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Welcome to Snoqualmie Falls Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

Rock Rabbit: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this listing, so I must regretfully archive it.

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Hidden : 3/15/2010
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to Snoqualmie Falls! One of Washington’s many jewels.




The Cache

Depending on your luck and skills this one could be a quick grab-and-go while heading across the bridge to view the falls or it may give just enough annoyance to be enjoyable while, hopefully, not crossing the line into frustration.

It's a slightly camouflaged bison hidden partially in plain sight, at least if looking at the right angle from the right location. The biggest task will be making the find and grab among the tremendous amount of muggles that can be about during certain times and days.

I've helped you out quite a bit in this regards by placing it so that you can locate it using only your eyes while not giving away its location or even the fact that you're looking for something. It's also possible to comfortably stand loitering undetected in this spot while searching, grabbing, signing and replacing.

Snoqualmie Falls by Wikipedia

Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft (82 m) waterfall on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Fall City, Washington, USA. It is one of Washington's most popular scenic attractions, but is perhaps best known internationally for its appearance in the cult television series Twin Peaks. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the falls every year, where there is a two acre (8,000 m²) park, an observation deck, and a gift shop.

Most of the river is diverted into the power plants, but at times the river is high enough to flow across the entire precipice, which creates an almost blinding spray. High water occurs following a period of heavy rains or snow followed by warm rainy weather. This can occur during the rainy season which lasts from November through March. During high water, the falls take on a curtain form.

For the Snoqualmie People, who have lived for centuries in the Snoqualmie Valley in western Washington, Snoqualmie Falls is central to their culture, beliefs, and spirituality. A traditional burial site, to the Snoqualmie, the falls are "the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer" and "where prayers were carried up to the Creator by great mists that rise from the powerful flow." The mists rising from the base of the waterfall are said to serve to connect Heaven and Earth.

The falls were first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as a traditional cultural property for its association with the beliefs of the Snoqualmie people. However, the property owner, Puget Sound Energy, objected to the listing. The falls were subsequently determined eligible for listing in the National Register. The owners rescinded their objection and on September 2, 2009, the falls were formally listed in the National Register.

Power Plants There are two hydroelectric power plants at Snoqualmie Falls, both currently operated by Puget Sound Energy. Power plant 1 was built in 1898 and operates at the base of the falls embedded in the rock 270 feet (82 m) below the surface. It was the world's first completely underground power plant. Power plant 2 was built in 1910 and further expanded in 1957, and is located a short distance downstream of the falls. Approximately 1% of Puget Sound Energy sales comes from the plant. These two power plants provide 41,990 kilowatts of electricity, which is enough to service 16,000 average homes. The 1898 generating system was designated an ASCE Civil Engineering Landmark in 1981.

The town of Snoqualmie Falls The town of Snoqualmie Falls was located near the waterfall. It was associated with the Weyerhaeuser mill there. It had many structures including a hospital, school, community center, and many homes. When the town disbanded, many houses were moved to the nearby town of Snoqualmie.

The Salish Lodge & Spa The historic Salish Lodge & Spa overlooks Snoqualmie Falls. The original building on the site was erected in 1919. For 70 years, a small inn known as the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge catered to travelers to the falls with comfort foods. Generations of Puget-Sound area residents took family outings to the Lodge to enjoy the scenic view, country hospitality, and famous specialty breakfasts.

In July 1986, the real estate subsidiary of Puget Sound Energy (which owned the land) terminated the lodge's lease as part of a major redevelopment project in conjunction with Salish Resorts. The 1919 lodge structure was completely remodeled and reopened in 1988 as the 89-room Salish Lodge & Spa. The fireplace is the only remaining part of the original structure. The dining room continues to be recommended worldwide for its lodging, spa, and multi-course country breakfast.

In Twin Peaks, the building stands in for exterior shots of the Great Northern Hotel.

Hiking The top of the waterfall is less than 100 yards (91 m) from the parking lot, which has a gift shop, espresso stand, and bathrooms. The main views are from the side of the falls, with a fence separating visitors from the edge of a cliff.

This area has picnic tables and benches, and a small grassy meadow called the Centennial Green, where weddings are performed through the summer. Here, the river trail winds half a mile down hill; it's a steep hike climbing 300 vertical feet coming back up.

Hikers are treated to a piece of temperate rain forest on the way down, with a few moss covered trees, giant ferns, and a few places to step off the trail and rest, or enjoy the scenery. Heavy foot traffic makes it pretty unlikely to see any wildlife; this is mainly a scenic (or historic) hike. The park does not allow pets.

At the bottom of the trail is the 1910 powerhouse, closed off behind fences, and the river itself. Visitors can leave the boardwalk and hop from stone to stone in good weather to see the massive waterfall from below, but caution is advised: the river has flooded the boardwalk before.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Nudge] Nffbpvngrq jvgu zna-znqr engure gura angheny bowrpg [Hint (sentence backwards)] upnre frevhdre [Spoiler (sentence backwards)] upnre utvu tanuerib sbbe ryggvy erqah qan qar av rtqveo tavpns aruj rqvf gutve

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)