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The Source of Canoe Creek Traditional Cache

Hidden : 4/3/2011
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located near the source of Canoe Creek at the far North of Canoe Valley at the meeting of Brush Mountain and Canoe Mountain.


Depending on the time of the year and whether the gates are open you may be able to park just over a mile from the cache location at the included waypoint coordinates. If the gates are closed, this becomes a 5-mile hike along the SGL 166 access road, Beaver Dam Road Exd. with just over one mile of off-road hiking at the end.

In searching for this cache, you will be hiking to the source, or beginning of Canoe Creek. I have provided coordinate for the end of the maintained access road to SGL 166. If the gates are closed, you will have to hike or bike the nearly five miles to the end of the access road. There are two gates along the way; I have provided coordinates for each of these as alternate parking locations.

Once beyond the maintained road, you must follow Canoe Creek up the valley and ultimately up the base of the mountain. There is an unmaintained trail, but it is not reliable the entire way.

As you go, you will see how the creek joins with smaller streams and brooks to grow into the larger creek that supplies Canoe Creek Lake. You will find the cache nearly at the point that the creek disappears under the boulder field and into the mountain. If you continue up the mountain you will eventually see the creek disappear entirely and will be greeted by surprising silence. The cache is located 1.04-mile (as the bird flies) from the end of the maintained dirt road and 5.38-miles (as the bird flies) from the first gate; following the road will increase this distance to just over 6-miles. The cache location will be immediately preceded by an area where you will climb over many fell trees. You will probably notice an impressively 'splintered' tree towards the end of this area that looks like it has been broken by giant hands. There are large 6 and 7 foot long 'splinters' all around.

The cache itself will be found in an old man-made stone wall very close to the creek on the right side. You may find old iron rails and gears about: probably from a mine many years ago. This place is hard to miss as long as you are following the creek. Do be careful not to pull the wrong stone and knock over the wall. Good Luck, and let me know how you do!

As with any arduous trek, please plan ahead before attempting this cache. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for rough terrain and the weather, and don't forget to bring some water. This can be a significant hike; you will be exerting some energy. Do not attempt this if you are not in good physical health. The climb up the mountain may involves traversing steep, rocky and uneven ground. You also may need to cross the creek periodically. Please be wary of snakes at all times. Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. The full 12-mile round trip to place this took me about 6-hours on foot with plenty of breaks and exploring along the way. There is NO cellular phone service back the valley; it is suggested that you do not attempt this alone.

Blaze Orange is required during hunting season as this area is designated State Game Lands and is heavily hunted during the primary hunting seasons. It is highly encouraged that this cache is NOT sought during the primary hunting seasons since State Game Lands are reserved for hunting FIRST, before all other uses. Respect hunters and come back during the off-season or on Sundays.

I have provided suggested parking coordinates. I'm sure there are other ways onto the mountain, please be aware of posted private property.

Again, please be appropriately prepared and be careful. Please do not enter into or trespass onto private property. As always, cache-in, trash-out!

Congratulations to ted28285: First to Find!

Congratulations to TheGeoSleuth: Second to Find!




Explanation of Difficulty/Terrain Ratings:
Difficulty: 2.5 out of 5 could be in one of several locations / less than 30 minutes to find; lightly camouflaged and/or blends well into the environment; gives cache container type and/or location of the cache / no hint needed or gives exact location of the cache; very little or no traffic and/or muggle activity; spotty GPSr reception.
Terrain: 4.5 out of 5 unmarked trail or path with a medium to rough surface / water hazard less than 12 inches deep; more than 2 miles from parking or a road found a map; heavy vegetation growth / encounters with poisonous plants and/or wildlife likely/frequent; several changes in elevation, max slope less than 45 degrees.
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H55534

Additional Hints (No hints available.)