The Devil's Well Traditional Geocache
CacheShadow: This cache page has been Archived.
If the cache owner wishes to discuss whether this cache page can be considered for an Unarchive exception :
- The cache/cache page must comply with the current Guidelines,
- A request (including cache GC code) needs to be sent using the Send Email link on my profile page.
Unarchive requests can only be considered if they are made within 3 months of the Archive action.
CacheShadow - Community Volunteer Reviewer
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
You will need to enter the Rockwood Conservation Area and park at the old Harris Woolen Mill ruins. Admission is required to enter the park. Detailed info on how to get to here can be found at www.grandriver.ca - The hike to the cache is on various types of surfaces - paved, single track and off trail - there are steep cliffs along the way as well as around the cache. So be careful when hiking along them. Not suitable for young children.
The container is a clear plastic screw on flour/sugar type container. The lid is blue. The cache has a log book, writing utensils and various children’s toys - a transformer truck, a game die, a small stuffed Koala, some Hello Kitty sunglasses, some rings and a bracelet, a package of hair elastics, etc.
The cache is approximately 15m. East of the rim of the Devil's Well. The Devil's Well is located at N43 36.747 W080 08.365. Once you have found the cache be sure to take the opportunity to venture into the giant pothole known as the Devil’s Well. DO NOT attempt to climb directly into it. To access the Devil's Well you can climb down a somewhat steep cliff at N43 36.715 W080 08.427 15m. west of the rim. Hands required, but my mother did this at 72 and my daughter at age 4. Once at the bottom head left(east)and scramble through a cavelike crevice directly into the Devil’s Well.
Rockwood has a unique geological history that has left it with glacial bluffs, potholes and caves. The glacial bluffs were formed during the last ice age, 11,000 to 16,000 years ago and are up to 30m. high.
The conservation area has hundreds of potholes that vary in size and diameter. They are holes drilled into the limestone bedrock by the action of the glacial meltwater from the Wisconsin glacier and hard debris like granite pebbles or boulders that were caught in eddies in rapidly flowing meltwater. The largest pothole is known as “The Devil’s Well”. At 7m. in diameter and over 15m. high it is reportedly the largest intact pothole in the world. It’s name has been around for decades and is in all likelihood derived by the early settler’s to keep children from playing in the area.
The cave system is one of the most extensive ones in Ontario and includes stalactites, columns and flowstone. The conservation area has a network of 12 caves.
Be sure to hide the container back carefully to keep the numeruous Muggles confused.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n ubyr orgjrra guerr ynetr ebpxf pbirerq ol fznyy prqnef.