Apple Orchard Mountain Geocache Traditional Cache
Apple Orchard Mountain Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache is one of many located along the Appalachian Trail in the area maintained by the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (check out www.nbatc.org for a list of club activities). THE NBATC DOES NOT SANCTION OR PROVIDE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS GEOCACHE!
Apple Orchard Mountain is the one with the radar dome on top of it that can be seen for miles around. Park at Sunset Field Overlook - milepost 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Walk down the gravel road to the right of the overlook (not up the one that parallels the Parkway). When you reach the point where the AT crosses, walk up the steps to the right and ascend Apple Orchard Mountain. After about 1 ¼ miles, the AT makes a 90 degree turn to the left – straight ahead is a large flat rock (Table Rock) which is near the cache site. If you need more info, check out the hint. After finding the cache, consider continuing on the AT since you are only a fourth of a mile from the summit which is a large grassy field with nice views. Please don’t trespass on the radar dome since it is federal property. There was an air force base here at one time but the dome is now under FAA authority for air traffic control and mostly automated. Now if you STILL have some energy left, continue on the trail another one fourth mile to an area called The Guillotine. You can check out the attached pics, but believe me, you will know it when you see it! I really wanted to put the cache here but it is in the wilderness area and is not allowed.
From here, you can of course backtrack, but if you have someone in a vehicle that can pick you up, you can continue another one fourth mile where the AT crosses the Parkway. Your driver might not be able to spot the crossing but you can wave them down if they keep driving up and down the road. Check out the sign board at MP 76.5 which explains how the mountain got its name.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghea yrsg ng Gnoyr Ebpx, cnfg taneyrq bnx, orgjrra gjb ebpxf naq pbirerq jvgu ebpxf jvgu yrnirf ba gbc
Treasures
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