GC44VEA Kiama suburbs - Saddleback Mountain (Traditional Cache) in New South Wales, Australia created by Wilbert67

GC44VEA ▼

A cache by Wilbert67 Message this owner

Hidden : 1/23/2013

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A series of caches to celebrate the suburbs and localities located within the Kiama Local Government Area. According to an idea of Hoojar who did the same for Wollongong.

Saddleback Mountain is a mountain which rises to about 600 metres above sea level and has spectacular views of Noorinan Mountain, 662 metres above sea level, and Barren Grounds Plateau to the west and south to Coolangatta Mountain. It has a distinctive saddle-shaped peak and is connected to the southernmost tip of the Illawarra Escarpment (though the escarpment itself continues into Kangaroo Valley. Its summit is reached by Saddleback Mountain road, which goes from Kiama to the summit via a steep turn-off from the main road. This section is often used by walkers and cars but buses are not allowed due to the risk. Saddleback lookout, near the electric towers on the summit and the Western and Southern lookouts, has fine views and is popular with tourists and motorists who drive up the winding picturesque road to the summit which passed dairy country common in the area. The lookout is on a wooden projected deck, with fine views of Noorinan Mountain, Knights Hill, lake Illawarra, Stockyard Mountain and other features of the plain. The chimneys of Port Kembla stand out near the horizon. The west lookout looks to Noorinan Mountain promontory and at the Barren Grounds Plateau, and, to the south, Fox Mountain, Mount Coolangatta and the Shoalhaven. The entire area was once covered by a subtropical rainforest known as the Illawarra Scrub but is now restricted to a small area around the summit lookout. The foothills include much dairy farming, and many historic dry walls remain. On the eastern ridge of the mountain is Saddleback House and in the northern foothills is Jerrara Dam, the region's first water supply, built in the 19th century. Just north of the summit is a second peak, lesser known, called Mount Brandon. A few kilometres south is Fox Mountain, an extension of Saddleback with its own peak. The road is good, but some parts are pretty bumpy. Saddleback Mountain has previously been known for rumors of Satanic Rituals that may or may not have occurred in the bush and forested areas on the mountain and in the surrounding escarpment. Nothing has been proven, yet sites of satanic symbols and blood have said to have been found and some people have claimed to have had spiritual experiences such as feeling a presence of evil in areas near the mountain, yet it is not the only mountain in the Illawarra Escarpment to have had such rumors about it.

Unfortunately, the summit has already a couple of caches. This forced me to ascent the mountain on the western side towards Hoddles track. It is a very steep descent and ascent, you have been warned. The car park is locked between sunset and sunrise

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

pybfr gb gur ovt bar

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)