Wanna Go to the Can at the Overlooks? Multi-Cache
Hidden : 7/29/2006
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


For decades, the beauty of the Cheat River gorge has been witnessed each summer day by hundreds of visitors to the overlook in Coopers Rock State Forest. However, what is much lesser known is that there are similarly spectacular views from the opposite side of the canyon in the Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. Thanks to wvcoalcat and wvhunter’s Cheat View Cache, many geocachers are now familiar with one of the best views of the canyon and the river below. And now this three-stage multi-cache will show you some of the other overlooks in the Snake Hill WMA. NOTE: If you'd like to find this cache and the Cheat View Cache while on the same hike, I'd recommend looking for this one first to eliminate some backtracking.

Stage one will take you to the only other named overlook in the WMA; Table Rock. While Table Rock is one of the largest rock outcroppings in the area, the view of the canyon is obscured much of the year by the surrounding trees. Nevertheless, the rock offers visitors a wonderful view in the winter and early spring months when the leaves are down. Stage two gives you a wonderful view similar to the Cheat View overlook while offering the best view of Raven Rock on the opposite side of the gorge. The final stage of the cache will lead you to what is commonly mistaken for Table Rock, as it is the only rock outcropping visible from Coopers Rock. From this unnamed overlook, you can see Coopers Rock and Haystack Rock (just below Coopers Rock), as well as Cheat Lake some four miles downriver to the northwest.

Overlook Panoramic


There are several parking locations giving access to the trails in the Snake Hill WMA with the recommended spot being the easternmost official WMA parking lot at N39° 36.611', W079° 49.746'. No matter which parking spot you choose, expect a minimum of a three mile roundtrip hike to complete this cache. All stages are within feet (or less) of a trail and very little bushwhacking is necessary.

The preliminary stages are small Lock & Lock containers holding cards indicating the coordinates of the next stage; please take one card per group. It is asked that you please note in your log if the stock of these cards is getting low (4 or 5) so they may be replenished. As the name of the cache will indicate to the local cachers, the final is another of the .50 cal ammo cans courtesy of ScoutingWV.

CAUTION IS REQUIRED AT THE OVERLOOKS. The overlooks have sharp drop-offs and some have gaps that may pose a danger to people or dogs. Surfaces are irregular and none of the overlooks have railings. Rocks are slippery when wet or icy. Watch for rattlesnakes, who love hot, dry, sunny rocks. The overlooks are over a mile from the parking lot and you are completely responsible for your own safety.

Also, be aware of all hunting seasons when visiting Snake Hill WMA and consider wearing orange when appropriate. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

Don’t forget to wave to those tiny dots looking back at you from Coopers Rock nearly a mile away. And one last word of caution: do not attempt this cache without a camera and/or binoculars or you will be kicking yourself all the way back to your vehicle! Be safe and enjoy!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Stage 1] Haqre pbeare bs ebpx arne bhgpebccvat. [Stage 2] Pbirerq ol fznyy ebpx whfg orsber fgrccvat bagb bhgpebccvat.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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