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Inter-Urban Railway Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Melrose Plant: This one hasn't been found in over two years, and it's flooded significantly back in there twice since then. I haven't time or desire to go and check on this until fall, and we all know that's not going to happen. If somebody actually finds this, let me know, just out of curiosity.

Melrose Plant

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Hidden : 2/17/2004
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

1/23/2005. Coordinates have changed! Please read everything carefully!

This cache is located close to the grade of the old Inter-Urban Railway. From 1905 until 1949 (according to the sign), electric trolleys ran from downtown Des Moines to Urbandale. This historic railway has been converted to a bike path, and includes a bridge which spans the Des Moines River.

Now that nearly a year has gone by, I have taken out most of my old cache description. The bridge is still spectacular, so walk that way if you can. Most of my former description no longer makes much sense now that it is not current, and especially since "Beaverdale Two" unfortunately had to be archived.

New container is an ammo can, and it is located about 80 feet away from the old coordinates (it wouldn't fit in the old hiding spot). If you have already found this cache before today (1/23/2005), and you care to come all the way out here again, you are welcome to log your second visit as another find.

Some possible parking spots are the Hy-Vee parking lot on MLK Pkwy., N41° 37.517’, W093° 39.077’, the Target parking lot on Euclid Ave., N41° 37.684' W93° 38.806', or any number of other places, since this bike path runs from downtown Des Moines clear up to Saylorville.

From Hy-Vee, this hike is about 9/10ths of a mile. The cache lies about .12 mile off the path by the most direct route. However, you probably won’t be traveling in a straight line once you’re off the path. In the summertime, it’s going to be pretty thick in there. Because of this, plus the sheer length of the bushwhacking, I’m giving this a 3 star rating on terrain. In the winter, I’d give it a 2 or 2 ½. It is not hilly at all.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)