Oregon Coast Trail
Clatsop Loop Section
OCT CL01 Images in the Mist
This cache is part of a series of hiking caches along northern sections of the
Oregon Coast Trail. This is the first cache in the Clatsop Loop section which
is 3 miles for the full loop.
WARNING! There are several extreme dropoffs at the edge of the trail and
not all are fenced off. Be sure to keep dogs leashed and children under
careful control.
The trailhead is at the upper (Indian Beach) parking area of Ecola State Park and that is also the
posted coordinates of this first cache. This
is a puzzle cache and is not at the posted coordinates - please solve the easy
field puzzle to learn the coordinates of the geocache.
This is a photo puzzle cache which you can solve by hiking up the WESTERN side
of the Clatsop Loop Trail - a short distance into the hike, turn left and cross
the bridge over the creek, following the "Viewpoint" and "Lighthouse Trail"
sign.
As you hike, watch for each of the six photo sites below. The first site
is at the start of the hike! The six photos are in order along the trail.
When you spot a photo site, answer the multiple choice question which follows
the photo. Make a note of the number following your answer choice.
These six numbers will complete the coordinates of the geocache location.
At the top of the loop hike is a primitive hikers' camp. You can sit at
the convenient picnic table to solve the final cache location. Be sure to
find the cache before starting back - it is nearby!
You can continue the hike by following the road down the east side of the loop
and score a few more cache finds, starting with
OCT CL07 Bag the Swag in the Snag and Brag.
Including this puzzle cache, there are 12 caches along the Clatsop Loop Trail.
Due to switchbacks in the trails, the cache your GPS receiver tells you is the
next closest may not always be the next along the trail. Therefore, be sure to
navigate to the caches in the order of the numbers in the
cache titles.
Due to heavy tree cover and narrow valleys, GPS reception is
very limited. Please use the hints which should greatly help in locating the
caches. It also helps to approach each cache at a slow pace, allowing your
receiver to "settle down" and establish a good location.
Dogs are welcome (and often plentiful) along all the trails,
but must be leashed at all times - there have been several incidents of dogs
falling off the steep trail dropoffs.
The trail is often slippery and the wooden bridges are usually VERY slippery.
Use extra caution on the bridges!
Starting near the parking area, here are the photo sites to watch for and
questions to answer:
Question 1
According to the sign, which of these is the Clatsop Loop Trail NOT a part of:
The National Recreation Trail (A = 3)
The Northwest Heritage Trail (A = 5)
The Oregon Coast Trail (A = 6)
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (A = 4)
Question 2
Note: The site below is just off the main trail so keep a lookout!
Which of the
following photos was NOT taken from the above location?:
B = 2
B = 9
B = 4
B = 7
Question 3
Which of the
following photos WAS taken from the trail along the log shown above?:
C = 1
C = 5
C = 9
C = 3
Question 4
There are two sets
of fence posts near the above tree and a bit further along the trail to the
viewpoint.
Question: How
many TOTAL posts in the two sets? (Observe carefully!)
8 (D = 8)
18 (D = 5)
13 (D = 1)
11 (D = 3)
Question 5
Hint: The
above site is close to
OCT CL05 Shroomy, Shroomier, Shroomiest.
Question:
Which direction are you facing when you see this cool tree?
East (E = 0)
West (E = 8)
North (E = 3)
South (E = 5)
Question 6
Considering the area
around the cabins and campground, which statement is TRUE?
There are eight
posts supporting the picnic table roof (F = 0)
There is an old
metal fee-collection post near the sign board (F = 8)
There is a map of
the Oregon Coast Trail on the sign board (F = 6)
There is a large
metal fire grate in the center of the campground (F = 4)
----------------------------------
You should now have
answers for A through F. Have a seat at the convenient picnic table and
plug them in!
First verify your
solution: The total of A through F should be 30.
The cache is at:
N 45 56.ABC
W 123 59.DEF
Be sure to visit the
cache site before heading out!
Enjoy the
spectacular hiking!