Island of Despair Traditional Cache
North Coast Cacher: Archiving. Had a good run. THANKS!!! to all that have visited this location.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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There is a small rocky island - when it is not covered over by water - in the Republican River a few miles east of the spillway at Milford Lake. I pass over the bridge on US Hwy 77 that spans the Republican River at this point going to/from work everyday and would look out into the distance and see this little island. I would always think it would be a good location to place a cache on that island.
When the water is released from the spillway and the Republican River becomes inundated with water, this small rocky and wooded island would be under water and only the tree tops would be sticking above the water. When the spillway is closed and the water level is allowed to subside, this small rocky and wooded island would slowly re-appear. Eventually, the water level will become so low that local fisherman will venture out to it to fish from. Also, local fisherman will fish underneath the highway bridge and along the river banks - there are some good deep holes that are ideal for fishing.
Anyway, there is now a cache placed on that small and wooded island. NO boats of any type or floatation devices of anytype are allowed on this part of the Republican River - DO NOT attempt with those items, you may have a bad day if caught by local law enforcement and/or Corps of Engineers.
There are a few ways to access this cache on the island. Either way will entail some adventurous hiking and (depending on route chosen) some bushwacking, rocky areas to traverse, and depending on water level, some wading (no more than ankle deep). Plus, there may be slippery/muddy spots present. Also, the Fort Riley/Junction City River Walk passes by this area on the north bank of the Republicn River, so you may see some bicyclists, joggers, hikers, and even soldiers doing physical fitness training along the trail. If you attempt the cache from the trail, EXPECT some sort of adventure - NOT recommended.
Anybody that lives in the Junction City, KS, area and that has ever driven across this bridge probably have noticed vehicles parked at either the north/south ends of the highway bridge and on the east/west sides. These are the local fisherman parking and then hiking to their favorite fishing spots underneath the bridge or along the river banks. One way to access this cache is to park at the following coordinates:
N39* 04.177 W096*52.039
These coordinates will place you at the SOUTHERN end of bridge and on the WESTERN side. Also, appears to be decent enough parking directly opposite of parking coordinates on EASTERN side of highway. Be sure to pull off the side of the road as safely as possible. Whenever I park and fish this spot, I park here and then back up a bit in order to keep the guard rail between my vehicle and the highway. You are now ready for your adventure. PLEASE use CAUTION if searching for this cache from this spot. Round trip hike westward should be roughly 1/2 mile or so.
Another parking spot, and lots more safer, is to park in the lot at South Outlet Park off of KS Hwy 57 heading towards the dam. Coordinates are:
N39* 04.482 W096* 53.421
From this location you will hike east along the river bank. Distance from this location is a lot longer (roughly 1 mile) than from the bridge and entails more bushwacking and questionable ground.
A word of CAUTION: when trying to attempt this cache I ADVISE you to scout the area out first in order to determine the depth of the water. A good way to do that is simply drive north/south on US Hwy 77 crossing the bridge and looking WEST. If the only thing you see is the tree tops above the water, please wait until the water level subsides - the spillway has been opened and the water has been released smothering that little island - I do not recommend attempting cache search. If you can ACTUALLY see the rocks of the island then the water level should be low enough to hike to cache location (but there may be some form of wading to cache site so expect wet feet/foot wear). If you see the rocks of the island and rocks leading from the island to the shoreline, then the water level should be low enough so that you can reach the island without getting your feet wet (much). Main thing - plan appropriately.
Also, this is a location that I would not recommend flip-flops/sandals or short pants, but that is up to you, the geocaching adventurer.
NO SWIMMING or BOATS/FLOATATION DEVICES OF ANY KIND allowed in this portion of the Republican River due to the swift currents possible when the dam releases water.
You will be looking for PILL BOTTLE.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Znl unir gb qb fbzr pyvzovat!!