Groundhog Den Traditional Cache
GEO.JOE: Archiving this cache and hid a new one to stay in compliance with SNF geocaching policy. SNF geocaching policy says caches are only allowed to remain in place for 1 year and all caches that were in place as of January 2015 could remain in place for one year.
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Located at a little hidden natural bridge, you have to go in the small opening then under the bridge to get into the valley and find the cache.
You will park where power lines cross Bowman Bottoms Rd, just pull to the side of the road, no designated parking area. You can follow the power lines to where the bluffs of this valley are at the edge of the powerline cut. I don't know the name of this valley or this natural bridge so I am calling it Groundhog Den natural bridge because it looks like you are going into a den to get below the bridge then it opens up into a shelter cave. The coordinates will bring you to the edge of the bluff over the natural bridge but the opening is not very obvious so look around behind you for an opening with some boulders at the mouth of the opening that you have to step over to get down under the natural bridge. I was able to walk very bent over, duck walk without my pack on and went down on one knee to get under the lowest part of the opening but it is only 12 ft or so before you can stand up easier.
After you get under the natural bridge and out to find the cache make sure you check out the bridge and adjoining shelter cave. After you are in the valley there are no trails in this area but it is not difficult bushwhacking. If you are up for some exploring there is about 1/4 mile of bluff east, as well as another shelter cave just west of the bridge at the head of the valley and some seasonal waterfalls in wet weather. You can get back out of the valley 600 ft south of the cache, just continue along the bluff until the bluff ends and you can walk up to the powerlines then across the power lines to the Schwegman Ecological Area for more exploring where there are no trails.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ubyybj bs gerr
Treasures
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