Milkingstead View Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The cache has been placed in the part of the pasture that is primarily used by sheep to 'chill out.' It is also on the higher ground (not much higher) so views of the Fells opposite are good - if you want better views then a quick trip up the Public Right of Way to Rigg behind Milkingstead Wood.
The cache is a 5" x 8" x 3" tupperware box.
As always please be very careful not to disturb the flora/fauna when looking for the cache site - a spoiler picture is included below which clearly identifies the cache location. 
THE ESKDALE WALK - 12.2 Kms
Here is a suggested 'circular walk' on which this cache is included and if followed, would 'bag' eight caches or nine if you go 'off route' slightly for the Fell End - Eskdale (GCWB2B) cache. The 'walk' is in two parts: a 'hilly part' which is North of the main road and a 'flat part' being South of the main road. There are no hard and fast rules as to how you complete this walk: hilly or flat first, clockwise or anticlockwise, starting somewhere else, or even just doing part of it - the choice is yours. The following details are based on starting at Fisherground Campsite and walking clockwise.
HILLY PART
The 'hilly part' could be started at either the Fisherground Campsite (walking clockwise) or Boot Mill (anticlockwise). The upside of starting at the Fisherground Campsite is that you could use the 'water holes' at Boot (half way round) to 're-hydrate.'
On this part of the Route you should be able to visit the following caches: Fell End - Eskdale (GCWB2B), (if you take the detour as mentioned above), Fell End View (GCWB2B), Blea Tarn (GC1144V), Eskdale Fell View (GC1CR6R) and Boot Mill (GC159VZ), before stopping at Boot Inn or Brook House Inn at Boot (a journey of just over 5kms as long as you don't go astray between this cache and the Blea Tarn (GC1144V) cache - you have been warned!).
FLAT PART
After 're-hydrating'  the journey can then be continued down to St Catherine's Cache (GC10YJ4) cache. If you're in the mood to cover the full route, continue North East on the North side of the River Esk to the Doctor Bridge View (GC1PR71) cache. Cross over the bridge and head West along the South side of the River Esk, this part of the route is particularly nice with the background sound of the river. From Doctor Bridge it is about a 4.5km walk back to the Fisherground Camp Site in which you should be able to visit the UnderbankView (GC1PR6J) and Milkingstead View (GC1PR6W) caches.
If your not in the mood to do the full route and want to shorten your overall journey by 3.5kms (by missing out Doctor Bridge) there is a bridge (N 54° 23.400 W 003° 15.976) across the River Esk approximately 150m South West of St Catherine's Cache (GC10YJ4) or IF the River Esk is low, there are stepping stones crossing the River Esk opposite St. Catherine's Church - never cross the stones when the river is in flood  Please consider all safety aspects carefully before deciding on whether to use this crossing point. You will still be able to visit the UnderbankView (GC1PR6J) and Milkingstead View (GC1PR6W) caches on the way back to Fisherground Campsite.
If visiting this cache/route on a Sunday in June, you may come across 30 to 40 young people from St. Bees School Combined Cadet Force using this route as Day 1 of their two day Bronze DOE Practice Expedition.
Hopefully they won't be lost!
Many thanks to Clive Stretton, NT Warden - Duddon & Eskdale, for granting permission to place the cache in this location.
Route for Adobe users: The Eskdale Walk - pdf (756KB)
And last but not least - enjoy the walk! 
FTF - Dunscott (12th April 2009)
STF - Tashington & Fellsmanhiker (13th April 2009)
TTF - MBFace (13th April 2009) |
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre gur terra fyngr