Of Bluffs & Bridges Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A fun scenic hike in Mark Twain National Forest with a pedestrian bridge and scenic bluffs. It's one of our favorite places in Mid Missouri.
Before we get into the details, I want to stress that the cache IS NOT ON THE BLUFF FACE! Yes, you'll be high up, but to search and find this cache you'll never need to get within ten feet of any bluff face or extreme drop off. If you don't like heights, then stay away from the edge. Just remember, no matter what your GPS says, the cache is NOT on the bluff face. (It is on the top of the bluff--not the bottom)
To make it a half mile hike (one way), use the coordinates N38 49.077 W92 08.640 to get you to Rutherford Bridge, or just follow the road that goes by Columbia Regional Airport all the way east to an abandoned one lane bridge over Cedar Creek, which the boys scouts converted into a foot bridge. By car, approach the bridge from the west and you'll be able to park within 100 feet of the bridge. (some cachers made it to the cache from the north, but you won't see the bridge that way) Once across the bridge, stay on the abandoned roadbed since adjacent lands are private property. Btw, the roadbed is made of red clay and is no fun after a rainstorm. It stays pretty muddy for a few days after a rain. Up the road bed/trail you'll pretty quickly see trail markers and a trailhead station.
The cache is very close to the bluff top trail, but like I said, it's NOT on the bluff face--or within ten feet of any bluff face or extreme fall-off. No need to risk life or limb. The cache is a quart sized red container. Please re-hide it better than you found it. If you're really in for some fun there's an established campsite (yet primitive) in the same area that would be fun for overnight trips (as long as you don't sleepwalk!).
The bridge and bluffs are both precarious positions for toddlers and pre-schoolers, and the trail is a little bit rocky in places, so I wouldn't recommend bringing kids under 5.
Many thanks for the staff at Mark Twain National Forest for giving permission to place this cache!
BONUS CACHE (Added May, 2005!): If you're really in for a gutsy challenge, and a scary drive, you'll find a nearby bridge similar to the Rutherford bridge at these coordinates: N 38 48.130 W 092 08.995 You can drive to it, but it's impassable to auto or foot traffic. Get a photo of yourself or your GPS with the second bridge in the background and I'll allow you to log a second find. All you have to do is take 'Backbone Road' to the bridge. Backbone Road connects to the road that gets you to Rutherford bridge. However--I WILL WARN YOU!!! Backbone Road is a public road and is fine until you get to the 'backbone'. It's called 'Devil's backbone' in these parts with the primitive road perched between two cliff faces and no railing to stop your fall. This is not your gramma's Sunday drive. Don't attempt it in rain--especially not in snow or ice. Look at the topo maps. You'll see what I mean. I've driven it once and I don't care to go back. If you make it down the backbone, you'll find the second bridge and a private driveway. Get a shot at the bridge and drive back up the backbone.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Qba'g fvax gbb sne va gur ubyr.