Box Car Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Since the 1970’s, recreationalists have been making their way to the Maupin area to enjoy the Deschutes river, the “Crown Jewel of Oregon.” The name Deschutes originated when French explorers referred to the riviere des chutes, meaning the river of the falls. They were referring to the Celilo Falls where the Deschutes River empties into the Columbia River. The river provides much of the drainage on the eastern side of the Cascade Range in Oregon, gathering many of the tributaries that descend from the eastern, drier flank of the mountains. Historically, it provided a major route to and from the Columbia for Native Americans and later pioneers on the Oregon Trail. It flows mostly through rugged and arid country, and its valley provides a cultural heart for central Oregon. Today the river provides irrigation to the area farms and is popular in the summer for whitewater rafting and fishing.
This cache location is home of the Box Car rapid. The Oregon Truck Line Railroad suffered one of its worst accidents in March 1954. As an engine rounded the corner, the track was blocked by a rockslide which caused three locomotives and twelve boxcars to derail. One boxcar and one locomotive landed in the river. The removal of the locomotive and boxcar took weeks, and the local folklore is that Campbell’s soup cans could be found downriver for months to come. Depending on who you ask, some will tell you that they were never able to get that boxcar out of the river and it’s that very boxcar that created the Class Three rapid many rafters aim to perfect. Then there are others who would dispel that fictitious rumor by arguing that the boxcar would never hold up in the water or the pressure.
The Box Car rapid is just one of the many kickin rapids of the Deschutes. Maupin acts as the Gateway to the Deschutes River because it is the only town located along the Lower stretch of the Deschutes. Maupin welcomes recreationalists, new and old. Contact any of the local rafting companies to book a guided trip. Or if you dare, rent a raft from the local outfitters and test your ability to “read the river,” but be sure to learn the rules of the river and purchase a Boater’s Pass.
There is plenty of parking at this landmark rapid. During the summer months, there is a photographer stationed on the large boulders to capture the fun. You will need to take a short hike off the road, but nothing a quick hop and jump won’t cure. Be careful of rattlesnakes in the hot season.
This cache is one of the 12 caches in the Historical Maupin GeoTour operated by the Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce. This tour offers a Geocacher the opportunity to learn about the Central Oregon Historical Experience as it relates to the Maupin Area.
Complete the 12 Cache Passport and the first 250 receive a custom Maupin Area Chamber of Commerce GeoCoin.
Passports can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center or online at
www.visitmaupin.com
Contact Info: MaupinChamber@gmail.com
Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is located on
Highway 197
Maupin, Oregon 97037
Congrats to opiinnkeeper for being the FTF! [: D]
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