Skip to content

PASSPORT TO EAST BAY PARKS: Vargas Plateau Traditional Cache

Hidden : 5/4/2016
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Did you know that the East Bay Regional Parks District is the largest urban park system in the entire country? This geocache is part of the Passport to the East Bay Parks series.


There is one special geocache in each of the East Bay Regional Parks properties (except a few that don't allow geocaches.)  At the time of this cache placement, the park district encompasses 120,536 acres including over 1,250 miles of trails.  Please enjoy all the parks and trails, but please respect the Park rules.

Be sure to stamp your passport with the stamp provided in the geocache.   A few blank passports were in the container when the cache was hidden.  To be sure of having a passport, download one via Passport To The Parks.  In a pinch you can stamp a blank piece of paper and glue it into your passport later.  When you completely fill up your Passport, you can redeem it for a special prize. Of course, there is no cost for participating.  For further information on the Passport series, see Passport To The Parks

About Vargas Plateau:

Vargas Plateau is a beautiful park of mostly open grassland located in the hills above Fremont and Niles Canyon.  Your eye will wander from the pastoral sight of grazing cattle to the hawks flying over head, and then across the valley to the views of Mission Peak, Coyote Hills and many other wonderful places.  The park provides six miles of trails, including a segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and offers the hope of trail connections to several parks.

Vargas Plateau has a special claim to fame within the Park District for being one of the most anticipated parks in its history.  The land was purchased in the 1990’s but, for a number of reasons, remained closed to the public for 24-years.   It was worth the wait. Come see it.

Vargas Plateau opens at 8:00 a.m. daily.  Closing time varies by time of year but you should be able to count on it being open until 7:00 p.m..

To get to the park take Vargas Road off Interstate 680 to Morrison Canyon Road instead of from Mission Boulevard.  If your car GPS hasn't been updated it might try to take you to the park by some other route. Trust me, take 680 to Vargas even if your vehicle Nav system has other ideas.

Drive carefully on the 1-way road to/from the park.  Carpooling is recommended due to limited parking.  Do not park along the road (you'll get a ticket$).

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Cubgb uvag va 2-22-2023 ybtf. Onfr bs ebpxf. Vs lbh pna'g frr gur cubgb gel jnyxvat gbjneq gur pbbeqf sebz gur genvy. Jura lbhe xarrf uvg ebpxf lbh zvtug or noyr gb ernpu bire gurz gb fant gur pnpur.

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)