About Gone Fishing
Gone Fishing is the first of 21 caches that comprise the Zargfinders Power Trail that follows the Circuit Walk around Manly Dam. Detailed information about the Power Trail can be found below.
This cache is located at the Manly Dam Wall. It is a camoed bison tube that is NOT in plain view. Please be careful NOT to drop the bison tube as only the lid is attached securely to the camo. When replacing, please push it back in the camo as far as possible.
Also, the log sheet is Rite in the Rain paper, so if it's quite damp, please try to pat it dry and air it out a bit - and also try to dry out the inside of the bison tube canister. (Thanks!) If it's a soggy mess and impossible to sign, feel free to log a Found It anyway - and please let us know so we can eventually replace it.
The cache is NOT attached to the large cement pillar, so please do not touch any of the strings or wires attached to it.
There is NO need to lean or reach over the top of the rail. We don't want anyone falling in!! The log may be a bit damp, but it's "Rite in the Rain" paper. So, unless it's soggy, you should still be able to write on it if you air dry it for a minute or so.
GZ can be a high muggle area. Please exercise extreme stealth – especially if people are fishing from the wall. If need be, you can skip this cache and return to it when you finish the trail as it does not contain a clue for the final cache.
Important:
- Take care not to drop the bison tube in the water!
- Replace the cache exactly as you found it
- No spoilers
- Please log DNFs
- Please contact us if the cache requires maintenance
About the Zargfinders Power Trail (ZFPT)
Our family has been to Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam) on many occasions. However, it wasn't until recently that we managed to complete the Circuit Walk that goes around the dam. The reason we finally got around to doing the walk was to scout out locations for a Geocaching Power Trail! And we're hoping that the Power Trail will be enough to motivate others to take this enjoyable walk.
The Power Trail consists of 21 caches placed along the Circuit Walk around the dam. According to the park information, the walk is 7.3km and takes about 3 hours. In theory, the Power Trail is slightly shorter, as the last part follows the road/water instead of continuing along the Nature Trail through the bush. However, when we took the measurements on Google Earth, we came up with a circuit length of nearly 8km - but we couldn't always see the trail on the map so at times had to guess where it went. Check out our Google Earth Map.
Depending on how fast you walk and how quickly you find and log the caches, the Power Trail could take you between 3 and 5 1/2 hours to complete. When we trialled the Power Trail, it took us about 5 1/4 hours. This included time spent finding caches and breaks for lunch, snacks and short swims! When we completed the trail in the rain - without food or swim breaks - it took about 3.5 hours.
Please stick to the marked Circuit Walk trail. At times your GPS may point in a slightly different direction, but there is never a need for bushbashing between caches.
Part of the walk is accessible to mountain bike riders. Please be on the lookout for cyclists when walking that portion of the track.
For more details about the Circuit Walk and other walks around Manly Dam, view the map of the park.
For more information about Manly Dam, check out Warringah Council's Manly Dam web page.
About the Caches
There are a total of 21 caches in the series. The final cache is a Puzzle Cache. The clues required to solve the puzzle can be found in 9 of the caches along the trail.
The caches are not meant to be difficult or take a lot of time - otherwise the Power Trail would take far too long to complete. If you find yourself stumped and don't have any other PAF (Phone A Friend) options, feel free to give us a call on 0431 872 030 if you need a hint.
No two caches are alike - each has its own unique camo - and we hope you'll have a lot of fun finding them. We look forward to reading your logs.
About the Cache Terrain Rating
Please note that the terrain rating of the caches does NOT take into account the distance you need to walk to the cache. Warringah Council has graded the Circuit Walk as some steep sections, mostly easy walking.
Except for the first cache, we have given the caches a minimum terrain rating of 2.5, based on the terrain of the main path. Some caches have a terrain rating that is greater than 2.5. This is based upon the terrain between the main path and the GZ.
Other caches that are a short detour off the path:
What to Bring:
- plenty of water & snacks
- sturdy walking shoes
- GPS and geosense!
- plastic cup
- stickers to swap at ZFPT15 - Yertle's Sticker Swap (optional!)
- pen or pencil to sign logs, take notes for your logs, and write down clues
- sunscreen and hat
- swimmers if you fancy a swim before, during or after the walk
Access to the Power Trail
If you plan to complete the entire Power Trail, the best access point is from Manly Dam, starting with Gone Fishing, the first cache in the series. It is also possible to complete the circuit in reverse order, starting with ZFPT20 - Swimming Area.
If you prefer to complete the trail in sections, there are a number of other access points. These include:
- Water Reserve Road
- Warringah Street
- Manning Street
- Wakehurst Parkway
- Near the Aquatic Centre off Aquatic Drive
- Martin Luther Lane
- Churchill Crescent
- Monserra Road
- Nyrang Road
- Maroa Crescent
Please check out the map of the park.
Parking
There is plenty of parking in the park, though at times it can be very busy. Parking is free for holders of Warringah Council parking permits and for Manly residents. As of 2 June 2014, parking meters became operational for everyone else. For those without permits, the fees are $6 an hour or $10 per day Monday to Friday and $26 per day on weekends. (To save money, you can always park on King Street and walk to the park!)
There are 4 different parking sections. The start of the Power Trail is closest to the Manly Dam Wall in Section 1, where parking is more limited. It's also fine to park in the larger lots on the way to Section 2, as then you'll have a shorter walk from the final cache to your car. If you are completing the trail in reverse order, it is best to park in Section 3.
Please view the Manly Dam Picnic Area and Parking map.
Wildlife in the Park
While taking the walk, make sure to keep a lookout for interesting wildlife. Animals you might spot include a variety of birds, water dragons, possums, snakes and even echidnas!
For more information, refer to Animals at Manly Dam.
Manly Warringah War Memorial Park Opening Hours
Current opening hours are 7am to 8:30pm.