Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls
Featuring a series of waterfalls, including Hong Kong's tallest fall, this is a great sight. The falls are at their best in the wet season, as then the rivers have more water, but also in the dry and cooler season a great site to visit. These falls are especially spectacular in the rainy season after rain, and they can grow much bigger than on the photos attached here.
This cache is located at the highest point of the Ng Tung Chai waterfalls in the Lam Tsuen river, down the northern slope of Tai Mo Shan.
For if you really wish to go out in the rain, to see them supersized: be careful, and stay well away from the water. Do not cross a river when stepping stones are flooded. Flash floods are common in Hong Kong and almost every year people die after being flushed away by a raging river.
The hike from Ng Tung Chai.
Most people will climb up to the falls (and later down the same path) starting from Ng Tung Chai village (see Getting There below). The path along the waterfalls is basically 2-3 star terrain. It's steep but the path is clear and well maintained, with steps most of the way.
The government signs at the start of the route indicate "experienced hikers only, not suitable for elderly and children". I have seen several children (the youngest maybe 7-8 years old) on the route, experienced children should be fine but use your own common sense and take proper care.
Starting from the main road, in under an hour you will reach the Lower Fall, the first of the series. A trail off the main path takes you to a pool with a small fall, right above this pool is another pool with a larger fall. This is a truly gorgeous area, the river runs in a canyon here, with roots and plants hanging down from above. The pools (especially the one above) are great for swimming. And if you look carefully you can see fish, crayfish and other animals in the crystal-clear water of these pools.
From there it's a short walk to the Middle Fall, again with a pool under the fall. This fall is higher, though to me the least interesting of the series.
The Main Fall is the highest waterfall in Hong Kong, the water is falling about 30m down a cliff into a pool, another one that's good for swimming.
And finally the Scatter Fall, called like that because when there is a lot of water it becomes a pretty wide fall. Its plunge pool is small and rather shallow. From this point you can enjoy a nice view back over Lam Tsuen valley. Herel the path crosses the river again. Do not cross the river when the water is running fast, or during or shortly after heavy rain.
The hike from TH to the cache will take you about 1 1/2 hours, not counting time for swimming, photo taking, and just enjoying the place. Total distance is just about 3 km horizontal, but includes some 500 m total climb (from 85m up to 450m plus some extra climbing to and from the actual waterfalls).
(updated: March 2013) In 2004, a land slide destroyed the trail between Upper and Scatter falls. Soon after hikers created a new trail there, but it was not after super typhoon Vicente in summer 2012 caused another landslide, temporarily blocking the trail between Middle and Upper falls, that the whole trail got a thorough makeover and now it is completely open again. As the trail between Upper and Scatter falls is now a proper footpath again, overall terrain rating is downgraded to 3.
The cache.
The cache can be found a bit further up the path from the Scatter Fall. It's a small 350ml lock&lock type box, hidden under a rock and a chunk of wood. Please watch out for muggles, and re-hide the cache well. With the hint and the spoiler image it should be a very easy find but then the real treasure you found already: it's the natural beauty you can find along this route.
Disused mines.
There are several disused mines in the area. You will find some small tunnels on the way (see waypoint MINE), and if you walk a bit further from the cache (about 60m on) you can find a small trail branching off to the left, where there are two more of such tunnels. One is not much more than a cavity, the other appears to be longer but is flooded. Various metals were mined in Tai Mo Shan; I have no idea what miners hoped to find here.
Getting there.
Take minibus 25K from Tai Wo MTR station or KMB 64K from Tai Po Market MTR, Tai Wo MTR, Kam Sheung Road MTR or Yuen Long MTR to the starting point TH. From there walk up through Ng Tung Chai village, and follow the main path up. Until the monastery it's very easy going, after that it's a bit rougher.
BEWARE OF FLASH FLOODS!
I can't say that too often...