The posted coordinates for this cache provide a view for railroad, history, river, and bridge enthusiasts and requires a 2.5 to 3 mile hike on the “rail trail” trace of an abandoned trolley line.
This cache has been renamed to become part of the Main Line Canal GeoTrail, a chance to experience the Pittsburgh-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway through geocaching. The Greenway is a linked network of land and water trails, tracing the path of the historic Main Line Canal. These caches may be found in an outdoor recreation destination, a key heritage location or an environmental educational site- all ways the Greenway is making new connections between old neighbors. You must find at least 4 geocaches in each of the Main Line Canal Greenway Clusters and record the codes found at each cache in the Logbook. Once you have completed the MLCG Logbook you can receive a MLCG trackable geocoin. Remember CITO can be practiced all year long and Leave No Trace. For more information and where to turn in your Logbook (visit link).
The site of the posted coordinates overlooks a stone arch viaduct carrying the Norfolk Southern mainline across the downstream leg of an oxbow of the Little Conemaugh River. Both legs of the river’s oxbow are visible from the overlook, but the river disappears behind the ridge separating the two. The original viaduct, constructed on the same site about 1832 for the Allegheny Portage Railroad, temporarily held back the waters from the collapse of the South Fork Dam during the Johnstown Flood of 1889, until it too collapsed. The overlook provides an elevated view of eastbound trains as they approach and cross the new viaduct. A straight-on view of the viaduct is available at N40 22.225 W78 49.081, originally courtesy of Life Magazine who originally cleared the view for a documentary of the Flood’s 100th anniversary.
The trail to the site follows the former Southern Cambria Railway trolley line that ran from South Fork to Mineral Point. The railbed has been developed as the “Path Of The Flood Trail.” The trail is steeper than a traditional “rail-trail,” but is generally level compared to the surrounding terrain.
Official parking areas are located at the Ehrenfeld Borough Park and the National Park Service’s Staplebend Tunnel trailhead where restrooms are available. The latter is also the parking for our Staplebend Tunnel Cache - http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=96506. The “Path of the Flood” follows a signed “share the road” route to the posted trailhead “rail trail” locations. There is room at the edge of the road to park (before the no vehicles signs) at the Fifficktown trailhead and at the community playground near the Mineral Point trailhead.
The final cache is located at N40 22.1 7 3 W78 48.3 1 7
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N40 22._ _ _ W78 48._ _ _
Temporary cheat due to Ricky's demise. Final is at N 40° 22.268' W 78° 48.522'. You could go right there, but you'll miss the whole point of this cache.
You will need to get clues at the posted coordinates from some of the locals who hang together - Ricky (CD) and Amanda (GHIJ) to find the final cache. This will require a small amount of rock climbing, but no special equipment is needed. This cache location can be more hazardous and the clues providers may not be accessible during periods of snow cover. The final is no longer within 528' of another cache with the archival of that misapproved placement.
When we cache we like to see unique or historical things. Our main goal is to get you to the overlook. Sometimes caching is about more than finding the box!!
DO NOT cross the railroad tracks to the center of the meander for the cache or for any other reason. Westbound rail traffic is approaching downhill on a blind curve. The rocky hillsides surrounding this overlook are also known for poisonous snakes. Bear and coyote are also known to inhabit the meander and the valley. The final cache is ~150’ off of the trail. Nothing special about the final location. It is just a location of convenience closest to the point of interest and beyond the view of muggles.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.