Details for Benchmark: HT1619

N 37° 20.700 W 122° 04.633 (NAD 83)

Altitude: 228.1

Coordinates may not be exact. Altitude is VERTCON and location is SCALED. (more info)

Location:
In SANTA CLARA county, CA View Original Datasheet
Designation:
T 180 CGS RESET 1966
Marker Type:
survey disk
Setting:
set into the top of a round concrete monument
Stability:
May hold, but of type commonly subject to surface motion.

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Navigation

Mark Destroyed 09/07/2018 rcccraft marked HT1619 as destroyed   Visit Log

Benchmark is completely buried in the concrete. cannot be seen very well
Found it 09/05/2018 rcccraft found HT1619   Visit Log

3rd Benchmark on the list! TFTBM
Didn't find it 02/16/2018 Ullii couldn't find HT1619   Visit Log

Bummer, it was buried and all I had was a rock to dig with. I gave it a try, but I wasn't properly equipped.
Didn't find it 09/13/2017 camnpete couldn't find HT1619   Visit Log

I used trode's 04-25-2006 "photoview of the witness post looking north" to locate the witness post. I dug for about 15 minutes until I wore out the handle of my trowel (VERY rocky soil), and finally gave up after making a hole ~8" deep.
Write note 01/07/2016 rragan posted a note for HT1619   Visit Log

Found the witness post easily enough but as others have noted the marker has gone underground. I didn't have digging equipment with me and recent rains have turned the soil to mud. I dug some but then gave up.
Found it 09/21/2015 fishnguy&10sgrl found HT1619   Visit Log

Way down there, but close to a cache.
Found it 09/04/2015 gooseville found HT1619   Visit Log

Found in combination with the local puzzle related to it. TFTBM
Found it 08/31/2015 Yaten found HT1619   Visit Log

I don't look for these often but something nearby led me here. Cheers!
Found it 10/19/2014 BearTerritory found HT1619   Visit Log

Wow, this one is really tucked away, but in fine shape.
Write note 09/30/2014 WERDAVE posted a note for HT1619   Visit Log

Found the witness post with a pretty deep hole right next to it. Looking at past photos, I'm fairly sure the BM is still down there, but at least a foot and maybe more deep. New curb since the last photos, but looks like it is far enough away to not have covered the BM. Next time I'll did deeper.
Found it 02/01/2013 penguinphloppers found HT1619   Visit Log

Found this one while picking up something close by. Used the coordinates from a previous finder's log. Our first benchmark! I've tried finding some before. Maybe I always need to expand the coordinates and go more by the description.
Found it 01/25/2013 Mask2011 found HT1619   Visit Log

Out grabbing something else nearby and came across this baby. Sign helped but needs some love. Used a previous finders coords and it took me right to it. TFTB
Found it 05/16/2012 not2b found HT1619   Visit Log

I visited today, in search of, um, Something Else, and it is buried quite deep now.
Found it 05/05/2012 leelelee found HT1619   Visit Log

Although the benchmark was completely buired, I used pictures from prior logs to locate where it was hiding. I wonder why this benchmark is so low in the ground?
Found it 03/06/2012 jijikat found HT1619   Visit Log

My second benchmark! thegirlsfromPA turned me onto this clever one, and with the dry weather and very light cover, it was easy enough to discover.
Found it 03/03/2012 mcdurr found HT1619   Visit Log

I think this is the first benchmark I've logged. Woot!
Found it 12/18/2011 DragonsWest found HT1619   Visit Log

Found in good condition. It's about a foot below ground level.

[Photos:]
photoHT1619 T180 Reset
Found it 07/04/2011 kanchan found HT1619   Visit Log

241.

