Original cache description written by our dear friend
George1 who tragically passed away following a kayaking accident in
March 2010:
If you missed the Stoney Lonesome Cache you missed a treat. Not
just for the location, but the container was a real work of art.
But alas it was muggled and the owner is nowhere to be found. This
old RR Bridge may be the highest in PA? since the demise of the
Kinzua Bridge so I have decided to revive a cache in the area and
also move the location so it hopefully doesn't get muggled
again.
The Democratic Watchman of Bellefonte reported in their Nov.
14, 1884 edition that the "Great Moshannon Viaduct" opened for
service three days prior. They went on to indicate that the bridge
was "built entirely of iron with the exception of the ties." Be
sure to wish the Viaduct bridge a happy 122nd!
Viaduct Bridge (NYC RR Bridge # B - 25
With the possible exception of the Peale Tunnel, no other structure
in the Beech Creek Railroad Historic District is more impressive
than the bridge over Moshannon Creek at appropriately named
Viaduct. To call the bridge massive would be an understatement - it
is 779 feet long, 119 feet high, with 15 spans supported by eight
towers. As such this bridge is a great example of advanced railroad
civil and structural engineering, especially for the time it was
built. This is an example of a heavy-duty railroad structure, one
that was certainly built to withstand the pounding of heavy trains
over many, many years of use.
Construction probably started on the bridge in early 1884 as it
was reported that by October the ironwork was being erected. The
"Great Moshannon Viaduct...built entirely of iron with the
exception of the ties," was opened on November 11. The completion
of the bridge permitted track laying to continue, unimpeded, on the
Clearfield County side of the Moshannon.
Like the smaller bridges in the western portion of the Beech
Creek Railroad Historic District, this bridge was part of the
1902-03 rebuild program. In fact, until recent years, a plate
affixed to the bridge read "N.Y.C. & H.R.R.R., Rebuilt 1902."
This rebuilding involved replacing the iron spans with steel plate
deck-girders fabricated by American Bridge Company. According to
American Bridge, erection work involved 15 spans, the longest (the
one over the creek itself) being 100 feet long and 10 feet high.
The rebuild project did not seem to have involved the iron towers
other than at least a few may have been moved slightly as today
there are at least a few tower-less bases or pedestals on the
valley floor. The bases for the other towers are a combination cut
stone and concrete, the cut stone probably dating from the original
construction and the concrete from the rebuild project.
Since the 1902-03 rebuild, the only changes to the bridge, other
than periodic tie renewals and the removal of the track rails in
1994, has been the walkway and railing rehabilitation. Until 1984,
wooden walkways and railings had been present on both sides of the
track. That year the walkways and railings were removed and a steel
galvanized walkway and railing were installed but only on the west
side of the track.
Please be aware this is a well used 4 Wheeler trail and a popular
local spot for many others. Keep an eye out for muggles and be
aware that Rattle Snakes have been seen in the area. You should tap
on the Cache area before entering.
Directions
The Cache can be accessed by the Peale Rd. at the end of the
town of Grassflat. However things have changed since the last
Cache. Small cars can no longer go up the hill to the parking area.
Small cars must park at the cement bridge before
crossing the Red Moshannon. You have been warned. You
must have good ground clearance to drive up the hill. The terrain
difficuty rating is for those who have to walk up the hill.It is
1/2 mile and not that bad. The trip back will be much easier.
Once you have reached the parking area ( N40.59.452 -
W078.04.835 ), at the top of the hill, You must park
there
Alternate approach
This approach is from the town of Moshannon. You will head south
or southwest on the Gorton Rd. At first it is paved but quickly
turns to dirt. It is very wide and usually dusty. You will cross
over Black Moshannon Creek and continue until you come to an old
rail grade. You will see a gate on the rail grade. Cross this rail
grade and turn right out this road. You will continue on this road
until you reach the rail grade again, where you will find the
parking coordinates. You will also notice they are building gates
at the area near the parking coordinates. This road is like a wash
board with some mud puddles! I would still not recommend it for
small cars. You will need a high clearance vehicle near the end of
it when you come back down a small hill to the parking area. If you
are unsure about crossing this bad area then park there. It is not
far to the parking area. It is not that bad with a little careful
driving.
It is a level 1.4 mile walk or bike ride to the cache. Do not
drive down the rail bed! You must walk or ride a bike. The area is
open to the general public. Be aware you may meet 4 Wheelers at
anytime on this track.
When you have found the Cache and return to the parking area you
should go the opposite direction on the rail bed to view the Peale
Tunnel. Bring a flashlight to walk through. You can see the other
end but it is tough walking without a flashlight.
I have recieved permission from SSRTA for Geocachers to walk
into the Cache.