NO PHOTO = NO LOG
Ten miles north of Dahlonega, GA, at the intersection of US 19 and State Road 60, is a stone pile in a triangle where the roads cross, known as the Stone Pile Gap. This pile of stones marks the grave of a Cherokee princess, Trahlyta (trah-lee-ta). There is ample paved, pull-off parking on all four roads and plenty of "sidewalk" to gather before crossing. Please use caution!
It should be noted that the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has permanently removed the ‘Trahlyta’s Grave’ historical marker which has been next to the stone pile since erected in 1953.
However, on October 14, 2024 the Trahlyta Roundabout was dedicated as a historical site. This calls for the DOT to place and maintain a historical sign. At time of publishing this has not yet taken place.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE LEGEND: According to legend her tribe, living on Cedar Mountain north of here, knew the secret of the magic springs of eternal youth from the Witch of Cedar Mountain. Trahlyta, kidnapped by a rejected suitor, Wahsega, was taken far away and lost her beauty. As she was dying, Wahsega promised to bury her near her home and the magic springs. The magic springs, now known as Porter Springs, were found by Rev. Joseph McKee in 1868. The custom arose among the Indians and later the White Men to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune. The stones have been dropped by generations of passers-by who want good luck from the princess.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE CURSE: Twice the Georgia Department of Highways has attempted to move the grave during road construction. Both times at least one person died in an accident while moving the pile. Legend says that removing a stone from the pile will bring the curse of the Witch of Cedar Mountain upon the thief. Therefore, be sure you do not remove anything from this historic landmark. The stone grave remains today as it always has.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE REQUIREMENTS: In order to log this Virtual, you must visit "Trahlyta's Grave" at Stone Pile Gap (use the provided paved pull offs for parking and use caution crossing the highway) and choose one or more of the following. Any one of the four options is acceptable for logging. You must complete one of the four in order to claim. NO PHOTO = NO LOG!
1) Take a photo of you or a unique item at GZ with Trahlyta's Stone Pile in the background. Your face is not required.
2) Take a photo pointing at your favorite rock on the pile or with something unique. DO NOT REMOVE OR RELOCATE ANY OF THE TRIBUTE ROCKS.
3) Find one of the two painted Geocaching logo rocks and take a photo pointing at it or with something unique.
4) Bring your own special rock, painted or otherwise and add it to the the pile. Make a wish! Take a photo of/with your rock and post it in your log!
Congrats to Dewettes and Megster66 for FTF!!
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.