Shades of the past. Virtual Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(virtual)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is a three virtual cache hike (4.7 mile round trip) located on the Pennsylvania Side of the Delaware Water Gap. Both members of Team Dakota & Cheyenne were born just a short distance from here. We have found lots of great places to hike in the Gap and decided to share this one with you. To confirm the success of your hike, you will need to e-mail us the descriptions of the three virtual caches.
IMPORTANT: Please pay special attention to our THREE updates listed on 8/6/16 within the text below. The last two Cachers did not and expressed disappointment/concern. It is also important to note that when this cache was created, there were no designated hiking trails (no bridges, no signs, no paths, etc)... just a series of land formations to follow (which is the true spirit of this Hike). With the onset of social media, there is now a hoard of folks who know about and go to the swimming hole for which the path/bridge was built and why there are now warning signs.
One third of this hike is along the beautiful Adams Creek, another third takes place through the overgrown pastures of the old Marie Zimmermann estate and the final third takes you through a series of Pine and Mixed Hardwood forests. The total distance “as the crow flies” is 3.7 miles. We estimate the actual walking distance to be more like 4.7 miles. Given the difficulty of the first third of the hike, coupled with the amount of scenery you will see, you should plan on spending four hours in completing the hike.
You begin your hike by parking at N41 14.468 W074 51.909 (The parking area is tucked away along the side of route 209 just north of where 209 crosses 739 in the Delaware National Forest) These are the coordinates to the new Parking Area!
You can get to the creek from the parking area by walking into the opening in the woods and taking the small trail to your left. You have a choice on how to tackle the stream hike.
You can take a very defined path located on the other side of the bridge (N41 14.328 W074 51.964). This path will take you high above the stream which will limit your view of the natural beauty.
Or you can just follow along side the stream crossing when required (or just hike up the center of the stream like we do)
You will be hiking UP Stream for about 1.3 miles. Along the way you will see several waterfalls, ravines, springs, old man made structures and a vista or two. There will be times when you will need to cross to the other side via a fallen tree (or bring your water shoes).
At N41 15.057 W074 52.687 you will come across a swimming hole at the base of a waterfall. The “trail” heads up to the right of the water fall.
UPDATE: 8/6/16, The park has indicated that the "path" to the right of the waterfall/swimming hole is now off limits (which was a rock climb). Solution: If you are looking at the waterfall, there is a small stream/ravine coming in from the right. We now bushwhack about a quarter of mile up the ravine until we find a place we can scale up the hill . Once we reach the top of the hill, we head to the next waypoint.
At N41 15.145 W074 52.720 there is a great vista and a perfect spot for lunch.
You are now very close to the first virtual cache! Go to N41 15.130 W074 52.815 and describe this beautiful scene.
Continue hiking along the creek until you come across a Structure located at N41 15.143 W074 52.954. To complete the second virtual cache, tell us what kind of structure this is.
Just past the structure, you have the option to continue along the stream or to turn right and head up the Clearly defined trail. Take the trail to the right!
At N41 15.313 W074 52.940 the trial Ys; you should bear to the right. You are now heading into old grazing pastures. You will notice lots of old stone walls, and if you explore enough, you may find some stone foundations.
At N41 15.663 W074 52.305 the trial runs into a bridal path. Turn right.
Now it is time for the third virtual cache. Go to N41 15.602 W074 52.220 and describe what you see.
Continue along the bridle path until you come to the T at N41 15.254 W074 51.948. Make a right at the T and you leave the old grazing pastures behind and head into a series of Pine and Hardwood forests. This new path will eventually parallel the Adams Creek Gorge that you hiked through earlier.
UPDATE: 8/6/16. This path has a lot of deadwood on it with a huge deadwood just before you return to the path you started this adventure on. I advise that you have the coordinates to the parking lot in hand just in case you get off trail.
Words of Caution:
1. There are no trail markers anywhere on the hike. UPDATE 8/16/16: There are markers on the first 1/3 hike.
2. The Structure is in a state of restoration. Please respect it’s beauty from afar.
One Final Note:
Special thanks to SQL_Geek for providing a Strava view of his Hike:
(visit link)
Keep in mind this was done when you could scale the waterfall.
Have Fun!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures