OLD FEDERAL HIGHWAY – Federal Creek Traditional Cache

Finding this cache takes one near the banks of Federal Creek in Athens County Ohio along the OLD FEDERAL HIGHWAY, so called because the road passes near a place called Federal and because this road was once part of the Federal Highway system.  Ohio route 550 provides valley and high ridge views of the forests of Southeastern Ohio.

When the US highway system was established, this road was labeled US route 50N, and later US route Alternate 50 (Alt50), eventually becoming US route 50A and then losing its Federal Highway status to become Ohio State route 550.  The route ran from Athens, Ohio to Marietta, Ohio and thirty-two miles beyond to join with US route 50S now just plain US50.  The route is scenic and offers some impressive views of the forested countryside in Southeastern Ohio.  Bring your own pen.  Watch for traffic.