Four Cache Loop Multi-cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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If your looking for an
adventure then this cache is for you!! Grab your day-pack and
GPS and hit the trail. Oh, did I mention that there is a
merit badge involved? (see fig4)
This is a multi-leg cache located in the Sam Houston National Forest on
the Four Notch Loop Trail. This is a 10 mile spur/loop off of the
Lone Star Hiking
Trail just southeast of Huntsville, TX. This cache can be done
in one day if you are an aggressive hiker. Otherwise you might want
to break up the mileage by spending the night somewhere on the
trail. There are a number of primitive areas to pitch a tent and
have a campfire if there isn't a burn-ban in effect. There are no
actual developed campsites but the trail itself is well marked and
maintained. The 10 miles of hiking is what contributes the most
difficulty to this cache especially if you attempt it in the warmer
months. You can get a trail map from the L.S.H.T. club's map
page. Just click on the "4NotchLoop" button to download a
printable PDF file. I've made a low quality JPG file that you can
print out below (fig1).
PARKING:I would recommend to park at
the official trail head off of forest service road 213 at 30°
38.769 N, 095° 25.396 W, because these caches will lead around the
loop trail and if you choose other parking spots you might end up
walking even more mileage. This parking spot is the location of the
old Four Notch lookout tower. You can see the leg foundations
around one of the concrete slabs in the area. If you are into
benchmark hunting this tower location is benchmark PID BL2177(fig2).
HIKING:Four Notch Loop will take you
through the typical East Texas terrain that you've experienced
around other caches in the area. You'll walk through tall stands of
pines, meandering creek beds lined with deciduous hardwoods, and
through low lying floodplains of palmetto and ferns. Boswell Creek
is one of the obstacles that you'll encounter twice along the
trail. There used to be a bridge (30° 38.676 N, 095° 23.496 W) on
the lower section but it got washed out by the frequent flooding.
Thus you are going to have to ford the creek during the wet season.
During the drier times it should just be a hop over to the other
side. As of 2/7/2003 there is a large tree laying across Boswell in
the upper section of the trail (fig3). This is a great way to get across until it
dies or washes away. I would estimate an average time of about 5.5
hours just to hike the entire loop without taking into account any
time spent searching for the cache stages. A flashlight might be of
help if you don't plan accordingly.
CACHING:The first cache contains the
coordinates to the second cache; the second to the third; and the
third to the final cache. The first three caches have some extra
batteries, but they don't have enough room for trade goods. In the
final cache I have enclosed a log journal, sometimes a disposable
camera, and plenty of trade goods. Please leave a journal entry and
snap a picture of yourself. The disposable camera is not a prize so
please return it into the cache container. I will periodically
develop the film and post the images on this webpage. As a special
prize for completing this cache, I've included a custom made patch
(fig4). Everyone in your party is welcome to take
a patch, even if you have nothing to leave. I think you've earned
it!! By the comments and request of the
first few seekers I ought to warn you to bring some extra supplies
to aid in obtaining one of the caches. A rope might be
needed.
CAMPING:If you want to stay overnight
on the trail I have a couple suggested spots that are super cool.
The first is kind of far off the trail, about a mile or so, but is
definitely worth looking into. There is an old logging road that
you need to find that leads directly to the spot without having to
bushwack. This road hits the Four Notch Loop at 30° 39.151 N, 095°
23.138 W and leads off in a south by southeast direction into a
young forest of pines. Follow that road to 30° 38.636 N, 095°
23.185 W, and bring a fishing pole. I've made a map of this old
road for those who wish to print it out (fig5). Another nice camping spot is at hidden
lake. It is labeled on the Four Notch Loop trail map and the
easiest access road off the trail comes in from the north.
HINTS:At each cache you will get hints
for the next cache you are searching for. I'll provide a printout
of these hints in the caches so you can take one and decifer it
whenever you want. The following hint is just for the first cache
in the loop. It starts with generic info and ends with specific. So
you can decifer one step at a time and not spoil yourself too much.
Most of the caches are only about 50 feet from the trail with the
exception of the first one.
WARNINGS:Here are a number
of things that you should take note of before you venture out for
this cache. There are many insects (mosquitoes& ticks), arachnids (spiders&
scorpions),
poisonous snakes (copperheads&
coral
snakes), poison ivy, animals (wild
hog& bobcat)
and hunters (bubba & joe
bob) that live and dwell in these woods. Take proper
precautions when hiking and prodding around in the bushes while
searching for this cache. Wear sun lotion in the sun; bug juice
when its warm; neon orange clothes during deer hunting season (end
of September to mid January); pants when walking through brush.
Bring a lot of water to drink if you plan to hike in the summer
time.
Regardless of the warnings this
is really a safe place to hike around. I've done this loop more
times that I can remember to count. Enjoy Nature!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Cache #1 Clues
Container: Tang container
[1] Pbairetrapr bs perrxf. [
[2] Ubyyl. [
[3] Vs lbh guvax lbh ner evtug ba gbc bs vg, vg vf evtug ba gbc bs lbh. [
[4] Haubbx ebcr naq ybjre.[