Found it 01/29/2011 airsax found HT1619   Visit Log

Came by a couple days ago, dug a bit and ran out of time without getting to it. GoGoJo and catomcat lent me a trowel and after a little work today I unearthed this guy. Besides being buried in dirt, this mark is in pretty good shape.
Found it 10/30/2010 geodanimal found HT1619   Visit Log

Got it.
Found it 10/30/2010 Team Yofa found HT1619   Visit Log

Found easily. The Witness Post has seen better days. Thanks!
Found it 10/09/2010 thegirlsfromPA found HT1619   Visit Log

Found it while locating nearby cache.
Found it 09/25/2010 kindredlaugh found HT1619   Visit Log

Found while logging the nearby cache
Found it 12/07/2009 sleepyrobin found HT1619   Visit Log

My first benchmark. I should have planned ahead and brought gloves instead of getting my hands dirty.
Found it 08/15/2009 The North Star found HT1619   Visit Log

My first benchmark! I didn't know that you could find/log these (NGS Benchmark) until I noticed them on another geocacher's found list. I guess I'm a little slow since I've been geocaching for almost 10 months . Since the marker hasn't been photographed for a few years, I dug around (a lot!!!) and found it. My coordinates were N37 20.759 W122 04.659 but it's obvious from the witness post and the 13 inch deep hole where the marker is located. #423

[Photos:]
photoHT1619 - Witness Post
photoHT1619 - Marker
Found it 07/29/2009 J5 Crew found HT1619   Visit Log

It's there and doing well, but the posted coordinates should be: N37 20.759 W122 04.658. Why do they always seem wrong on the Benchmarks pages?

Found it 05/07/2009 runnerinwoods found HT1619   Visit Log

Finally found the Witness.

[Photos:]
photoWitness finally found!
Found it 07/13/2008 sleuthers found HT1619   Visit Log

Found whilst in the area looking for a cache.
Found it 02/13/2008 xmts found HT1619   Visit Log

My first benchmark, found as a result of budd-rdc's 50% off sale.
Found it 01/28/2008 Sonic Rabbits West found HT1619   Visit Log

All this rain left the hole muddy and icky. But I know it was down in the bottom of the hole, and I did find the witness. That's pretty cool, actually.
Found it 09/14/2007 WalruZ found HT1619   Visit Log

I wish more of these things had witness posts, would make the whole business much easier.

[Photos:]
photoCan I have a WIT-NESS!!!
Found it 05/15/2007 catomcat found HT1619   Visit Log

The picture with the "post" made this one easy to find. Still, I had to scoop out 3 inches of debris that had fallen into the hole.
Found it 05/06/2007 SouthBayCrew found HT1619   Visit Log

Found it. Included a "me too" photo.

[Photos:]
photoHT1619
Found it 03/03/2007 niraD found HT1619   Visit Log

This is the second benchmark I've logged. I've included a photo.

[Photos:]
photoHT1619
Found it 02/03/2007 TimberToo found HT1619   Visit Log

Witness post and a benchmark in a deep hole. Hardest part of finding it was finding a parking spot when you have the right coordinates.
Found it 01/14/2007 Gitonyerhorse found HT1619   Visit Log

Benchmark is now under about a foot of leaf litter and pine needles. After digging a bit, I found the benchmark still readable. Replaced the debris on top again.
Found it 09/24/2006 Wacka found HT1619   Visit Log

The hole is filling with debris again, but spotted it.
Found it 08/26/2006 Mauison found HT1619   Visit Log

Wow, what an amazing FTF by Charles on this one. It was covered with dirt and leaves when we found but we managed to catch a glimpse of it after brushing away some of the debris.
Found it 08/15/2006 Rogue Ramblers found HT1619   Visit Log

Normally I'm not all that interested in hunting benchmarks, but had to grab this one. I can see how this activity can be quite challenging.
Found it 08/12/2006 escooby found HT1619   Visit Log

I don't think I'll ever get over how tough this must have been to find originally. Given the depth and location I am still amazed it was ever found and this find has spurred me to actually look at my closes benchmarks (something I hadn't done). TFTB!
Found it 08/06/2006 PurplePeople found HT1619   Visit Log

Wow, impressive effort recovering this one! Still exposed.
Found it 07/27/2006 kablooey found HT1619   Visit Log

Wow. Impressive work. Even so, it took a lot of scooping to get a view of this thing again, as more falls in every time I scooped some out.

[Photos:]
photoWitness sign
Somebody broke off part of the sign.
photoThe marker
Found it 07/24/2006 crawburr found HT1619   Visit Log

Easy find, since this has now been so well documented. First finder did an amazing job.

Found it 06/06/2006 Alamogul found HT1619   Visit Log

Buried again.
Found it 06/03/2006 TeamOttlet found HT1619   Visit Log

Had to dig a couple inches of loose dirt out of the hole to see it.

