Just before midnight on September 15th 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo rang the bell of his church in Dolores to gather the people and call for Mexicans to free themselves from Spanish rule. The next day the revolutionary army marched on the mining center Guanajuato. This was the beginning of the Mexican War for Independence; which ended finally in 1821.
2010 marks the 200th anniversary of El Grito de Independencia (The Cry for Independence). By custom on the night of September 15th, people will gather in the plaza of every town, often in traditional costume. At 11 PM the mayor or other civic leader will stand and read Hidalgo’s words in a patriotic reenactment of the call that led to the nation’s independence. The president will give the cry in Mexico City from the National Palace overlooking the Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución) before a crowd of more than 100,000. Before he does, however; he will ring the same bell used by Hidalgo in 1810.
Cache is a camo’d pill bottle. Please bring a writing stick. It is placed alongside the west bank Guadalupe River trail (unpaved and gravel). If you're on the paved trail, you're on the east bank; this trail is on the other side. It is NOT on the property of the mobile home park. Please respect the residents and enter the trail from public access points. Cell phone GPS' may get erratic with the power lines and wireless emitters nearby, so you might need to broaden your search.
Trailhead parking is at N 37 25.317 W 121 58.550 beside a park and picnic area. Note that this parking area closes at dusk. VTA bus route 59 goes right past and has a stop here.
Congratulations to Oaknest for FTF!