The Nibelung appear in the folklore of a number of European countries. In Wagner’s Ring Cycle the Nibelung dwarf Alberich steals gold from the Rhine maidens and forges part of it into a ring. Using the power of the ring, he enslaves his brother Mime and the other Nibelung. However, he loses the ring and the gold to Wotan, ruler of the Gods, and places a curse on the ring. The result is tragic for everyone, including the Gods themselves.
It is not generally known that before the gold was returned to the Rhine maidens, Alberich forced Mime to hide a small part of the hoard near Chapel Hill. The hidden cache, although small, contains several items forged by the Nibelung in various parts of Europe.
The original contents were swept away in a flood. Other examples of Nibelung craftsmanship have been collected, which are still fine representations of their skill as metal smiths. The cache has been moved to a more secure location.
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Alberich forces Mime to hide
the cache near Chapel Hill
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There is parking at Park Place on weekends and evenings, and metered parking on Country Club Road. Otherwise, park at the Community Center on Estes Drive, for a hike of a mile and a half. Whichever way you come, it's easy going along Battle Creek trail, and there are other caches to seek along the way.
But take care: The hoard was acquired at one point by the giant Fafner, who turned himself into a dragon to protect it. At certain times of the year you may encounter Fafner along the trail, disguised as the serpent "Kupferkopf" (copper head).
Congratulations to Max1304, latter day Siegfried, first to find the hoard.