Found it 05/17/2006 batecher found HT1619   Visit Log

Found it right after spotting the witness post. The hole is filling up with dirt and debris.

[Photos:]
photoHT1619 Witness Post 05-17-06.jpg
Found it 04/25/2006 trode found HT1619   Visit Log

Wow, budd-rdc really earned this one. I used his coordinates N 37° 20.759 W 122° 04.658 which led me right to the witness post. Behind the post was a prominent hole, at the bottom of which could be seen the survey marker. I'm guessing the hole was about a foot and a half deep. Wow. I cleaned out half an inch or so of loose dirt and took a picture. It seems likely that the hole will fill itself back up over time. Great fun.

[Photos:]
photowitness post
photoview of the witness post looking north
the witness post (and hole containing the survey marker) is just to the right of the stop sign
photothe benchmark
in a hole about one and a half feet below ground level
photoview looking down on the benchmark
the witness post is in the foreground at the bottom of the picture
photolooking south from the benchmark
the stoplight is the intersection of Grant Rd and Foothill Blvd
Found it 04/23/2006 shadow101 found HT1619   Visit Log

Found it still slightly covered up from Marky's visit.
Found it 04/23/2006 Marky found HT1619   Visit Log

still covered up with dirt. Had to dig some to see it.
Found it 04/19/2006 bytemobile found HT1619   Visit Log

I dug out a little debris and touched it, but didn't clean it enough to take a picture.
Found it 04/08/2006 atc found HT1619   Visit Log

Thanks to bullit, I didn't have to dig much to see the benchmark. TFTC!
Found it 04/08/2006 bullit found HT1619   Visit Log

Found this one on the way home after helping my Dad out. Thanks to budd-rdc for persevering and digging this guy out. I was able to expose the disk by moving some dirt away but didn't have any water to clean it up again

[Photos:]
photoWitness post
photoMuddy disk :-)
Found it 04/06/2006 payakoi found HT1619   Visit Log

I've stopped by to look for this one a long time ago. Found the witness post, but I generally stop after pushing a little dirt around. There's no way I would have pushed on that deep to find this one! Well, for the time being, it is a bit easier to find.
Found it 03/22/2006 Nazgul found HT1619   Visit Log

I decided to come see budd-rdc's triumph here because I could sympathize with his efforts here, although it's certainly deeper than I've ever had to excavate for a benchmark. When I saw the location I pictured budd-rdc digging here with a shovel, looking like some sort of sordid graverobber while a long line of perplexed Los Altos residents drove past wondering what on earth he was doing.

The disk was buried with loose dirt when I got there but there was a short, stout branch nearby (probably left by a previous cacher) which I used to confirm the identity of the disk before taking a picture after more dirt had tumbled back onto it.

A most suitable choice for my 300th benchmark find! Thanks budd-rdc!

[Photos:]
photoHT1619
photoWhat's left of old witness post
Found it 03/20/2006 frivlas found HT1619   Visit Log

Found this one while looking for a nearby cache.
Found it 03/20/2006 oneangrypuppy found HT1619   Visit Log

One of many bench marks I have found and saw no reason to log previously.
Found it 03/20/2006 stbk found HT1619   Visit Log

I'm normally not one to log benchmarks, but I found myself standing over this one this morning, so I thought I should make an exception.

Found it 03/15/2006 50sumtin found HT1619   Visit Log

Spotted the witness post. The rest was easy. 50sumtin
Found it 03/11/2006 The Rat found HT1619   Visit Log

Thanks for the spadework. I should have at least spotted the witness post when I was here the first time, but MotorBug was the sharp eyed one. My GPS showed the(corrected?) coordinates posted in the logs to be off by 47 feet.
Found it 03/04/2006 budd-rdc found HT1619   Visit Log

Victory is mine! I won't be denied.

I decided to visit here, figuring that the rains have softened the soil for easier digging, and I was right. My shovel was digging 2' deep within a short time, disturbing some earthworms, pebbles, and loose asphalt along the way. Finally, there was that unmistakable concrete scrape...

FOUND IT!

I guessed correctly about the repaving burying the benchmark. It is in good condition, but will likely be buried again.

