Cordova Cascades Traditional Cache

A beautiful secluded spot where locals like to come and cool down in summer. Container is VERY well hidden. Please take extreme care in replacing the geocache EXACTLY as you found it to maintain its Difficulty Level. 

Cordova Waterfall is a lovely cascade on Deer River connecting Cordova Lake and Belmont Lake. This is a tricky little cache to figure out how to approach and a difficult cache to find.

Fortunately, there are some nymphs that can help you if you are quiet and look carefully for their signs. Wood nymphs live in the woods. The cache is in their territory on the EAST side of the Cordova Waterfall. You do NOT need to cross the waterfall. The treasure you seek is south of the dam and north of the small hydroelectric building. The only muggles you may encounter could be during the heat of the summer when local families come here to play and splash around in the lovely cascades. In autumn, water levels will be lower. In early spring and winter, be careful to stay away from the fast moving water. The treasure is really well hidden about 15 metres from the waterfall, elevation of 200 metres, along a path that comes down from the dam on the lake. Perhaps the path is used by the wood nymphs that guard the cache. If the nymphs have been messy, please CITO out some of their party trash. There are many ways to approach this geocache. Your choice will likely depend on which season it is when you are visiting. In late fall and winter, you might try to find the path from the dam or bushwack from the Crown Land Road over to the waterfall because you won’t have to step around poison ivy. During summer, you could walk down from the Crown Land Road to the small hydroelectric building and use the rock path, wading up towards the waterfall until you hit the “path” going up. This is how most locals get to the waterfall. If taking this approach, wear water shoes as there are zebra mussels. If you don't want to go near the hydroelectric building, it's a very peaceful 200 metre walk on the path beside the rapids that starts at the dam and goes straight to the cache.

There is sufficient parking at the Cordova boat launch for over 10 vehicles. Please park your vehicle there and walk to the cache. You COULD park on the Crown Land Road that is directly east of the river, near the hydroelectric building, but that road is not maintained, and might be a little rough on your car.  

If you approach from the hydroelectric building, which is how most families approach to come swimming during summer, please avoid going south as that is clearly indicated as private land by the land owners.

As with all waterfalls, caution must be taken to avoid injuries. You may see locals swimming at the bottom of the cascades, even with the undertow and current, but you do NOT need to swim to get to the geocache. I’m just saying that, if you want to avoid poison ivy, you can approach the waterfall from the hydroelectric building and do a little wading (up to your ankles or shins).

Once you see this place, you might be tempted to stay and play awhile. For sure you will want to bring your camera, maybe even a picnic lunch.  

NOTE : This geocache is NOT for the faint of heart. Please do not take the D/T level for granted. It can be done safely by coming prepared. Water shoes with good grip in the summer. Long pants, long sleeved shirts in other seasons.