This is a 5-part easy too-moderate multi-cache. The entire loop
can be walked for big circular loop of a mile or so. This enables
you explore the most scenic area close up and get back "in there."
The stages can be driven too as well. This may take you 45 minutes
or more, but take your time. There are plenty of hints in the
description WITH REQUIRED OFFSET HINT DESCRIPTIONS in some stages.
The final cache is a small plastic army Decon box with a snap on
lid. Enough room for buttons, golf pencils, coins, and smaller
trinkets. A FTF button is included. The cache will be restocked
often with batteries and useful goodies.
The stage descriptions below - start off with the neccesary
information to find that stage - followed by 'Optional' background
and history information about the area. You do not need this
information to find the next stages, but enjoy the histroy, and
some of the text may help you understand the next stages.
I recommend the walking route as it takes you along the old
railroad tracks and across the Mullica river bridge tressel to
stage four, five and finally back to the Atsion ranger station.
Stage 1:
This is the most famous (geocaching) structure of the modern day
atsion area. The coordinates to the next location are on a small
strip of paper - YOU MUST READ BOTH SIDES OF THE PAPERS AT EACH
STAGE. A slight reach is required, just don't fall in. Everything
is recycled here, including the location. You decide how long you
wish to stay.
Jump to the description for Stage 2. Or, read the optional history
description below.
OPTIONAL AREA HISTORY:
As you enter this general area, you'll note the Atsion Ranger
Station. This building has been around since before the old
railroad era days of the pines (1827). It was originally the Old
Atsion Store and was there when Route 206 was as sand road. See the
pictures attached of 1916 and 1945. "They have a guide "A Journey
Through Atsion." Behind the Atsion Ranger station was a small shed,
called the Ice House (barely a trace of this structure left). In
the winter there was a ICE packing house across the road where the
Atsion recreation area and swimming beach is today. They would cut
out large blocks of ice from the frozen lake and store it, then
send it out of rail lines. They would store ice for local sale, in
the ice house behind the Atsion store. Note from the pictures
attached the slight modifications to the store and the old cars. In
1916 Rt 206 was a sand road. Now its a very busy throughway through
the pines. Looking out from the first stage is the site of the old
Etheridge House. It was one of the original old railroad era
houses. Unfortunately burned down in 1976. See the attached picture
and look at the construction style.
Stage 2:
Close by - walk. The coordinates are in a small camo'ed hanging
pill container just above eye level. (this hint free. small cedar
tree) It is definitely not inside. Record the coordinates for Stage
3 and read the new hint as stage 3 was slightly moved.
Jump to the description for Stage 3. Or, read the optional history
description below.
OPTIONAL AREA HISTORY:
This concrete structure was an old animal watering trough. It stood
where it is now, outside this main structure - the Ole Atsion Barn.
It is hard to imagine what it looked like from what it is now. I
often look in there and close my eyes and imagine the horses in the
stalls and straw all over the floor.See the attached picture. The
walls are crumpling and sharp rusty equipment inside is dangerous,
so I recommend you just look in - don't go in. Interesting why
there are old row boats in an old barn.
Stage 3:
This stage is directly where the coordinates state. Just look
behind this big thing - eye level. The coordinates bring you by the
road and you can view this historic structure from the road - do
not trespass. Open the container "In PLace." RECORD OR REMEMBER THE
HINT FOR STAGE 4.
Jump to the description for Stage 4. Or, read the optional history
description below.
OPTIONAL HISTORY:
From Stage 3, I recommend you walk, even if you wish to take the
car afterwards. As you proceed down Quaker Bridge road (the sand
road) 100yards, you will see the Batist Church on the left, marked
with an historic sign. It's ok to take a look around and walk in
the back by the cemetary. Try to find grave stones that preceed the
1800's. Opposite the church is the Stag Gun Club. Look closely at
these buildings from the sand road as there is no tresspassing here
- a small spot of private land within Wharton Forest. In your mind,
remove the cinder block structure in front of the house and note
the shape of the building and of those in the back through the
trees. Same style as that of the Old Etheridge House picture
attached? - I hear there are some original Piney's living in the
house in the back. Now, continue on down Quaker Bridge road a short
bit to the next stage.
The Old Red School house - "No Tresspassing." This structure, known
as the old red school house, was actually closed as a school in
1922, but used last as a private residence. It was even rebuilt in
1916. Notice from the attached picture, the door opening was moved.
Seems they are now trying to work on the roof, but there are
probably funding issues as it has been tarped now for over a
year.
Walking Suggestions:
If you wish to continue this adventure on foot (recommended), after
taking the stage information, continue walking down Quaker Bridge
road past the school house. Make a right at the railroad tracks and
follow it down and across the tressel crossing the Mullica River.
Continue on 1/8 of a mile to the next interection at turn right,
going back up towards Rt 206 to Stage 4. As you leave the railroad
tracks just imagine the small train station and the old Atsion
Hotel located just up the tracks aways. I've heard, the old RR
station was removed intact and sits on private property. As you get
closer to Rt 206 and come to an open clearing on the left, just
image row type houses. Whats left of one of the last structures
just collapsed off to the left. Now also, image the entire area
completely open with little to no trees at all. One big area where
you could see the RR tracks, houses, atsion store and cotton
mill/packing house. Note that they used every bit of spare wood to
fire the furnaces and for home firewood. Most areas would have
little to no tall standing trees left. Continue up to Stage 4.
Stage 4:
Same container, and you should be an expert by now. Do not remove
this one, just open in place to get the coordinates for Stage 5.
YOU MUST READ THE HINT TO FIND THE FINAL CACHE AS IT IS AN OFFSET.
This one is about 4-5 feet off the ground so easier to reach. The
hint to this is the type of tree. What would you hang on this tree
and where? Since the area slightly secluded, the container is
hanging more in the open.
Jump to the description for Stage 5. Or, read the optional history
description below.
OPTIONAL HISTORY:
Look at the attached picture of this small log sided house - one of
Atsion oldest buildings dating to the iron era. In the attached
photo, there are few trees around but the same sycamore that exists
today in the same spot. Looking at the photo again, you can see all
the way down the path to the Cotton mill building and chimney.
Today you can hardly see it through the trees.
Stage 5 - Final Cache:
The signal may get weaker as you enter the tree line. Not to worry
because as you get close to this LARGE THING and final coordinates,
it is more then obvious this is the spot, and the 'thing.' For
security from muggles, the final cache is offset of XX heel-to-toe
paces NNE (60deg) from this big item, as indicated in the HINT from
stage 4. The cache is easy to spot from the other side of a large
tree on the edge of the swamp, but hidden from normal view. The
cache is snapped on firmly and you will need to reach high to
obtain it. Please close firmly and snap firmly back onto its
holder.
OPTIONAL HISTORY:
This area is rich in history. There are several large balls of slag
from the old pines furnaces of 100 years ago. One 4 foot around!
Most slag is like small stones on the ground, but this will
certainly shock you. The cotton mill is all but gone now but you
can identify the chimmney clearly in the photos. This building was
four stories high. As business effort came and went quickly in the
pines, this building was also a cranberry and blueberry packing
house. Directly across the sand road from the chimmney, if you look
carefully, you can see the small foundation of the old blacksmith
building. And of course this is a very popular put-in spot for the
Mullica river paddlers.
If you choose to walk this trip, walk back towards the highway.
Make a right and head back to the Atsion Ranger station. As you
cross the bridge and concrete bridge edge, look on the northern
side of the river and look for foundation stones of the old Mill.
This mill was large enough to be seen from the far side of the lake
and was a hugh building, with three stories above the highway. Now
all gone.