The cache is hidden just off the towpath.
This section of the Trent and Mersey was excavated in 1772, that
is 234 years ago and is still in regular use!
It is impressive in that, like at Anderton, it is cut into the
steep side of the valley above the river weaver, which can be seen
'weaving' its way towards Acton Bridge swing bridge
The pipe bridge you pass under on the way is the Brine pipeline
to the Chemical works at Weston Point, Runcorn
Note the white bridge, painted originally to highlight its
presence to boatmen travelling along this long pound at night.
Before the advent of electric light, boats were steered with no
lights or at best a candle or small oil lamp.
The access ramp to the accommodation bridge has been ploughed
away and the bridge is now inaccessible for use by the farmer
(though wouldn't have taken the weight of modern farm machinery
anyway)
The Pound of this stretch of canal extends from Dutton stoplock
3.5 miles away towards Runcorn to Middlewich big lock in the centre
of middlewich 11 miles in the other direction, so was quite a feat
of surveying and engineering to maintain the correct level over
such a distance and through 2 tunnels at Barnton and Saltersford
(seeWeaving
through Barnton cache)
When the canal was excavated it cut across some valleys that
carried stream rising in the higher ground to the north, some of
them it bridged using embankments and culverts/aqueducts but by the
cache site the stream was blocked and Little Leigh Pond was formed
flooding the small valley behind and the stream now feeds the
canal.
Along this section, I have regularly sighted kingfishers and
Herons, 2 pairs of Buzzards can usually be seen circling above and
at least 1 pair nests in the woodland around the valley side, plus
at time of placing saw 2 sets of mallard and ducklings, 17
ducklings in all.
If you want you can collect
'Weaving through Saltersford cache'continue onwards along the
towpath and over Saltersford tunnel via the towing path and into
Saltersford pool (another flooded valley), down onto the River
Weaver and collect the cache, to return to your car, continue along
the banks of the Weaver back to Acton Bridge and up the lane to the
parking to complete a circuit of 3.5 miles and 2 caches.
Please note there is no public right of way between the 2 caches
other than above, no paths exist between the canal and river except
at Saltersford pool