Cochran Creek's Hidden Treasure Traditional Cache
Cochran Creek's Hidden Treasure
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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DANGER!! PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE WHEN
EXPLORING THIS AREA!! PEOPLE HAVE DIED AT THIS WATERFALL BY GETTING TOO
CLOSE!!!
This cache is NOT for everyone. Do not bring small children to this
cache.
This cache is the seventh in the hidden treasure series. Hopefully
I will find more to share.
There is a $10 gift card to REI for FTF!!!
This is an extremely tall waterfall with no way to see all of it
from one direction. I almost gave up on this one. I tried to get to
this one from the bottom and found the trail going up the side of
the falls to get a view way too dangerous. So after a little more
research a second plan of exploration was formed. The hike is
roughly 2.5 miles round trip with moderate elevation changes until
the last 1000 feet near the cache where the elevation change is a
bit steeper.
Find your way to the parking coordinates (N 34 35.338 W084 13.353)
by going through Amicalola State Park (State Park Fee is required
but the cache is outside the park). The dirt road to the cache is
passable by two wheel drive vehicles with moderate ground
clearance. You will find an unmarked footpath leading toward the
cache at the parking coordinates. Stay on the path until it ends at
a larger trail (Trail One Coordinates N34 34.980 W084 13.246).
Follow the larger trail to the Trail Two Coordinates (N34 35.055
W084 13.080). Here you will find another small trail heading off in
the direction of the cache. There is no reason to bushwack to this
cache. The trail takes you all the way to the cache general
location. You will be at the top of Cochran Falls. The cache is
upstream of the falls a few hundred feet. It is no where near the
dangerous terrain.
The view of the surrounding terrain from near the top of the falls
is breathtaking. However you can't see the falls from here.
If you want to actually see the falls be aware that the terrain is
considerable (I would give it a 4.5), but do-able if you are
extremely cautious. To see the falls you will have to cross the
creek a little way upstream from falls. It is a small creek and
easy crossing. Walk back down the creek on the otherside and a
trail will become apparent. The trail is narrow and on steep
terrain. Follow it until you see the falls. You will reach a spot
that descends very steeply for about 70 feet. DON'T GO DOWN!!! I
did and the view never gets any better than from above that
section. I never felt out of my comfort zone, but I can't make that
judgement call for you.
WORD OF CAUTION!! - Please use common sense and don't put yourself
in any unnecessary danger. Unfortunately too many people get hurt
each year at waterfalls similar to this one because they had to get
a little closer.
Congrats GoodFairyFauna for your
FTF!!!
Small note: As required by the USFS for caches hidden in the
Chattahoochee National Forest the cache is prominantly labeled as a
geocache and the label includes the GC2NPJ3 waypoint number and the
owner's e-mail address. Enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Total Spoiler] Abbx bs guerr cebatrq gerr.