How many geocaches can one site support? A truly spectacular venue like this one can handle quite a few! Hogs Back Falls currently hosts three Earthcaches and a range of Multi's. Now you can also find:
Hogs Back Falls' first Letterbox cache!
This hybrid cache is not at the posted coordinates. To find it, you will need skills from both Letterboxing (following written directions) and Geocaching (following your GPS). To prepare for your outing, you should:
- have paper and pencil to record the clues
- know how to project waypoints with your GPS
- bring your camera (not needed to log the cache, but you'll want it at this gorgeous site!)
BYO stamp pad. The new container is a waterproof vinyl bag. It's big enough to hold the log book, the stamp, some postcards, and a few small trade items. Keep it weather friendly; when closing the top, make sure all ziplock corners are tucked in and not overlapping the seal.
Wandering the Hogsback
You won't need your GPS for this part; just follow the directions. There are five plaques in the vicinity and you'll visit each one. The puzzle is based on letters so you'll need to write down the clues in order.
From the parking coordinates, head to where the above photo was taken: the foot bridge over the Falls. Just before the bridge there is an information panel entitled "Impressive Landscape! Imposing Engineering!" Stop here to solve the first clue as described in the next section. Then continue to the center of the bridge and enjoy the view!
From your vantage point above the Falls, you can see a pair of information panels on your left (west) side. Cross to the far side of the bridge, go down the steps and walk towards them. Keep walking 20m past the panels until you reach a staircase that goes nowhere. Affixed to its side is a plaque called "The Hogsback" which holds the second clue.
Next, turn around and head back to the pair of information panels you already passed. The one on the left is labeled "A Saga of try, try and try again..." while the one on the right reads "Hogs Back Falls: Formed and Re-Formed". These contain clues 3 and 4 respectively.
Now continue walking back toward the bridge, but stay to the right and go through the bike tunnel. 100m further on you'll spot another information panel at "The Point" overlooking Mooney's Bay. The fifth and final clue is on this plaque: "A Parting of the Waters".
Puzzling the Clues
At each plaque, transcribe the letters that are found in the specified position in the text. Do not count any words in the Title or Subtitle or the Caption name, only the letters in the main text (in English). Don't include spaces, punctuation, or numbers.
Plaque 1: "Impressive Landscape! Imposing Engineering!"
17 - 12 - 24 - 5 - 19 - 16 - 25 - 11 - 15 - 3 - 7
Plaque 2: "The Hogsback"
49 - 12 - 8 - 9 - 7 - 38 - 1 - 6 - 5 - 3
Plaque 3: "A Saga of try, try and try again..." (use the caption of the 1936 photo)
6 - 28 - 4 - 23 - 5 - 2 - 9 - 23 - 1 - 30 - 17 - 13 - 5 - 12
Plaque 4: "Hogs Back Falls: Formed and Re-Formed"
5 - 27 - 3 - 30 - 35 - 2 - 1 - 20 - 11 - 17 - 45
Plaque 5: "A Parting of the Waters" (use the caption of the 1948 photo)
39 - 31 - 7 - 17 - 46 - 3 - 31 - 21 - 10 - 22 - 12
Seeking the Prize
After you've collated all the clues you found through Wandering and Puzzling, you'll know what to do next. Power up your GPS, make your projection, and go find the cache!
NOTES: Any child old enough to help you count letters can easily access the hide location. A stroller may give you a bit of trouble in certain areas. Not recommended for wheelchairs.
Hogs Back Park is owned by the NCC so their dog rules apply. Your pooch must be on a leash and may not enter any picnic or food concession areas. Pets can't go in the water or within 3m of the shore.
Parking is free and the lot is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM.
Several finders have noted they "ran out of time" looking for this cache. It does take some work and a bit of thought to solve, but nothing too strenuous. You'll walk just over 1km and the "Takes less than 1 hour" attribute should be interpreted as "Takes almost an hour".