SVRT: Griffin Creek Trailhead Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Shaddow: It had a good run and focusing my efforts on other caches.

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Hidden : 12/1/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Griffin Creek Trailhead provides access to the Griffin Creek Natural Area and the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail (SVRT). There's a parking lot with ample area for cars as well as trucks with horse trailers. There's also a small trash can and a portable toilet for convenience.

The Cache

The cache is big enough to hold a log sheet, a short pencil, and just maybe a very small TB. Retrieving it will require somewhat of a reach and the terrain rating is bumped up a little to reflect.

The Griffin Creek Natural Area

Griffin Creek Natural Area can be accessed directly across the road.

The Griffin Creek Natural Area covers about 46 acres of forestland in non-contiguous parcels, located between Carnation and Fall City. These sites are adjacent to the Carnation-Fall City Road (State Highway 203) and the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail. Griffin Creek, a King County Class I stream system, provides significant habitat for a number of salmonids including coho and steelhead, as well as some of the most concentrated coho spawning densities in the Snoqualmie River system. Griffin Creek Natural Area also provides low-impact passive recreation, interpretive and educational opportunities.

The northern parcel, over 27 acres of forest and former pasture lands, is bisected by the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail (SVT) and is directly adjacent to the Archdiocese of Seattle's Camp Don Bosco. This parcel's proximity to the creek, forest lands, and regional trail will provide excellent opportunities for habitat protection as well as for continued low-impact passive recreation. The 19-acre southern group of small holdings is roughly three-quarters of a mile upstream, isolated and undeveloped. by KingCounty.gov

The Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail

The Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail can be accessed by a short walk east along the road. Brochure with map.

The SVT traces the route of the long-abandoned Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad line. The dirt-and-gravel double track trail runs 31 miles and gains less than 500 feet in elevation while winding through rural countryside and second-growth between McCormick Park in Duvall to the city of North Bend.

The idea for the SVT proper was born in 1977 when King County used $400,000 from its Forward Thrust bond initiative to acquire 20 miles of the retired rail route from the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. But dozens of dilapidated trestles coupled with a depleted public kitty meant that the trail remained unusable until 1986, when funding from AT&T -- which needed a good line to run fiber optic cable -- allowed King County to undertake repair work and open a 20 mile stretch of the trail to the public. Additional mileage was added in 1996 and then again in 2000, completing the route of the SVT we know and love today.

Originally conceived as a key link in the Mountains to Sound Greenway, the SVT and surrounding protected lands play an important ecological role as both watershed and wildlife habitat --- salmon, bears and cougars, not to mention the occasional ruffled grouse and other curiosities of nature, have been spotted by observant trail users. A 2004 effort by the non-profit Snoqualmie Watershed Forum allowed for the installation of educational signage and student artwork at select spots along the SVT so users can learn about the importance of regional open space in countering the devastating environmental effects of ever-expanding development.

Currently, ambitious equestrians or mountain bikers can extend their adventures on either end of the SVT by picking up the Iron Horse Trail or the Tolt Pipeline Trail. Planners are still working on ways to connect the SVT with Snohomish County's Centennial Trail, and dream about creating a continuous right of way for non-motorized travel between the Snoqualmie Valley and Whatcom County. by Roddy Scheer, Seattle Magazine

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vasb

Decryption Key

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

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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