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The Giant Trestle Needs Some Work Traditional Cache

Hidden : 4/11/2014
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located next to one of at least six steam-era RR trestles on this old grade leading out of the old Palmer Mill. All have collapsed but the remains are obvious. This was once one of the main lines out of Palmer and it continues to the south for many miles but is so overgrown in places it is extremely difficult to follow, especially after it enters privately held timberland in section 35.


Logging railroad lines radiated out of the Palmer Mill starting in 1890 when mill owners purchased the first of several steam locomotives. When the first mill and mill town, located at the current junction of Palmer Mill Road and Brower Road burned to the ground in the fall of 1902, a new mill and town were built 1 3/4 miles farther up Palmer Mill Road. This line likely dated to that time. By the mid 1930's, the lines were abandoned and the operations ended. Many of the old RR grades were re-graded as logging roads and part of your hike to this cache is on one of those grades.

 

Start at the big switchback on Brower Road, about mile 2.8, parking in the turnout. There are two dirt/gravel roads leading into the forest there - you want the less obvious one farther to the north. Follow this road, staying on the most travelled route at the many junctions. There may be a fallen tree or two, but easy to get around or over. The road eventually becomes an ATV trail and heads down a fairly steep slope about a mile and a half in. You will see a survey marker on the right and a benchmark. Standing at the benchmark, you are in the center of the remains of this once 60 foot high and 350 foot long structure. The cache is uphill on the other side of the pile, about two feet from the remains of the timbers.

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Sebz gur orapuznex, ybbx hcuvyy npebff gur qroevf naq svaq n snqrq cvrpr bs synttvat anvyrq ybj ba n ynetr ebggrq fghzc. Gur pnpur vf haqre n ynetr gvzore nobhg 30 srrg gb gur evtug bs gur fghzc.

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)