Wetlands Boardwalk Traditional Cache
Bayou Gang: We no longer have time to maintain this cache. It will have to be archived. Thanx to all who visited it.
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
(regular)
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We set this cache up because this is what caching is all about. It is in an area that you would never know about unless somebody led you to it, and it is worth visiting. This is the type of cache I love to find when we cache away from home.
The area where the cache is located is usually deserted. You may think you are being led on a wild goose chase, but you will be pleasantly surprised. This cache is in a wetlands mitigation area designed to educate the public about wetlands and native vegetation along the southern gulf coast. You will only have to walk approximately 1/4 of a mile (roundtrip) to get to the cache. However, after you bag the cache, there is an enjoyable 2-mile path along maintained trails and elevated wooden boardwalks. There are educational signs along the trails and boardwalks that explain the importance of wetlands and identify some of the native vegetation. There is even a beaver pond at the far end of the trail.
The road to the parking area is fairly new and might not show up on some mapping programs. So here are our “fool proof” directions. Take Bellingrath Road south from U.S. Hwy 90. Turn east on Industrial Road. This is the road that may not be in your mapping program. However it does show on the MapQuest map below. (Zoom in on the MapQuest map. It will help.) Park at 30 31.030N and 88 09.162W in the parking lot. The parking area is easily identifiable because short yellow metal poles set in the ground with a large metal cable strung between them surround it. If you go too far to the east you will see a yellow metal pipe gate with a no trespassing sign. Don't worry the parking area and all of your exploring is on public land expressly set aside for your visit. After you park, you will see signs at the north edge of the parking lot showing where the trail begins and which way to go. The cache is located at the beginning of the wetlands area approximately 600 feet from the parking lot.
A few notes about this cache. This cache is a replacement of our Muddy Creek Cache as the cache itself did not survive Hurricane Katrina. If you visited the Muddy Creek Cache, you may want to pass this one by. If you walk the entire trail now, you will see many trees that also did not survive Katrina. A few of these trees are very interesting now.
Although the cache is in a wetlands area, the trails are only wet after a hard rain, and the raised wooden boardwalks allow you to easily walk over soggy areas. You will walk over three boardwalks if you choose to walk the entire trail. You will be surprised to see boardwalks this large and this nice in these woods.
This is a small cache so bring small items. It is in a rain proof “Tupperware” type container so it should stay dry. When placed, the cache contained a log and pen, 5 lead civil war bullets from the battle of Spanish Fort, a large bag of marbles, various key chains, and a few small toys for the kiddies.
The trail is easy to follow and regularly maintained. In August and September the banana spiders make a lot of webs along the trail. They are not dangerous but they are big, and their webs can be annoying. Bring your dog. He (or she) will love this hike. If the weather is warm you will want to bring water along on this trek, as none is available in the immediate area (don't forget some for your pooch). Lastly, these trails and boardwalks are also nice mountain bike trails.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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Treasures
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