This cache hunt is a two-stage multi in the vicinity of Layton,
Pennsylvania. Layton is a village on the Youghiogheny River less
than two miles from historic Perryopolis.
The George Washington owned property in this area which was
deeded to him in 1769. He visited the area in 1770 and had a
gristmill constructed on Washington Run which is the creek that
runs just below and behind the area where this cache hunt begins.
If you are interested in historical stuff, be sure to visit the
reconstructed mill, distillery, bakery, fulling mill, and
blockhouse in George Washington's Gristmill Park located along the
road between Perry and Layton. The principal industry of Layton was
the manufacture of bricks. The remains of numerous brick-making
kilns can still be seen in various sites around Layton. The first
cache will be found at a source for the raw material which was used
to make the bricks.
The first cache is a micro which contains coordinates to the
final cache. It is a film canister hidden inside a small piece of
plastic pipe. It is very well-defended by steep and treacherous
terrain but you will find that there is a fairly easy and safe way
to get to where you need to be if you will take the time to look
for it. (Hint: the jeep road which goes up and over the west portal
of the tunnel is a good place to begin.) The coordinates will put
you right on top of the cache where you can either dig down about
twenty feet to get to it or figure out a way down, around,
and in to the hiding place. You will need either a pick and shovel
or a good flashlight to be successful here.
The second and final stage is a regular cache that will be found
along a remote section of the Youghiogheny River Trail.
This part of the cache hunt is bicycle friendly and will take you
to a great spot for a picnic. There are likewise options for
getting to the second cache. The straight-line distance is just a
tad over one mile but this route would take you straight up and
over Kilndigging Hill. The terrain and undergrowth is impossible,
and the area is further protected by “No Trespassing” signs, but
you just might make it if you can scale the cliffs and outrun
shotgun-toting locals through the thickets of pricker bushes. The
bike path is about twice the distance to get you to the same spot
but there is no hill, no underbrush, and no landowner-relations
issues. There is also a very viable third option which is to rent a
canoe or kayak from a rental place across the river in Layton and
make the run down the river from Dawson. It’s a pretty stretch of
river and it certainly wouldn’t be difficult to go ashore and pick
off the cache along the way. Another cache, The
Lost Village of Little Falls, is also located along this
section of the Yough.
Directions: The road from metropolis Perryopolis to Layton runs
on what used to be the Washington Run Railroad. There is a suicidal
single-lane tunnel and bridge combination on this road where it
crosses the Youghiogheny River. Turn right just BEFORE entering the
tunnel to get to a designated parking area for the Youghiogheny
River Trail at 40° 05.325', -79° 43.773'.
Warning: There IS a safe and sane way to get to and from stage
#1 without risking life and limb. PLEASE do take the time to scout
around for it. PLEASE watch your step! Looking at the GPS when you
should be watching where you are going could get you killed
here!
