GC3QJP4 Holland Lake - "Schoolteacher's Island" (Traditional Cache) in Montana, United States created by GeezerGriz

This cache has been archived.

Miss Steele: Unfortunately, this cache page has been archived due to the lack of a timely maintanence resolution. If the owner would like to have it reinstated, please contact me through my profile within 10 days, referencing the GC code and name of the cache. Please note that un-archiving a cache page places it through the same review process as a newly proposed cache, using the cache placement guidelines currently in effect.

I want to thank you for the time that you have taken to contribute to geocaching in the past and look forward to seeing more of your caches up and running in the future.

Miss Steele
Volunteer Reviewer

GC3QJP4 ▼

A cache by GeezerGriz Message this owner

Hidden : 7/14/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A micro on a small island in Holland Lake.

Jump in a canoe or swim to this hide! A 35mm film container, containing only a log, hidden on the only true island in Holland Lake, Flathead National Forest. I kayaked to the hide location from the southside of the lake but from the northshore trail the island sits less than 125 feet off shore. It's too deep to wade, unless you're a professional basketball player but if you can follow the outcrops underwater you can probably limit you're actual swim to under 60 feet.

This island was once a cabin site but has had no occupants for at least 40 years. Local rumor has it that 3 sisters owned the cabin here and that upon the last survivor's death it was razed by the US Forest Service who owns the land. I don't believe there is an official name for this small island but the locals have referred to it as "Sister's Island".

Since I originally posted the write up on this cache more info on the history of the island has arrived in the newly published book on Swan Valley place names. It seems the real story is that 4 female schoolteachers from the Missoula area received the lease from the forest service in 1934 and lived there during the summers until 1974 when the last one died and the forest service burned down the cabin. During that period the locals called it "Schoolteachers Island" or "Old Maid" island. So as of July 15, 2013 I've changed the name of the cache... but left the original language in the paragraph above.

The north side of the island is surrounded by a shallow trench... be very careful if attempting that approach by motor craft or you could loose a prop. In winter this side channel freezes solid.

Have fun! Please re-hide the container like you found it so the hint will make sense to the next seekers. Don't forget your pencil!
Congrats to Mortards on the FTF!!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre gjb svfg fvmrq fgbarf hc va gur nve.

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)