Susquehanna Bridges- Chinklacamoose Traditional Cache
skeetsurfer: Archiving this cache page due to lack of response from cache owner for 1 month.
Susquehanna Bridges- Chinklacamoose
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is part of a series of caches highlighting bridges that cross the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Clearfield County. beware of mugglers, may not be accessible during periods of high water.
The cache had to be temporarily replaced due to construction of a new boat launch by the fish commission. Once work is done I will return it to much the same way it was before (a 4/4 cache) The Bridge associated with this cache is just upstream of the confluence of Deer Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. So what's with the name "Chinklacamoose"? Some of my fondest mememories are when I was canoing this river as a Boy Scout back in the mid to late 70's. I have canoed this river from Cherry Tree to Lock Haven. Besides the peaceful solitude that lines much of this river, I developed many skills that I am using even today, such as service to others. I have learned about the rich history associated with the river (did you know that the local indians had a secret silver ore mine near the river that has never been found to this day). I have met many people along the West Branch (including a Campfire Girls group from Hamburg, NY). In 1967, Clearfield Troop 7 came up with the idea that a canoe trip from Clearfield to North Bend would be a great activity. At the same time Dr. Frederick Gilmore, Chairman of the Clearfield District of the Bucktail Council had been planning to develop canoeing on the West Branch as a Troop or Post activity on a local and national scale. The result of the two endevours was the Chinclacamoose Wilderness Canoes Trip award (see above for picture of patch with all five segment patches). For scouters to earn the award, they must be a minimum rank to start it, complete all five segments of the trip either individually or in one extended trip, and complete a service project along the trip such as developing a spring house. If the scouter is completing the segments over multi years, they must advance a rank for each year they canoe the river trail. Troop 7 developed several campsites along the river during the summers of 1968 and 1969. O. Lynn Frank, Chairman of Trails & Camps; Awards Committee, Clearfield District, B.S.A. authored the book used to complete the award (many non scouters use this book to guide themeselves on multiday canoe trips). This book includes a good history of the role the river played in 19th and 20th century logging operations,the requirements to complete the award, a detailed listing of the five river segments,suggested menues for meals along the river, a trip schedule, a map of the river that in addition to showing campsites and springs along the river, it shows the locations of named river rapids, ripples and obsticles. The map also shows historical points of interest along the river that were gathered from several sources. The trail is 80 miles long (scouts can also use this trip to earn the 80 miler award) and takes approximately 25 hours of paddle time. To view or print the trail book go to the following link: www.personal.psu.edu/gal4/Chinklacamoose.pdf Enjoy the river and bridges of this series. The book is also available to the general public. The copyright had expired and the Clearfield Historical Society has gained a new copyright to preserve the Historical aspects of the trail. They are available for purchase at the Clearfield Historical Society but it is not required to use in your geocaching quests.
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