Major Stamina Required Traditional Cache
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Finally got a chance to explore the other end of the Soldier Lake Gullies where they empty into Lake Major and placed a cache so others can experience this great area. I have another cache (Keep Soldier’in On) at the other end of the gullies on Soldier Lake.
This is a long hike. You can park at either end of the access road that parallels Highway 118 between Portobello and Fall River. Option one is at the gate on the access road just off Exit 14 for Miller Lake (N44 48.258 W63 35.909). Option two is in the parking area off of Waverley Road (N44 44.583 W63 33.587). From either starting point, follow the access road to trailhead for the old woods road at N44 46.685 W63 34.495. This section would be best covered by mountain bike if possible as it follows highway and has a nice smooth surface. Parking on the highway near the trailhead is not only illegal but dangerous because of the narrow shoulder. Follow the trail to a junction at N44 46.855 W63 33.020 where you go left and continue downhill to the Soldier Lake Gullies. This road is rocky and rough and has some wet spots (most of which can be skirted, I repeat 'most of which'). Take a right at N44 47.385 W63 32.517 onto a lovely trail on the gully floor that goes all the way to Lake Major. This trail is very scenic but can also be a little 'damp' (see photo below). The trail has a lot of variety including sections that could arguably be classified in the lake or stream category. The cache is located beside the stream as it widens and enters the lake; about 25 m above what looks like a seasonal campsite so some stealth may be required at certain times of the year. The GPS reception is poor throughout the gully so I have tied a couple of flagging tape rings (see photo) on a tree within 2 m of the cache, which is wedged into a hole between two rocks. I don't think it is right for someone to come all the way out here for a DNF. An alternate route would be via canoe or kayak on Lake Major but this is an 8 km long lake with no islands or points to hide behind if the wind is blowing along its length (North-South). The day I placed the cache the wind was blowing hard from the west when I set out down the hill to the gullies but once I reached the bottom there was barely a ripple on the water because of the protection of the surrounding hills.
Cache container is a plastic bottle with camo tape wedged between two rocks about two feet off of the ground. It should be accessible in winter unless a lot of snow has fallen. I had planned to include a $10 gift card from the Second Cup for the FTF but forgot to add it in the car. The FTF’er can email me with there mailing address after they find it and I will mail the FTF prize to them.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures