A Perfect Hillbilly Hideout--Prairie Hollow Canyon Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

thehairyhillbilly: I'm archiving this one. Thanks to those who visited.

More
Hidden : 1/18/2004
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This short shut-in canyon is one of the prettiest spots in Missouri.

9/30/04 NOTE: The rocks in the cavelet described below may have fallen over...however, you can still enjoy this cache with a little planning before the trip. You can even head straight to the cache and never see Prairie Hollow...ifin' you are so inclined. I've provided a checksum which limits your possibilities for "X" and "Y." Five minutes at TopoZone.com will quickly reveal the relevance of my clue...and the location of the cache. Enjoy this challenge. It can be easily completed...at your computer...and now you can claim the cache without crossing that sheer canyon!!!

Prairie Hollow Canyon is a Missouri gem, rarely visited even though the overlook is an easy walk. Seeing the canyon up close and personal is another manner entirely, but it is very much worth the effort.

BE WARNED: Entering the canyon is not easy. You must be careful. As I stated on my Surprise (Turner Mill) cache, I want you to visit these beautiful places, but finding a cache is never worth risking your life.

To reach the parking area, you'll need to travel north toward Two Rivers on Highway V from Highway 106, east of Eminence. Parking coordinates are N 37 10.962, W 91 16.201. From here you can follow the trail east and south to the great overlook, which is here: N 37 10.880, W 91 15.986. It is not a long walk.

Here is where the fun begins. Head upstream or downstream from the overlook on top of the ridge until you find a suitable place to venture down into the canyon. I traveled south, or upstream. You may find it easier to enjoy the overlook and then drive down to Two Rivers and approach from up the creek. Plan on spending a lot of time boulder jumping in this very scenic valley. However, traveling the length of the stream is difficult. The canyon walls are tight, waterfalls are common, and the rocks may be very slick. You'll need to plan on scrambling up and down the hillside, which, of course, is part of the fun.

This area is Ozark National Scenic Riverways and run by the National Park Service. No physical caches are allowed. On the east side you will find a very small cave, which are the original cache coordinates. On the right hand side of this small cave, you'll find two stacks of rocks on a ledge. The rocks are the key to finding the actual cache container. Count the rocks and enter them here:

N 37 10.X87
W 91 15.Y07

One stack has more rocks than the other. The stack with the most rocks represents X. The stack with the fewer rocks is Y. Checksum = 7.

Enjoy Prairie Hollow Canyon. Don't hurry to find the actual cache. The hollow is the prize. If you don't believe me, check out these pictures. The first is from the overlook. The second is deep inside the canyon.
(visit link) (visit link)

Because the cache is difficult, I've rewarded you with a couple of nice prizes at the end. You'll find a 35 mm camera and a watch. They aren't fancy. They are perfect for a gift for your younger children to enjoy. However, I think the cache adventure will be too much for most children. Save the camera or watch as a surprise for when you get home.

Be careful, and you'll be richly rewarded.

The hint really is a hint even though it won't seem like it.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Lbh byq pbbg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...