Clever_Cachers: "Welcome to the Creek" (https://coord.info/GC3DTDB) was hidden on 03-03-2012 by Robosaurus. We adopted it on 08-22-2022 and replaced the mishandled cache. The original cache had been dropped through a slit in the tree to its hollow center. We assumed the cache had permission to be hidden where it was.
To complement that cache and to try to give it more geocaching traffic, we hid companion cache "On the Way to the Creek" (https://coord.info/GC9YX87) on 08-25-2022.
Fast forward a few years to 2024. A recent geocacher reported to us that a sign with this wording had been erected at the parking coordinates:
PRIVATE PROPERTY
This land is owned and maintained by the
Eldorado Springs homeowners.
NO TRESPASSING
If you are asked to leave, you must leave or you are
committing the crime of Criminal Trespass 2
(RCW 9A.52.080) and could be subject to arrest and
prosecution.
Oh no! We drove to the parking coordinates and validated this unfortunate development for ourselves. The nearby housing development was finally completed, and their HOA had erected the sign.
After examining Google Maps, we found an alternate trailhead to the southeast. Upon visiting it, we found the same sign. [Well, not the SAME sign, but the same wording on a different sign!] We found another sign with the same wording at their private neighborhood park along 219th Ave SE.
In addition to this, both geocaches have at least two recent DNFs. At least we don't have to feel bad about not picking up any geolitter!
Due to all of this, we are very reluctantly archiving not one but two geocaches for the first time, one of which is our first (and currently only) adoption. [This feels like putting down two of our pets.] These were also our only two Maple Valley caches.
The gameboard has been cleaned, but don't plan to put any geocaches back in this area unless you get explicit permission from the Eldorado Springs Homeowners Association for the geocache placement and for the flow of geocachers that will result from it.
Thank you for allowing us to share these two geocaches with you, the geocaching community. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