**Updated 12/29/2006 This cache has been moved to the coords list
above due to cache container being removed??? twice since I adopted
this cache. the origal coords are N 37° 34.839 W 079° 28.378. Iput
these in because there is such a great view from this location.
Journey into the heart of Devils Marble Yard. This is one of my
favorite places to hike to and climb rocks. Hiking shoes are
recommended but not necessary. A 1.2 mile hike up a rocky trail
that only gets worse (or more fun) before you find the cache. Enter
the Belfast trailhead (37' 34.271N 79' 29.503W)on Petites Gap Road
and follow the Belfast trail. Good luck...
Cache contains:
- Wood Carving by HammerHead
- Emergency Poncho
- Emergency Blanket
- Log Book
- Pen
- GeoCaching window sticker
- Match stick holder
Note added 4/21/08: I have been
hiking this trail and bouldering here for over half my life and at
the board at the trail head used to be the folk story of how
Devil's Marbleyard was created. I remember the story somewhat but
anyone that has a copy, I would love to be able to post it
here.
After many hours of searching I have found a version of the
story, that many years ago, was posted on the bulletin board at the
beginning of the trail. Between my memories and what I have found
this is it.
The story goes that it was once a secret place of worship to a
peaceful Native American tribe who lived in the valley. It was a
beautiful and fertile place with a large stone altar where the
people would worship on full-moon nights. One day, two strangers
appeared. The Native Americans welcomed the man and woman and
because of their difference to the natives they were seen as
spirits. The outsiders explained to the people they believed in a
higher power and converted the natives. That summer they suffered a
terrible drought and famine spread throughout the valley. The
natives blamed the outsiders and their god for their misfortune.
They took the outsiders to the altar and burned them alive. This
enraged the gods and as the flames rose higher, a huge storm
engulfed the sky. Lightning burst from the clouds shattering the
altar, covering the mountainside into what is now known as "The
Devil's Marbleyard"