The cache is a large plastic container on a really cool old bridge
that was part of the old highway 99 before the road was abandoned
and a new bridge was built just a quarter mile away.
You can NO LONGER drive right up to the cache (which is a crying
shame). Getting your car to the parking spot about .34 miles away
is pretty easy now because someone has blocked off part of the road
(the 4WD part) with boulders and then later highway crash walls,
which is where wheelchairs and strollers will be unable to pass. In
rainy/wet weather, you might have to deal with some mud. The walk
is an easy slight downhill to the cache and a slight uphill back to
the car. It can be a hot walk in the hot summer times, but not very
stressful. The 2 Terrain rating is partly just because you have to
climb over/around the crash wall.
Getting to the bridge: Take the Volmers Delta exit. If going
Northbound, turn right at the end of the off ramp. If going
Southbound, go under the freeway. In neither case go down the hill
to the river. You should be at approx. N 40 56.545 W 122 25.730.
You will be at a "Not a Through Street" sign and another sign that
says "No river access". You can ignore the large "Private Road"
signs as it really is a public road to the old bridge. Just don't
leave the road and enter anyone's private property. Of course,
Geocachers already know this, so you should be fine.
Follow the dirt road to the left, which is what used to be old
Highway 99. Stay on the dirt road and don't drive into anyone's
private property. The road narrows a bit and has a chain link fence
on the right. Follow the GPSr to the parking area at the boulder
blockade. There is room to turn around any vehicle smaller than an
RV.
We only discovered this wonderful place after doing MtnMike's
nearby
Master Builder cache. We're dismayed to see that it was missing
and would probably be archived (however now we see it's still
active!!). We wanted to link from this cache to Master Builder so
you could read the great info he had about this bridge. Since that
cache seemed to be on its way to cache heaven, we copied his great
historical text for posterity:
"History Happened Here: 1927 'Master Builder'
This bridge was built by Harlan D. Miller, the one-time chief of
the California Bridge Department. Miller had great influence on its
design, therefore, it is viewed as the work of a master. This
beautiful feature was built in an era when structures were designed
for beauty as well as for use. It is said to be one of the most
artistic and spectacular structures ever built in California, and
when built, had one of the longest arch spans built by the state up
to that time. Benches were constructed into the top bed as a place
for weary travelers to rest, complete with decorative blue inlaid
tile. Scenery from the top is absolutely breathtaking. Sit awhile
in the built in benches and luxuriate in the
surroundings."
Thanks, MtnMike, for providing great information on this
landmark!