Cedar Fire Rest Stop Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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| You'll want to bring sufficient water along on this hike. |
| NOTE: Please remember the position of the cache and return it as close as possible. Oh, and be discrete... |
[Updated 2/12/2004] This cache's alternate name is Ironwood Loop. That's what it would have been called if not for the fire which swept through this part (and more) of Scripps Ranch from 10/26/2003 - 10/28/2003.
This fire, known as the Cedar Fire, is now being called the worst fire in California history. As of today, 11/3/2003, I believe it has been declared 100% contained. [Actually, it was 100% contained only in the city. The winds shifted and the fire continued its march to and beyond Julian and the other small towns nearby. A few towns out there were razed by the fire after it was contained in San Diego.]
It has already burned about 300,000 acres and over 2,200 homes. The smell of burnt things - trees, foliage, homes, cars - lingers here; it still tickles your nostrils and stings your throat. You worry you shouldn't be out in the stench fearful of the damage it may do to your lungs.
At the starting coordinates, you will find yourself near a city sign just off the street. You can park a vehicle here, if you want. The sign warns dog owners they must clean up after their dogs. The next waypoint can be calculated using the numbers on that sign. |
AB.CDE = the city ordinance making it a misdemeanor for owners to allow their dogs to defecate on public property
F = A + B + E
G = B + C |
N 32° 54.3DF
W 117° 05.42G |
You can either bike or walk this route. It is not TOOO far to walk, just a mile or so. Be careful en route to this waypoint as you will need to cross a semi-busy street. The areas through here were untouched by the fire but probably experienced a lot of smoke as we did.
At this waypoint stands a telephone company box just off the trailhead to the left. On it is a five-digit number prefixed with the letter F and happens to be the house address here as well. Use this number when figuring the next waypoint. |
ABCDE = the five-digit number on telephone box
F = A + E
G = B + D |
N 32° 54.3BF
W 117° 05.8AG |
Along this section of trail, you'll find a swing hanging from a eucalyptus branch about 25 or 30 feet up. Might be a nice diversion, if you'd care to try.
At this waypoint, you'll find two rather large objects each having a green number and a black number. Considering just the digits for a moment, the black digits on one of the objects makes a palindrome, a number that reads the same backwards and forwards. Use the green number on the object with the black palindrome to get the next waypoint. |
ABCDEF = the six digits after the "P" of the green number on the object with the black palindrome
G-B-C
H=D-F
I=B+F
J=D-C |
N 32° 54.GHC
W 117° 05.IAJ |
Ready yourself for a very steep climb heading out for the next waypoint. You can lessen the steepness by returning along the trail a bit then doubling back and up the fork you'll soon come across. Once again, you'll want to be careful on your way to the next waypoint as you will need to cross two streets this time.
At the upcoming waypoint, find the odd shaped bolt and look underneath it to find the coords to the final cache location.
NOTE: Even though your GPS points to the east, head south until you come to a trail heading east. Follow that trail to the cache. Do not go all the way to Pomerado Road -- find the trail that parallels Pomerado Road.
The cache, which is a decon container, is NOT located deep in the bushes here. Although it is not obvious, NO bushwhacking is involved. It sits just off the trail near the northerly-most picnic table. If you don't find it within 10 minutes or so, please refer to the hint.
After logging your find and carefully rehiding the cache, use your GPS to continue along the trail to the starting waypoint and your waiting car, if you parked there. This location shows some of the damage caused by the fire.
I used to bike along the trails through here; it's safer and more beautiful than riding the road. I don't truly mountain-bike; rather, I trail-ride. And though I anticipate the return of the beauty through here, it is still a bit too blackened to truly enjoy.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: You will find a cryptic note in each of these related caches. Record the "Original Cache Location" and "Offset" marked there and then refer to the cache A True Multi-Cache in Scripps Ranch for instructions on what to do with these cryptic notes and coordinates.
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Coords are approximate due to various mugglings and replacements of this cache. I recommend that you use the hint.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Unatvat ba frirerq oenapu bs fznyy fghzc -- ybbx ybj oruvaq naq gb gur evtug bs ynetr gerr nobhg 25' AR bs gur abegureyl-zbfg cvpavp gnoyr.