Hasta la VISTA, Bagby! Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This should be a nice and quick, park and grab. Easy access in both directions, just be careful if you’re heading north, watch for oncoming traffic before pulling into the parking area at this Vista point. Gold-plated Statehood quarter for FTF. BYOP.
The reason for the vista is perhaps twofold. It offers a nice view of the near 1,156 long, 130 foot high bridge completed back in 1966. It also offers differing views of what used to be the settlement of Bagby, depending on the back waters level of Lake McClure. When the water is low, foundation ruins from the old settlement are still visible. At the time of placement for this cache, the water was as high as I’ve ever seen it.
This location was originally known as Ridleys Ferry, for Thomas E. Ridley who operated a ferry here from 1850 to 1852. Around 1860, the name was changed to Benton Mills, after John Frémont’s father-in-law, Senator Benton of Missouri. A report published in 1859 stated that a sixteen stamp mill was crushing 130 tons of ore every day and a forty-eight stamp mill was under construction. The ore from a number of surrounding mines was crushed here during those years, when the town of Benton Mills contained barn-like mill buildings, boarding houses, saloons, cabins, and a store “finely situated on both sides of the river.”
In 1890 the town was renamed Bagby, in honor of a popular hotel owner, when the post office was established. The town prospered later when it became a scheduled stop of the Yosemite Valley Railroad, which began operation on May 15, 1907 with its first full-length scheduled run. Visitors could take the train up the Merced River canyon to El Portal, and from there continue on to Yosemite Valley by stage.
GRATZ to annevoi for the FTF! Enjoy the winding twisting and keep your hands on the wheel!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jub thneqf gur envyf?