GCM1H2 NOMAMBO TRAIL TRIPLE CROWN (Multi-cache) in Louisiana, United States created by Big Doggy

This cache has been archived.

Big Doggy: Have to let this one go. Thanks to all who visited. And hopefully someone else will come along and highlight this terrific mountain biking trail.

GCM1H2 ▼

A cache by Big Doggy Message this owner

Hidden : 11/10/2004

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

THE NOMAMBO TRAIL TRIPLE CROWN, formerly known as NOMAMBO Spillway Cycle Trek, now offers 3 times the challenge, 3 times the fun, and 3 times the credit. There are 3 ways to do it and you can claim credit for any or all of them, but only once for each method. I have set up the waypoints so that you can approach it by bicycle, by foot, or you can bring the boat of your choice and hydro cache it beginning at the boat launch, which is located near the trailhead. Whichever method you use, you should be aware that the stages will require you to go all the way to the far end of the trail loop. Round trip is exactly 5.5 miles and takes about an hour by bicycle. For anybody who completes all 3 methods, you will earn the prestigious Triple Crown title and listing in the Hall of Fame. (You get double credit for completing 2 methods, but there is no Double Crown)

NOMAMBO (New Orleans Metro Area Mountain Biking Organization), in conjunction with the Army Corp of Engineers, created this mountain bike trail, which runs parallel to, and at times perilously close to, the eastern of two spillway canals. The canals themselves, about a mile apart, run parallel to each other and extend much of the way from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain as part of the Bonnet Carre' Spillway. After seeing the devastation left by that nasty hurricane on 08/29/05, some of us were wondering if there would ever be a trail again, but through the Herculean efforts of NOMAMBO, the trail appears to be, in many ways, better than before. For more info regarding the NOMAMBO, the trail, and race dates (limited access), follow this link: (visit link)

THE SPILLWAY itself was completed in 1929 as a reaction to the 1927 flood disaster and 3 other major floods in the preceding 80-year period. This natural flood plane called the Bonnet Carre' Crevasse is located just up river from the periodically threatened New Orleans Communities. Its purpose is to reroute, through Lake Pontchartrain, some of the Mississippi’s excess water at times when its level becomes dangerously high. There are 350 20-foot bays, which are opened as needed, about once every 10 years, and can allow water to drain at a rate of 250,000 cubic feet per second.

THE TRAIL-While no motor vehicles are allowed on the trail itself, hikers and bikers are welcome. It runs in one continuous loop, which you need to proceed along in a clockwise direction. Mosquitoes, in warm weather, will welcome you enthusiastically if you stop moving for more than a minute, so you might consider repellant. Or do what I do and take 200 mg of vitamin B1 a few hours before going. Either way, it’s probably a good idea to bring along some water. There is a quality about this trail that makes you want to cycle faster than you probably should, so do yourself a favor and wear a helmet. Watch out for cypress knees, hairpin turns, switchback loops, and other various mountain biking obstacles.

Finally, I tried to keep the waypoints fairly simple. Only stage 2 is grabable. This is intended to be a no-frills, meat-&-potatoes, down-the-trail, textbook multi. Knowing the time and energy you will have invested in this quest, I didn’t want you to come away empty handed. It’s not supposed to be hard; it’s supposed to be fun. Good luck. By the way, its probably better if you move away from the stage 2 hide area while you make the log to conceal the place from bikers who can come up on you before you are aware.

Bring your fishing gear if you want to. Portable restroom facilities, and camping are near the boat launch and trailhead (permits are free). Follow this link for Spillway rules, permits, etc: (visit link)

HALL OF FAME:
11/12/07 CADE ROUX

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1. Guvatf ner ybbxvat hc 3. Rlr yriry

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)