This Old Bridge Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
All the times I've driven I-40 past this spot, I never once
actually noticed this bridge. It may have registered on some
level, but not on the same one as geocaching--until this day. I saw
it, wondered how to get there, and found a way.
According to a cornerstone, the bridge was constructed in 1910. It
looks to be one hundred feet above the water. Below its concrete
and rebar supports are some really neat rocks, still holding the
bridge up to this day. The bridge overlooks some sort of vehicle
pathway and river, both going I have no idea where. It's a really
cool area and I'm surprised no one has placed a cache here. It
would be interesting to see what this area looked like a hundred
years ago when there was no such thing as an interstate highway. I
wonder how long ago this road was closed? If it wasn't for I-40,
this would be a very peaceful spot.
Getting to this bridge is the tough part. Legal access is from
Brushy Fork Park, to the west of the cache (N 36 05.699 / W 80
13.248). The park closes aroun 9PM (due to the proximity to I-40, I
really don't suggest doing this one in the dark, anyway). Follow
the remnants of the old road close to I-40 and you'll come across
the bridge. It may also be possible to access the cache from the
business to the east, but this is private property and they have a
gate. I don't recommend it, but that'll knock the terrain rating
down to a 2. As for the suggested approach, the terrain rating
varies by season: in winter, I'd give it a 2.5 and in summer, I can
imagine a 3.5 to 4.5 due to thick vegetation. Speaking of
vegetation, there will probably be an ocean of poison ivy under the
southern half of the bridge during the summer. Do stay away from
it.
Hiding a cache in this area is problematic. Yes, you could hide an
ammo can here. However, the vegetation would most likely
swallow it up during the summer or it would slide down the hill.
It's also ridiculously easy to make an evil hide, have you walk out
on a limb across the river, or put it amongst the poison ivy. But
since the purpose of this hide is to get you to come out and see
the neat area, I've chosen a spot that should be easy enough for an
inquisitive geocacher while still remaining fun and relatively safe
to retrieve (i.e. don't overthink the hide). The hiding spot would
only accept a preform, so that's what I hid.
There's enough area out here for several fun caches. Just follow
the road below the bridge and head north.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Frra ng n sbezny rirag