Hot Dam!
This cache is placed next to one of the dams located near 4S Ranch, West of Rancho Bernardo. I tried to find some information on the web about these old concrete and stone dams, but was unsuccessful. Fellow Cacher BlackAce has since explained that this dam was used as part of a mining operation on Black Mountain. It is a fun place to visit and sit to enjoy the views. Best access is from the recommended parking coordinates. The R/T hike is about 1/2 mile from there. You can't easily access this cache from the N side of the pond (by the Instar cache), even though it looks to be a short walk.
Some light bushwacking is required. The trails are fairly obvious though not all of them lead you to the cache and there is a lot of overgrowth in some areas. Pants are recommended and be on the lookout for snakes. There is a bee hive at the end of the fruit grove in a purple irrigation valve box, but it is easily avoided (you might not even see it), and some finders have noticed some ticks as well. A semblance of a trail does eventually link up with PQCacher's "Above the hidden pond" cache, but its very rough going, and I don't advise it. My recommended parking is from a different direction anyway. This cache approach might not be the easiest (brush, bees, snakes, ticks), but it is worth the effort!
WARNING! The South side of the dam is not fenced off like the North side is, so please USE EXTREME CARE if you choose to walk out on the dam itself (not required to find this cache), especially with children! It could be a potentially FATAL fall!
Please rehide better than found. Thanks!
