snakes, I have yet to see one.




Tips and Suggestions

Bring and stash a lot of water during the summer. The best thing to do is hike several gallons of water in with you. Cache the water on the side of the trail and go after the first stage, picking it back up when you get back to the trail. You'll be going south after this. Stash your water somewhere around the major fork in the trail, N35 36.476 W79 55.020, out of sight from other hikers. You'll be passing this fork at least three or four other times, so having a depot here will cut down on the weight you have to carry. When placing this cache's stages during the high summer, I consumed a total of seven 32oz bottles, and that was barely enough. While I had food with me, I didn't open anything because I didn't want any bugs to pick up on the scent. Assume this cache will take at least 24 hours to complete.

Park at the northern trailhead (Tot Hill, N35 38.184 W79 54.279). One stage each is within a mile of the other two trailheads. You might choose that time to call someone to refill on provisions or escape the wilderness altogether. Unfortunately, that's early on in the hike. Once things get serious, you'll be farther from any trailhead. Use this early opportunity to gauge if you're up to the challenge.

All stream crossings can be done without getting wet, even during periods of sustained rain. You just have to find the right place to cross. For instance, I found a spot with a tree growing horizontally over a deep stream. I used a log as a pole, placed it vertically in the middle of the stream, and held onto it for balance as I crossed. The water was four feet deep, as measured by the log.

Bring a camera. There are a ton of photo-ops in the wilderness. This cache brings you by several: old mines, waterfalls, graveyard, chimney, stream crossings, and so many hills. You may come across wildlife, mushrooms (even blaze orange ones), or just something interesting. Keep your camera at the ready to document your trek on this most epic of caches. Non-cache photos are encouraged with your logs and notes.

The wilderness abounds with plenty of campsites. Only a fraction are listed within the additional waypoints because I didn't start keeping track until later. Almost all campsites are next to the trail, but some exist some distance away. When camping, you can stay as close as 200 feet from streams. Firewood is available; just look for dead wood. Please don't cut live wood for your fire. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving your campsite. While the use of cook stoves is highly recommended by the wilderness committee, I doubt you'd want to lug something that heavy with you.



While I'd love to see your tracklog and elevation profile, unless you are confident where the trails are, I'd actually suggest turning your tracklog off when you depart the trail. This will help you map the trail system and get back to the trail when the stages allow. For those who do this or have a topo map, a 1.8 mile shortcut between two stages just might reveal itself. So, really, there are several opportunities to cut down on the overall distance, although a few of those shortcuts will cost you endurance due to having to cross hills. Choose wisely.

There is some private property within the wilderness. The stages are set up such that this won't be an issue even if you walk in a straight line to the next stage. But, just to be on the safe side, keep a lookout for private property signs in the north central area. The areas are well marked and you shouldn't have a problem noticing them if you happen to stray that far off course.

Hike safe. Know the signs of heat exhaustion in the summer and hypothermia in the winter. Keep your feet dry and rest when you need. The first stage is up a hill. If you have trouble with this hill, you will have trouble with the rest of the hike. Use the next two stages to gauge whether you are physically able to complete this challenge. That said, the stages are set up such that it's rare you won't see the main, easy trails between stages. Use these walks to recuperate. Only half the stages involve rolling hills and only a couple are on top of a hill.




Miscellaneous

I originally began placing caches for this challenge around 08/09/2009, which explains the old GC code. This cache became possible once again after securing permission in 2013, which was when it was completed. While all original stages were picked up due to proximity issues to the trail (yes, they did survive out there that long), information from those trips--especially the mapping data--were helpful in completing this epic challenge.

This challenge was released in celebration of my 43K milestone, hence the hiking distance. However, this challenge is actually due to my need to take serious breaks from working with the Wherigo Foundation.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gerrf be ebpxf, fbzrgvzrf obgu.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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