"When you go to hide a geocache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the geocache, then find a better spot." – briansnat
A potentially land-accessible replacement to our prior boat-in-only Canoe d’ Que II cache, https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC30H55_canoe-d-que-ii, whose final was along the water line at the base of the nearby cliffs. We’ve pushed the cache approximately 200 feet inland (both horizontally and vertically) to a “flatter” spot to improve opportunity to visit this section of the lake.
Back in the beginning of geocaching, there were no downloadable parking coordinates embedded in the cache page. Many caches required some pre-hunt topo map research and/or ground reconnaissance to plan your approach. We would like to acknowledge and thank those who did take on that challenge under the original publication of this cache. They included LT Silverfox, playsoccer, and beans&franks.
During kayak outings to the cliffs, we noticed knotted ropes dangling down the cliff face below the current cache location. These were used by ancient (before our time) cliff divers for returning to their launches. However, the ropes are probably not as stable as they used to be, so approach from and return to your boat can be a rather precarious trip. Plus, cliff diving and swimming outside of the designated beach areas are not approved recreational activities at the Que.
With its July 2019 official opening, we can finally announce the presence of the Que Trail that the new cache site is adjacent. This Trail is a 16-mile trail was purpose-built by LHORBA for mountain biking but is open as non-motorized multi-use for hiking, trail running, xc skiing and snowshoeing, (no horses). The trail is closed to all use during certain hunting seasons. Please respect the trail closure signage. In addition to providing the most scenic overlook of the lake, the cache site is probably the most remote point on the trail loop. The best view of the lake from this spot is probably late fall or early spring when there are no leaves. The trail is also bench cut into a steep sidehill that can be intimidating to some riders.
The connector trail from Birdman angles away from the cache site. Follow it to the upper edge of the grove of pines. Then make a sharp left onto the Que Trail. You’ll cross one muddy area that we are still working on. The trail from the roadside Plank Rd parking requires a stream crossing, rideable by mountain bike. May be wet crossing on foot if the water is high. Both parking locations are about a mile from the cache.
As few cachers seem interested in the old school reconnaissance method that was initial required, we’ve added parking/trailhead coordinates. Trail markers have been at the Birdman trailhead since the cache was published.
There are numerous evergreens near GZ, so gps reception may be diminished. A picture of a partially fallen tree taken from the flattest spot near ground zero is provided. An expanded version of the photo beside the cache has been added. The cache is about 10-15 feet downslope of that flat spot. There seems to be enough trees and brush to keep you from tumbling further down and over the cliff. So much so, that it is difficult to get directly to the edge.
Although the approach may be about a mile, hopefully this “isolation” won’t trigger placement of a breadcrumb trail of geocaches to guide you in. There are Still a number of other interesting locations around the lake for placement of additional Unique caches that we don’t have time for, but would gladly share the locations of with other CO’s interested in placing them.