Take a Hike - Bridge to Nowhere Multi-Cache
mac367: This cache has run its course so it is time to archive. I am working on another one that I hope to have published soon. Thanks to all the folks that took a hike, and for all the nice logs.
Take a Hike - Bridge to Nowhere
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A 1.25 mile hike to and from the cache, 2.5 total, over varied terrain that can be quite muddy at times. There are some sections that have a little bit of poison ivy along the trail edge. No bushwacking is required.
4-4-15 Update: Since this cache was originally placed the namesake Bridge to Nowhere has been torn down and replaced by a Bridge to Somewhere. Based on the positive comments of the finders and some e-mails I decided to keep this one active. Due to the construction, the original hiding place no longer exists. The new hiding place is less than 100 ft from the original. This might be a little easier to find, but I did not want to change the difficulty rating. Please re-hide the container exactly as it is currently hidden. I hope all the future finders appreciate the Hike and the cache.
I have been hiking the trails quite a bit this spring just to get out and enjoy the outdoors, and to get my "trail" legs back for an upcoming backpacking trip. I have also enjoyed the cache hides in North Chagrin by some of my fellow cachers along the way. During one of my hikes I noticed this “Bridge to Nowhere” and thought others would enjoy this location also.
The cache is not hidden at the posted coordinates. The coordinates take you to the trailhead at the A. B. Williams Memorial Woods parking lot to begin your hike. You will be gathering information from various points along the trail to compute the final coordinates.
The final is at: N 41 34. ABC W 81 25. DEF
From the trailhead follow the Sylvan Loop trail (marked by a maple leaf) for approximately .25 miles to Stage1. You are now at the beginning of the Castle Valley trail marked by, you guessed it, a castle. The trail marker at Stage1 has a 1” round metal disk with a number stamped on it. Record this number. Be sure you are at the correct trail marker. It is on the left side of the trail across from a bench.
Proceed along the Castle Valley trail towards Stage2. This section of the trail can be very muddy so plan accordingly. Along this stretch just past the first bridge I had an encounter with an owl. As I was hiking and watching where my feet were going I had the distinct feeling I was being watched. So I looked up and staring at me from the limb of a tree with those big eyes was an owl.
At approximately .6 miles in you will come to another trail marker at Stage2. Record the number stamped on this marker. Be sure to take the trail on the right as you resume hiking. (8-8-2013 The trail has been slightly re-routed at Stage2. If you follow the new section you will proceed straight after collecting the number instead of heading right. The trail marker is still intact. 4-9-17 Part of the re-route of the trail has been undone, perhaps naturally or by the park system. You will need to turn right at the trailmarker.) Continue along the trail for about .4 miles to Stage3. Collect the number stamped on the trail marker. There are 2 trail markers in the vicinity, the one you seek is a bit ODD. From this point be sure to continue along the Castle Valley trail, not the bridle trail. Very soon you will encounter the part of the hike that earns this cache its terrain rating. If any little ones are along for the hike you might want to hold their hand and keep them on your right as you descend. At the bottom of the hill at Stage4 you will be on a manmade structure. Count the number of vertical posts. After collecting this number plug them all into the formula below to arrive at the final destination.
A= Stage3 second digit - Stage3 first digit
B= Stage3 first digit + Stage2 first digit
C= Stage4
D= Stage4 – 2
E= Stage1
F= Stage2 second digit
After finding the cache, enjoy your hike back out of the woods, but remember, what goes down, must go up! If anyone has any info on why the park system "benched" this bridge, please include it in your log if you are so inclined.
This cache meets the Cleveland Metroparks hidden objects guidelines. Please follow all Cleveland Metropark regulations. Allthough the park is open past sunset, I don't recommend seeking this cache after dark unless you are familiar with the trails. This is the first of several Take a Hike caches I am planning.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)