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The Cache
The cache is best accessed by hiking counter-clockwise on the Moss Lake Loop trail that starts at the Camp Sheppard trailhead parking area. The trail is less than a mile and circumnavigates a dying lake. The trail was begun in the early 1970s by local scouts camping and learning about conservation, a legacy of the CCC camp 40 years earlier
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History
Camp Snoquera was a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) base camp, dating from the Great Depression in the 1930s. From this site, the CCC built roads and structures in Mount Rainier National Park as well as the Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest. The men serving in the camp dubbed it "Snoquera," a combination of Snoqualmie and the Employment Recover Act (ERA) that paid their wages. Even before the Great Depression, beginning in the 1890s, the area was a regular stop along the wagon road leading up to Starbo Copper Mine, which pulled metal out of Mount Rainier for more than 50 years.
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In 1946 Henry J. Sheppard leased the land from the federal government for use as a Boy Scout camp. In 1952 the lease was transferred to the Seattle Area Council, and in 1954, Camp Snoquera was renamed Camp Sheppard in honor of Mr. Sheppard.
Today, Camp Sheppard is known for its winter activities, and the Trading Post/Craft Lodge is a remaining artifact of the CCC days.
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Hiking Trails
Many options for the hiker start here, from the gentle loop around Moss Lake to the strenuous hike up to the base of Snoquera Falls, or to the top of the Palisades. The White River Trail passes along the base of the Palisades. Long or short, easy or hard, this is a good spot to stay and explore.
A good resource for these trails is the Washington Trails Association (WTA) website, including:
Moss Lake Loop
SnoqueraFalls Loop
Palisades
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Parking Fees
A Northwest Forest Day or Annual Pass is required to park at the trailhead parking area.
2016 was the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and to celebrate, Visit Rainier and WSGA hosted the Visit Rainier Centennial GeoTour - 100 caches placed in and around Mount Rainier National Park. The geocaches highlighted the rich history, scenic wonders, quaint communities, and hidden gems of the Rainier region. Participants received geocoin and pathtag prizes for finding all the caches.
