Picnic Table Lookout Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Picnic Table Lookout
The cache is located near the end of a side-trail off the main Voyageur Hiking Trail which starts at Sturdee Cove and continues along the north shore of Lake Superior to the south-east,
From "Voyageur Hiking Trail Guidebook Edition 4.0" (page 34):
“TRAIL DESCRIPTION - Sturdee Cove to Marathon:
Trail begins at a sandy beach at the mouth of Angler Creek in Sturdee Cove. A loop trail forks to the left close to the beach. The main trail switchbacks up through a stand of white birch, levels out on lichen-covered rock, then descends to the beach at Beatty Cove and intersects the Picnic Table Lookout Trail. The 400 m side trail leads to a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the town of Marathon. The main trail follows the beach around Beatty Cove and leaves to ascend Neuve Chappelle Point. In Beatty Cove observe a lovely view of Blondin and Hawkins Islands. Also notice the heavy cables from bygone logging days on the beach. Leaving Beatty Cove, trail climbs through a black spruce forest to pass over the peninsula. The ground is covered with moss, blueberry bushed and Labrador tea. Trail descends to the shore at Carden Cove, Note: along the shoreline, stay as close to the tree line as possible, for the lichen-covered rocks can be dangerous when wet, The beach becomes sandy and at its most northern point meets the access road from Marathon.” (N48° 45.113, W086° 24.156)
The trail system leading to the Picnic Table Lookout Cache can be accessed from 2 directions:
1) From the West via Sturdee Cove:
• When the cache was set out, we approached the trail system from the Sturdee Cove after crossing Angler Creek after driving in from Highway 17 (4WD vehicle required or walk in from the highway - ~2 km walk)
• Road to Sturdee Cove starts at N48° 46.507, W086° 24.267
• Walk or drive to the parking area. before the railway tracks (N48° 45.754, W086° 24.872)
• Carefully cross the railway tracks to the Trail Head to the Sturdee Cove Beach (N48° 45.713, W086° 24.890)
• Follow the trail to the beach (N48° 45.495, W086° 25.098)
• Walk along the beach to the east
• When you reach the end of the beach, you will now need to cross Angler Creek. When we crossed the beach the water was only 1.0-1.5 feet depth – so it is an easy crossing
• Now proceed to the start of this section of the Voyageur Hiking Trail (Trail Head N48° 45.274, W086° 25.129). At this point take the trail to the right
• Follow the trail until you reach Trail Reference Point #1 (N48° 45.249, W086° 25.125. At this point take the trail to the right. If you go to the left you will follow the trail loop back to Angler Creek and Sturdee Cove.
• Proceed down the trail until you reach Trail Reference Point #2 (N48° 45.197, W086° 25.052). At this point take the trail to the right up the side of the hill. If you go to the left, you will continue to follow the Voyageur Hiking Trail to Beatty Cove.
• As you climb the hill, you will encounter several switchbacks. You will eventually reach Trail Reference Point #3 (N48° 45.188, W086° 25.041). Continue to take the trail to the right and up the hill.
• As you follow the trail, you will reach Trail Reference Point #4 (N48° 45.191, W086° 25.036). Again continue to take the trail to the right, continuing up the hill
• When you reach Trail Reference Point #5 (N48° 45.172, W086° 25.027), keep to the right. You are almost at the top of the hill. There are several point on the trail as you climb the hill, where you will be able to see Beatty Cove and Carden Cove to the eat.
• Proceed to the top of the hill. You will reach the Picnic Table at N48° 45.088, W086° 25.091.
• Enjoy the view. From this point to the east you will be able to see Beatty Cove, Carden Cove, Blondin Island, Hawkins Island, Peninsula Harbour, Jellico Cove, the former Marathon Pulp Inc. pulp mill and in the distance the town of Marathon
• From the Picnic Area, proceed up the hill to the west to the cache location (Posted Coordinates – N48° 45.103, W086° 25.129
• From the area where the cache container is located, you will be able to see Sturdee Cove to the west.
2) From the East via Carden Cove:
• From Peninsula Road (road into Marathon from Highway 17), you can enter the Carden Cove Road at N48° 43.638, W086° 22.633.
• Proceed down Carden Cove road until you reach Carden Cove
• During the winter months starting about mid-November the road to Carden Cove is closed and a barrier is erected (N48°44.040, W086° 22.778) to prevent vehicle access past this point
• In the summer months, parking is available near the Trail Head to Carden Cove (N48° 45.113, W086° 24.156)
• Starting at the trail head, you will enter the Voyageur Hiking Trail System (See Trail Description above). Walk along the beach to the south west until you reach the trail that proceeds up the hill past the Carden Cove Cache (GCJP3P)
• Follow the trail over the hill until you reach Beatty Cove. There should be trail markers periodically so you will be able to keep on the proper trail
• Once you reach the far side of Beatty Cove (to the west), follow the Voyageur Hiking Trail to the west until you reach Trail Reference Point #3 (N48° 45.188, W086° 25.041)
• Follow the trail up the hill to the Picnic Table Lookout and the cache location. Use the above trail reference points (in Section 1) to easily follow the trail to the lookout.
Make a picnic lunch – bring your camera – enjoy the scenery from the top of the hill.
The cache container is a regular sized ammo can with a MBGA Sticker on it. After you find the cache, sign the logsheet and make any trades, please make sure that it is well hidden, so that it is not discovered by muggles.
Please note that to find this cache will involve hiking for a long distance and fairly large change in elevation as you hike up a large hill.
CONGRATULATIONS TO "jwbzoom", "Boss Zoom" and "Jessie 4legs" FOR THE WELL DESERVED "FTF" 19 MONTHS AFTER THE CACHE WAS HIDDEN - WE WERE WONDERING WHEN THE FIRST-TO-FIND WAS GOING TO BE
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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