For this one you will need to use your imagination. The year is 1776. The American fight for Independence is under way in Boston and the Sons of Liberty have spread to New York and beyond. British war ships will soon threaten the Hudson River, possibly dividing the colonies in two. Thus, the strategic importance of the river valley from Lake George to the Atlantic is clearly obvious to both sides. Chains bridge the river, forts and batteries are built at West Point and the surrounding vantage points. These facts have survived the test of time, yet one of the most strategic locations in the northeast has been largely forgotten, bulldozed and buried by progress. It was known as Wiccopee Pass.
Wiccopee Pass was of vital importance because of its location. It was the convergence of the main north-west and east-west roads that bridged the Northeast and New England colonies, just as today I-84 and Route 9 (the Albany Post Road) are major arteries of travel and commerce. At this convulgence, sheltered by the Fishkill Ridge and surrounding mountains the Continental Army built its main Supply Depot at Wiccopee, or what is today the abandoned Dutchess Mall. In fact the ruins of a portion of the fort were bulldozed to make way for the mall and McDonalds...not to mention the numerous graves of unknown soldiers that were paved over.
The headquarters for the Wiccopee fort were located at the Van Wyck homestead, built in 1732 (enlarged in 1757). Here historical figures such as Washington, Gates,
Lafayette, van Steuben, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay plotted the defeat of the British Empire. The house still stands very much as it once did, with the exception of the entrance having changed sides after the construction of I-84.
The cache is a regular container (well it was meant to house cereal) and is located on the grounds of the historic homestead. As stated before please be discreet when finding and signing the log.
Hope you enjoy!