This area is part of the Bowater Pocket Wilderness that is open for public recreation. You may want to bring your swimming suit, because after the hike you may feel like taking a dip in one of the many blue holes of Richland Creek. Also, bring a flashlight so that you can find the new cache that Paintball Wizard hid today as well. It is his first hide, and I finally talked him into creating his own profile.
This trail is one of the most beautiful around. Most of it is easy to moderate provided you aren't tempted to take any of the short cuts through the switch backs. Please don't do this, because they cause severe erosion, and you might even go the wrong way when you get back on the main trail. The trail is well maintained with white blazes and only minor deadfall crossings at the very end near the cache. On the way up stay to your right, because the trail forks. If you go to your left you will end up at Snow Falls. There is a small wood sign laying on the ground at the fork in the path.
You will need to hike all the way to the base of the falls. Stop and enjoy the beauty a while! From here the last portion of the hike to the cache is the most strenuous.
Here is where I met a nice couple, who had heard of geocaching through a friend in Nashville. I was going to place the cache near the base of the falls until they told me they were going to the top of the bluff to camp, so...
After you enjoy the falls, start back down the trail, but in a very short distance you will see the trail cut up toward the bluff. Take this path up to the base of the bluff (where people like to rock climb) and then follow along the base away from the falls, past a natural pillar, and to the gap where you will need to climb to the top of the bluff.
The pillar is where I came up with the name for the cache. I had thought of hiding the cache around it because it is so cool looking, but there was a baby Black Vulture standing in a hollow at the base of it! It was nearly full size, but still covered in down and unable to fly. Momma was nearby, but didn't bother us. It was cool to see this up close! If you hurry, not only will you get FTF, but may see the Buzzard yourself. I am guessing it will learn to fly and be gone in only a few days.
Once you pass this pillar and make it to the gap you will need to climb up through the gap to the top of the bluff. This isn't really dangerous, the couple I followed had what looked to be 40-50 lb. packs on their backs! Just be careful and choose your path carefully.
Once you get to the top, take the trail with white blazes to your right, stopping at a few overlooks to take in the breathtaking views. The cache is near a large flat sandstone clearing that is covered in thick moss - a perfect and natural pad for your sleeping bag!
Since this cache is about the hike and views, not about the hunt, I am providing a clue that should shorten you search for the cache.
Also, since this is a very remote area, keep these things in mind:
- Wear good shoes; you will be walking on rock much of the way, some of which might be wet.
- Pay attention, look for landmarks, and watch your GPS. If you don't you can easily take a wrong path on your trip to or from the cache. You might consider making a series of waypoints along the way to aid your return trip.
- Keep an eye out for snakes - I didn't see any, but this
- Let someone know where you are going.
- Bring plenty of water.
- Bring a camera!
Congratulations FTF Green Tree Frogs & Sagebrushwoody!