Top of the Wheat Tram Traditional Geocache
Geocaching HQ Admin: Archived at the request of nearby property owner.
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At the "breaks" of the Waterville Plateau, where the wheat fields end and the terrain drops down to the Columbia River. Elevation: 3,075 ft.
If you have been to the Rocky Reach Dam visitor center and exhibits you probably saw the diorama and display on the history of the Waterville Wheat Tramway. Before there was any railroad or other means to get crops to market and needed supplies up to the Waterville area, a tramway was erected that ran from the top of the plateau to the river where the sacks of wheat were unloaded and coal and other supplies were sent up to the top. This cache will take you to the TOP of the tram. All that remains is a concrete foundation with anchor bolts to mark the spot. The real treasure is the view, so be sure to take your camera. To get to the area turn north from highway 2 at the top of Pine Canyon on Road Q. Continue north on Q and it will drop down and curve westward, becoming Road 4. Stay on Road 4 all the way westward to the end, where there is an Agri-junkyard area at N 47.40.275 W 120.09.543. Park here and walk on west along the edge of the wheat field to the cache in the sage. When you get to the cache site, be aware that a colony of ants has claimed the spot for its own and is very hostile to interlopers, no matter how big, so take the cache container away from the immediate area or find out what the old saying "Ants in your Pants" meant. Walk another 50 feet or so for a better view of where the tram ran. If you are energetic enough to hike down the hill along the tram route you can still find rusty cable, hoppers, and assorted metal parts. But be aware that the route passes over and near denning areas of the local rattlesnakes, so be careful. Looking down to the river and slightly southward is the town of Entiat, and the Entiat River Valley. Enjoy! I spent many days hiking and hunting this area.
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