Castle Rock Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

holazola: I hate to archive a great hide with a bunch of favorite points, but the landscaping at the original hide location has changed, and the very custom container (a large faux rock) has been taken. In the spirit of refreshing the gameboard, I have a new hide in the works, in a nearby spot with a different container.

Thanks to all that visited! And especially those who gave it favorite points.

More
Hidden : 8/24/2014
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


In the early 1800's near this location a Castillo, ("castle", or fortification) was built at the edge of the cliff overlooking the harbor and West Beach. Just below the Castillo itself, a large rock outcropping known as Castle Rock rose above the waves. This huge rock was second only to the Mission as a tourist attraction and subject for post cards and paintings. Tourists and residents alike were fascinated with this natural formation and climbed on it, posed on it, and picnicked on it.

Prior to 1881, there was no way to get west of Castle Rock, except at low tide. But in January 1881, a group of private citizens organized a work party, and using only picks, shovels, crowbars and sledges they managed to open a small road behind the rock and in just two days. Over the years this road got bigger, and the rock got smaller.

Today, Castle Rock is long gone. So what happened? In the late 1920's an offshore breakwater was made (about where the line of flags stand today). It calmed the water a little too well, and the natural flow of sand via the current was interrupted and started filling in just east of Castle Rock. To keep the sand from filling the harbor completely it was decided to extend the east end of the breakwater by several hundred feet and also build an arm connecting it to the land where Castle Rock stood. Castle Rock was dynamited to provide material for this connecting section of the breakwater. The twin pillars at the entrance to the breakwater walkway below are just about where Castle Rock stood.

Castillo Point and Castle Rock are at "B" in this 1928 aerial photo.

The breakwater was completed in June, 1930, and the area west of the breakwater quickly filled with sand to create Leadbetter Beach. In addition, West Beach between Castillo and State expanded dramatically and Stearns Wharf now spans more than 400' of sand rather than water. To this day, the harbor needs to be dredged out yearly to keep the sand from closing the mouth.

The old 1928 shoreline is shown in red in this 2010 satellite image.

Big Thanks to Neal Graffy for his research and stewardship of Santa Barbara History!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

irel ernpunoyr sebz cngu

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)


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