I'm not sure why, but somehow it seemed appropriate to place this virtual cache on the date that geocaching turns 18.
This cache will bring you on a nice walk to a special location that many Portlanders and visitors have explored by meandering along the trails next to Balch Creek. The signs in the park refer to "Stone House" but locals are more likely to refer to it as the Witch's Castle. There are stories on the internet (so they must be true!) about two young lovers who in the 1850s eloped against the wishes of their parents, the young woman's father threatening to murder her lover, following through on the threat, and ultimately leading to Oregon's first legal execution. The castle itself was built close to 100 years later and used as a park ranger station and restrooms for hikers, then it was damaged in the 1960s (perhaps during the 1962 Columbus Day storm?) and abandoned. Local high school students found it in the 1980s and named it "the Witch's Castle."
If you approach from above, it's about a mile round trip including a few switchbacks, if you approach from below it's about a mile and a half round trip but more level. Note that it can get quite crowded on a sunny day.
To claim the find, count the number of metal stumps that used to be poles on the floor on the "room" upstairs, and send me an e-mail with that information. Not a requirement, but it would be appreciated if you would take a picture of the location and post it for others to see.
This cache complies with the geocaching policies for Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) properties. Please respect park hours when caching.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.