Hmmm...we are getting closer to a solution for this one. I am
getting very intrigued.
If you are not familiar with the story behind this cache please
visit the first three descriptions in this series called EH Cacoeg - First Right (GC28REX),
EH Cacoeg - Left (GC2B8VG),
and EH Cacoeg -Second Right
(GC2BW42). Because the story is long I will ask you to read it
there...and then continue here.
Well...I looked up the coordinates on this one and figured I
could just about drive right up to it. Nope...there is a gate a
good 1/3 mile from this one and no parking signs everywhere. The
closest you can legally park is out on Deer Park Rd...and that is
one nasty hike in. It might work if you use a bike or if you have
someone drop you off.
WARNING #1 - Do not park on Oakland Road...the
locals do not want cars there...there are no parking signs on the
whole road...and they will call the police.
Now...I scoped this out and decided I would go over to Wards
Chapel and park at the fire trail head about 1/2 mile from Rt. 26.
It turns out to be a good fire trail all the way in. It is about a
2 mile hike (one way) to the site.
I did this in the evening (before dark) and it was a great hike.
The hills are not too bad. There are a couple of muddy spots where
small streams cross the trail...but nothing that would suck your
boots off.
Now...when I got to GZ, I came up on what must have been an old
mill...but not THAT old. It appears to have been abandoned within
the last 30 years or so. The water wheel is actually metal and not
wood.
WARNING #2 - The building is not stable. Do
not approach the building and certainly do not go in. This building
looks to be home to teenagers on occasion...so be cautious when
approaching the area.
I wonder...this looks like it might have been usable in the last
few years. Could my friend have been using this pace for something?
Could he have been making something back here. Heck...you could
probably set off fireworks and no one would hear you...so who
knows.
It took me awhile to find this one...for two reasons.
First...with the hills and rocks...the GPS was bouncing something
fierce. Secondly...unlike the others...this one was not in a
tree.
I literally stumbled on it. It was etched neatly into a jet
black rock and then placed near the base of a tree. Had it been
near a trail, I am sure someone would have spotted it. But then
again...it was slightly off from the coordinates he gave me. I
wonder if someone else found it and had no idea what to do with
it?
One last thing. There was more than the clue etched into the
rock. There were some other instructions. I am not including them
here...but will post them in the final puzzle cache.
This is getting exciting.
You can get to this cache from either side of the stream. If you
find yourself on the wrong side...there are many places to cross or
there is a bridge right where it enters the reservoir.
WARNING #3: Do not go up the road, past the
mill, from the reservoir. You will notice a tree with a yellow
stripe, almost parallel to the mill...this is where the private
property starts. The locals will call you on it as well. Stay close
to the mill and you should be fine.
WARNING # 4: DO NOT GO AFTER THIS ONE IN THE
DARK. THE AREA IS CLOSED FROM DUSK TO DAWN.
Again...since I don't want the find to be too hard, there is a
picture of the mill and a picture of the actual hiding spot
attached to this listing. Take a look at both before you head
out.
Please return this exactly the way you found it. And if there
are muggles around....please use stealth or come back another
time.
Enjoy the hike or bike ride and good luck with cache. Terrain is
based on the 2 mile hike or long bike ride in...if you get dropped
off...terrain is at most a 2.
Only one left and then we find out what the mystery is!
With some feedback from Tomulus, I have added a trail head
waypoint below (N 39° 24.350 W 076° 51.696). Note that access to
this trail head is down what appears to be a private drive way. The
private property actually begins just beyond this trail head (you
will see the markings on the trees) and the drive way is actually
shared right-of-way until that point. Using this trail head will
cut out a small portion of bush whacking that can be rough in the
late summer.
Finally, please be mindful of all No
Trespassing signs.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
C-Finder
For FTF Honors on this one!
