Johnson Creek Watershed Walk Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

GeoCrater: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no word from the owner in the month or more since the last reviewer note was posted. If you want to re-activate the cache during the next couple of months, please contact GeoCrater to see if that's possible. If the cache meets current guidelines, consideration will be given based on the circumstances surrounding the original archival.

GeoCrater
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Additional translation added as I support a number of countries:

Lamento archivar este caché, ya que no ha habido ninguna comunicación del propietario en el tiempo transcurrido (un mes o más) desde que se publicó la nota del revisor. Si deseas reactivar el caché durante los próximos dos meses, por favor, ponte en contacto con GeoCrater para ver si esto es posible. Si el caché cumple con las directrices en vigor, se estudiará dicha petición teniendo en cuenta las circunstancias que llevaron el archivo original.

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Hidden : 2/18/2012
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This multi-cache will take you on a 2-3 mile walk (or bike ride) through some lovely spots in the Johnson Creek watershed.

I love hunting for geocaches while taking a walk or a hike, and have discovered many interesting places this way. This multi-cache will take you on a 2-3 mile walk through some lovely spots in the Johnson Creek watershed. My son, who is to blame for getting me hooked on geocaching, did his Eagle Scout project on streamside restoration along Johnson Creek with the help of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council (visit link) So, I was inspired for my first cache to offer a favorite walk of mine, exploring Johnson Creek as it winds through inner southeast Portland. If you don’t have the time for a long walk, grab your bike. Since the walk and calculations will take some time and effort, I’m raising the difficulty rating as a reward.

Before you leave home, do some research to first gather a few simple facts about the Johnson Creek Watershed. There is a fair bit of arithmetic involved to find the 7 waypoints and the final, so definitely bring something to take notes on or print out the one page list of variables and calculations (see image in the gallery). Note: At each step, variables represented as AA indicate a two-digit number, EEE a three-digit number, etc. At each waypoint, you will be gathering additional information to calculate the next waypoint and ultimately, the final coordinates of the cache.

Information to gather before you leave home (use the related web site listed above):
Let AA = the length of Johnson Creek in miles from its headwaters to its confluence with the Willamette River. If you find two possible values, pick the even number.
Let BB = the area in square miles of the Johnson Creek Watershed, also an even number.
Let C = the number of cities that Johnson Creek passes through.
Let D = the number of counties that Johnson Creek passes through.

The starting coordinates bring you to Johnson Creek City Park in SE Portland. This will be a good place to leave the car and start on your walk to reach the 7 other waypoints, gathering information along the way to seek the final cache. You may experience a bit of bounce with your GPSr at certain waypoints, but I hope the information you seek will be fairly obvious. Enjoy the walk!

To reach waypoint #1:
Let EEE = the decimal portion of the starting latitude – AA

Waypoint #1 N 45˚ 27.EEE’ W 122˚ 38.5BB’

You are now standing with a good view of where Crystal Springs Creek, flows into Johnson Creek. Both salmon and steelhead have been spotted in the Reed Canyon on the campus of nearby Reed College. These fish made their way from the Willamette River up Johnson Creek and then up Crystal Springs Creek into the Reed Canyon. Standing on this bridge and facing the confluence of the two creeks, count the number of vertical wooden posts (FF) on one side of the bridge.

Let GGG = EEE – FF – (10*D)
Let HH = (FF + AA – BB)*D

Waypoint #2 N 45˚ 27.GGG’ W 122˚ 38.5HH’

At waypoint #2, the Springwater Corridor Trail crosses over Johnson Creek on one of the “3 Bridges” completed in the summer of 2006. Facing to look back at the confluence of Crystal Springs Creek and Johnson Creek, there are (I) vertical metal grids on one side of the viewing “bump-out” on this bridge. Count the total number of bolts (JJ) used to hold these grids in place. Check the hint if you are unsure of your answer for JJ.

Let KKK = (250*I) + JJ
Let LL = (I*JJ) – AA
Note: “I” represents the variable and not the number one.

Waypoint #3 N 45˚ 27.KKK’ W 122˚ 37.7LL’

This waypoint is located at milepost #M on the Springwater Corridor Trail. The coordinates may give you a bit of trouble here, as there is a lot of bounce, but you should easily spot what you are looking for.

Let NNN = (M*100) + (D*100)
Let OOO = (I*JJ*M) + 10
Note: “I” represents the variable and not the number one.

Waypoint #4 N 45˚ 27.NNN’ W 122˚ 37.OOO’

From this bridge over Johnson Creek, you can see a lower bridge and a good spot for you or a geopup to enjoy the creek. Count the number of bolts (PP) along one side of the top rail just below the hand railing. Check the hint if you are unsure of your answer.

Let QQQ = (PP*JJ) + (I*M)
Let RRR = (JJ/2)*(PP + I)
Note: “I” represents the variable and not the number one.

Waypoint #5 N 45˚ 27.QQQ’ W 122˚ 37.RRR’

At waypoint #5, there is a sheltered place to rest in Tideman Johnson Park, a charming little nature area along Johnson Creek. This park is named after Tideman Johnson, who settled in the area in 1878 and encouraged public use of lands along the creek. Interestingly, Tideman Johnson was no relation to William Johnson, the namesake of Johnson Creek. From one end or the other, look up at the structure sheltering you from rain and sun. On the crossbeams supporting the roof, count the total number of bolts (SS) on both ends.

Let TTT = PP*(PP + I)
Let UUU = (SS*PP) + I
Note: “I” represents the variable and not the number one.

Waypoint #6 N 45˚ 27.TTT’ W 122˚ 37.UUU’

At waypoint #6, you will see another sign. Count the number of letters in the title of this sign (VV).

Let WWW = TTT + SS
Let XXX = UUU – C*(VV + M)

Waypoint #7 N 45˚ 27.WWW’ W 122˚ 37.XXX’

At waypoint #7, a sign states that students and neighbors have been working since YYYY to restore Johnson Creek to a healthy stream habitat.

The decimal minutes of the final North coordinate are YYYY – [(VV + JJ)*(VV + C)]
The decimal minutes of the final West coordinate are YYYY – [(PP*PP) + NNN]

FINAL N 45˚ 27.???’ W 122˚ 38.???’

*** CONGRATS to NoBucksRanch, Two Finders Keepers, Northwest Treehugger, DocDTA, and DKestrel on the team effort FTF! ***

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jnlcbvag #2: WW vf qvivfvoyr ol P. Jnlcbvag #5: CC zngpurf nabgure ahzrevpny inevnoyr. Purpxfhz bs abegu pbbeqvangr vapyhqvat qrterrf naq zvahgrf = 33. Purpxfhz bs jrfg pbbeqvangr vapyhqvat qrterrf naq zvahgrf = 30. Nqqvgvbany uvagf naq zngu purpxf cebivqrq sbe QASf

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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