In honor of Tina Batt – Revived Traditional Cache
In honor of Tina Batt – Revived
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a replacement for the previous cache which seemed to be repeated ravaged by animals. Hopefully this one will prove more enduring. Since it’s essentially a new hide, I figured I’d make it a whole new listing. New hide is worthy of a new FTF and a unique new count to your list. Please replace the cache exactly as found to preserve the difficulty level I have assigned. This is an about 1 quart container with rather odd camo stuffed full of fun kids trade items.
Many folks go across hill and dale following their gps. To avoid this use the narrow Tina Batt trail, see waypoint. Or, get pdf map from Land Trust Website. This is a bit off the trail, so expect a few burs in your socks.
Caution, the hint is nearly a spoiler. Land Trust Map is at the link. The trail is only provided on this map and does not yet appear on gps maps: (visit link)
To access this cache it is easiest via the Tina Batt trail (not on GPS maps yet, get the Land Trust Map), no need to slog across country. This trail has been named in honor of Tina Batt of Martinez who was the motivating force behind the founding of the Martinez Land Trust, which has since been renamed the Muir Heritage Land Trust, an organization dedicated to the acquisition and preservation of lands in Contra Costa county. In addition to the Sky/Dutra Ranch group the land trust has been responsible for preserving more than 1,800 acres in Contra Costa county, including the well known Mt. Wanda. Thank you Tina Batt for your vision that has made this preservation possible.
This cache is located in land owned by the Muir Heritage Land Trust. Using donations this non-profit organization buys land for conservation purposes in central Contra Costa County. Currently the Sky Ranch/Dutra Ranch/Gustin Properties group of parcels encompassing several hundred acres. The Land Trust is seeking to purchase more land creating a corridor along Franklin Ridge between Mt. Wanda and Fernandez Ranch (no yet open to the public) in Hercules..
Maps to the Sky Ranch/Dutra Ranch/Gustin Properties are available at the Land Trust’s web site. By my currently limited geocaching experience, this seems to be pretty substantial hike/bike to get to the cache location. When placing the caches, from my car on Franklin Canyon Rd, doing the full loop trail, and back to my car was just over 6 miles by my GPS.
Do not be fooled by the map on the geocaching web site that shows a network of roads near these caches. These roads are behind locked gates. To access the properties begin your hike/bike at the public Contra Costa Feeder Trail No. 1 which begins at the end of the public portion of Dutra Rd (about 200 ft past the railroad undercrossing). From there it is about 1 mile with a steady 700 foot uphill hike to the entrance of the land trust properties. Once inside the land trust properties begin your navigation to the cache. Several miles of trails are available inside these parcels. This ridge top preserve offers beautiful scenic panoramas of Carquinez Straits, Suisun Bay, Benicia, and Martinez. You can see from the Twin Sisters northeast Vacaville to the Montezuma Hills near Fairfield.
For your comfort consider that inside the preserve consider that no water or bathroom facilities. Ticks and poison oak are abundant. I took special care not to place caches near poison oak. No need for any heavy bush whacking. Although generally only light traffic is present, beware when walking/biking on Franklin Canyon Rd and Dutra Rd, as there are little to shoulder.
Driving directions, get on Highway 4 towards central Martinez; west from Highway 680 and east from Highway 80. Take the Alhambra Ave. exit. Turn south on Alhambra Ave.. Take the very next right turn on to Franklin Canyon Rd.. In slightly less than 1 mile you will turn left on Dutra Rd. About 100 feet past the railroad undercrossing Contra Costa Feeder Trail No. 1 will be on your left. There is very limited parking, and generously one might say there is parking for two compact cars or one larger vehicle. If no parking is available on Dutra Rd, there are a fair bit of shoulder parking on the north side Franklin Canyon Road. From Franklin Canyon Rd it is about 750 foot walk up to the Feeder Trail.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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Treasures
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