San Marcos Open Space #1b is brother to SM Open Space #1, so you can bag two caches in one hunt if you want. It takes a bit of a hike on a mix of maintained trail (if you go in the route I recommend), an overgrown twin-track road, and bushwacking.
San Marcos Open Space #1b is in a series of “open space” caches placed around town. It is on several hundred acres of undeveloped, city-owned property (despite the barbed-wire fences that still stand in some locations on the property). It sits near the boundaries of the Willow Creek and Wonder World Greenspaces.
Access
Public parking and legal entry are available through Prospect Park that runs adjacent to the Wonder World Greenspace on which this cache is stashed. Prospect Park is just off of, wouldn’t you know, Prospect Street—a dead end city street. There is an old barbed-wire fence between Prospect Park and the Wonder World Greenspace (as of 11-2004) that has been cut for access.
As you come upon the flood control dam, please be sure to stay off, just as the signs read. We don’t want to attract negative attention and have access cut off! Besides, if you’re near the dam, you’re lost.
Want a general map?
http://www.ci.san-marcos.tx.us/departments/parks/Docs/City_Parks_Map_(April_2002).pdf
Miscellaneous
This cache is perched on a bluff above Purgatory Creek—dry in the summer, wet (possibly) in the winter. The tree canopy is heavy, so as you close in, look for the freaky oak tree.
Notes: The grass gets really tall in the open areas upon approach to this area in late summer.
Open Space #1b is an island of park within a residential areas. Access from anywhere but Prospect Park means you’re cutting through someone’s back yard. Please don’t take the most direct route and trespass.