[Photos:]
photoArea Around HT1619
Camera is pointing down and approximately west.
photoT180 RESET
The benchmark was buried deep under the soil.
Write note 08/08/2005 budd-rdc posted a note for HT1619   Visit Log
N 37° 20.759 W 122° 04.658

Looks like I was searching the wrong area last time. I found the Witness Post tekcor found about 100' north of where I was last time. The power line poles may have been rearranged, so I used "60 YARDS NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE FOOTHILL EXPRESSWAY" to find it. The cyclone fence doesn't extend here anymore due to the bus stop construction, but sections of it remain further east behind the ivy growth.

It was tough getting a good reading, but the coordinates should get you close. It's right next to the stop sign.

I brought a small shovel and started digging, but didn't find anything. I did find a piece of the Witness Post sign about 1' deep in the soil which wasn't hard-packed as I thought. I couldn't dig deep enough to run into the Witness Post's concrete anchor. I know firsthand that Grant Road has been repaved, so I suspect the BM is much lower than road level now. I may return with a larger shovel and dig deeper for the BM. Others are welcome to try the same.

[Photos:]
photoArea Near HT1619
The Witness Post is below and to the right of the Stop sign.
photoThe Witness Post
Looks like it got hit by a car. I dug deep enough to reveal that the post was bent. I'll have to dig deeper to reach the concrete anchor.
photoPieces of the Sign
I found the larger piece (shinier one below) in the bushes. I found the smaller, soil-stained one about 1 feet under the soil. It seems loose soil has accumulated since this sign got hit, so there's hope that the BM is buried underneath.
Didn't find it 07/13/2005 budd-rdc couldn't find HT1619   Visit Log
N 37° 20.737 W 122° 04.665

The coordinates I posted is for a concrete anchor, likely remains of the witness post.

I investigated two areas, one described by The Rat and the other by tekcor. The white 4x4 The Rat found is a marker for something else - there's an underground metal pipe covered by plywood under the ivy. I checked it out, but didn't see any benchmark there.

The area described by tekcor seems to match the NGS description. Approximately 50' south of a wooden power pole with a guy wire, and about 50' east of the center of the intersection of Grant Ave. and Foothill Expressway.

The witness post seemed to have broken off from the concrete anchor. I had to remove about 1" of dirt to expose the remains. I'll wait until the rain season for the soil to soften before I dig up the area further.
Didn't find it 06/06/2003 tekcor couldn't find HT1619   Visit Log

Found the witness post, northwest of the bus stop at Grant road and the extension of the road. Did not find the BM, and a depression in the hard packed dirt may have been it's old hole.
Didn't find it 03/16/2003 The Rat couldn't find HT1619   Visit Log

The coordinates would have put me in the middle of Foothill, so I went by the description. I found a white post, looked like a 4x4, in the ivy patch just NW of the library parking lot, and also about 52 ft. S of a power pole with a guy wire, but I could not find anything within 3 ft to the NW of that other than dirt and ivy. I even probed with a screwdriver. None of the other reference points looked like they would help. This might be on private property now.

Documented History (by the NGS)

01/01/1966 by CGS (MONUMENTED)
01/01/1967 by NGS (GOOD)
DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1967 2.5 MI S FROM MOUNTAIN VIEW. 2.5 MILES SOUTH ALONG GRANT ROAD FROM THE JUNCTION OF EL CAMINO REAL AT MOUNTAIN VIEW, 60 YARDS NORTHEAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE FOOTHILL EXPRESSWAY, 48 FEET EAST OF THE CENTER LINE OF ROAD, 52 FEET SOUTH OF A POWER LINE POLE WITH A GUY WIRE, 2.3 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE WEST END OF A CYCLONE FENCE, 0.8 FOOT SOUTHWEST OF A FENCE, 1.6 FEET NORTHWEST OF A WITNESS POST, ABOUT LEVEL WITH THE ROAD, AND SET IN THE TOP OF A CONCRETE POST FLUSH WITH THE GROUND.

Control Text

  • The horizontal coordinates were scaled from a topographic map and have an estimated accuracy of +/- 6 seconds.
  • The NAVD 88 height was computed by applying the VERTCON shift value to the NGVD 29 height (displayed under SUPERSEDED SURVEY CONTROL.) The vertical order pertains to the superseded datum.
  • The geoid height was determined by GEOID99.

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