Finding Forbes Traditional Cache
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(regular)
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This is one of my favorite hiking/snowshoeing spots! It was formerly called Forbes Falls, and is a breathtaking area of hiking trails and waterfalls presently called Royalston Falls.
In 1838 Prof. Edward Hitchcock visited this waterfall, and christened it "The Royal Cascade". He wrote: “In the extreme north-west part of the town on the farm of Calvin Forbes, a gorge and cascade exist of still greater interest; one of the finest, indeed, in the state. The stream is not more than 10 feet wide at the spot, but it descends 45 feet at a single leap into a large basin, which from its top has been excavated by the erosion of the rocks; now retreating and now projecting: crowned at the summit with trees. Many of these lean over the gulf or have fallen across it; so that upon the whole, the scene is one of great wildness and interest. It certainly deserves a name; and until a better one shall be proposed, I would suggest that of ‘The Royal Cascade’; partly in reference to the name of the town in which it is situated,(Royalston), and partly in reference to its royal character.”
Apparently, this falls did not yet have a known name at the time of Prof. Hitchcock’s visit. By 1870, however, it had become known as “Forbes Falls”, no doubt due to it’s location on Calvin FORBES land. Royalston’s Vital Records report a Calvin FORBES was born, on 29 December 1783, in Royalston, to a James and Abigail FORBES.
Today the well maintained Metacomet-Monadnock and Tully Trails are joined along the East Branch of Falls Brook, as shown by yellow and white trail markers.
This cache may be approached from several different directions, but the recommended parking is in the lot at the Newton Cemetary/Trustees of the Reservation,
N42 42.968; W072 15.337.
A detailed map is posted nearby, and the well marked trails travel over the river and through the woods, past a newly constructed shelter, to a 45'plunge into a 70' granite gorge. There are many photo opportunities along this trek!From car to cache is just under one mile.
Stay on the trail, turning right after the bridge, following the yellow marked Tully Trail, until about 40' from the hide. At some points it will be slippery, rooty, and on the dangerous side. It may not be advisable for small children. A railing has been constructed for your own safety. When you reach the support bar on the railing, turn 180 degrees'. The cache is a regular sized ammo box, filled with hikers trinkets. Please hide it as well as you can.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pyvzo gur uvyy, cnfg gur tevyy, ybt va sbe n guevyy.