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Post by SSO JOAT on Aug 13, 2008 8:16:26 GMT -9
I'd like to seek more of the Valdez caches, but I can't seem to locate some of the trails to even get to the cache areas. Take for instance, GCWX5P "Creepy Crawly" which is supposedly accessed from Blueberry Hill. I drive out that road and I see nothing but houses and private property. No sign of any trail system leading toward the ocean from here. In fact, I can't see how to get to the handful of caches on that hill as it seems to be a gauntlet of private property circling the area from Blueberry Hill all the way around to the Ferry Terminal. Can anyone help locate some access points?
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Post by ladybugkids on Aug 13, 2008 17:26:45 GMT -9
There are two ways there...and it took me two or three visits to find them!
1. Drive out Blueberry Hill road and park in the wide spot on the right (going uphill) just below the subdivision sign. Cross the road and go downhill just a bit and you'll see a trail heading north into the woods. It's a nice little walk through the big trees with just a little water running down the middle of the trail near the beginning.
2. While driving west toward blueberry hill, watch for the dirt road that takes off to the south just east of the wellhouse (right where Egan Drive has a slight doglog). There is a new gate across that road, but you can walk around it and walk up the road to the hairpin turn. At the hairpin turn, look for the small trail through the brush that goes along a small ridge. Don't drop into the gulley or go up the bigger hillside to the left (as you are standing with the road to your back).
To access caches on the south side of Blueberry Hill above the ferry terminal, park at the corner SE of Clifton and Hazelett. You'll see a dirt road taking off up the hill on the opposite side of Hazelett. Start hiking up that and follow your arrow to at least two caches, but don't forget to look up for the great views.
For beach access for the wonderful crescent black sand (well, pebble) beach and a cache that I don't remember the name of, go to the end of the cul de sac in Blueberry Hill subdivision. Exiting from the SE quantrant of the cul de sac is a trail that heads downhill through the woods. Take the right-hand fork to go to the beach. The left-hand fork leads to a cabin on private property.
Have fun!
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Post by SSO JOAT on Aug 13, 2008 21:32:27 GMT -9
Thank you very much! I'll see if I can find those access routes in between rain showers. I've also been looking at that trail heading up the mountain behind the H.S... only 2 finds logged there. It couldn't be *that* hard, could it?
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Aug 13, 2008 22:59:03 GMT -9
I've seen your logs in and about Valdez. I drove back in to Valdez tonight and will be here the next two days. but then gone again all next week I would be glad to show you some of those trails. Just look us up in the local telephone directory. the trail for Cliff Hanger takes off from the carpark at NE corner of the gym at VHS, but LBK has a thought for another approach. Creepy Crawley is located in a great area, full of surprises. There used to be another cache up there, but it apparently got 'ate' by a bear, so be careful. You can actually hike in from where LBK stated and hike on through and down the trail and back onto the road into Blueberry Hill just where it starts to climb at the first lefthand bend. the trail down to the beach, Ocean View (GCMYYR) is a bit tricky, but a wonderful beach awaits you when you get there. There is a private residence to the left, so just be sure to respect their privacy. have you thought about Scottish Highlands? I would like to go to that one someday, but don't want to go alone. I'm an older female and a bit spooked about bears, especially after spending so much time in Anchorage this past year or so. if you like, I'll 'grab' Miss C's TB from you and take it back to Anchorage. I can drop it in the TB drop near Anchorage Int'l. and perhaps someone will pick it up and take it overseas. I've done that with two others that needed to get overseas and it worked out well. enjoy, keep safe and have fun. StoweAK (trish & Dan)
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Post by SSO JOAT on Aug 14, 2008 0:07:24 GMT -9
Yep, I've eyeballed that Highlands listing a couple times as well as the others around T-Pass. I'm game for getting together with other cachers for a short hike.
What's the GC# for the TB drop by Anchorage airport? I'll be heading through there Tuesday and that sounds like it might be a good spot (and would give me another cache hunt in the process). I was considering dropping her in the Drum Cam by Glennallen so maybe a southbound tourist RV could pick her up. I've been in touch with the owner and they are watching this TB's journey from England to Scotland with interest, so I'd hate to drop it in a bad spot where it either sits for the winter or gets muggled. I've actually got two TB's in my bag that need to get to Europe.
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Aug 14, 2008 8:03:22 GMT -9
I'm not sure Drum Cam is large enough, especially if there is anything else already in there. There are several cache hides in Gakona (just a few miles up the road from GlennAllen, along the Tok cut off and along the Richardson), I picked up three yesterday on my way home that were close to the road and they would be large enough. But I'm thinking that near the aeroport would be good for overseas. the Anchorage TB drop (GCNN27) is probably a good one. It is at Jewel Lake & West International Aeroport Road. I had one going to Germany and one to UK that I dropped there before.
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Post by SSO JOAT on Aug 14, 2008 10:01:21 GMT -9
I like the airport idea, too. Looked it up and seems like a quick & easy stop to make on my way through. Thanks for the tips. I just got back from walking the road behind the museum annex. Very nice walk, even on a drizzly day. Had to search a bit for the time in a bottle... in between snacking on some freshly ripened blueberries. ;D There's a couple young 'uns in the eagle nest just beyond the cache. They were chatting up a storm with the parents. I tried to join in, but they wouldn't talk to me. Also went down to the ta-tas cache and paid my respects. That was a much easier find, but good thing I have waterproof boots. Does that road continue all the way to the Blueberry Hill road?
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Aug 14, 2008 10:38:59 GMT -9
the road doesn't actually hook up, but it probably comes close and you could probably bushwack or find a bear trail that would take you there. Years ago, Mr. StoweAK and myself drove all through there and were amazed at how much road was back there. I've sent you a personal message on this forum with contact information. have fun, cache on!
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Post by ladybugkids on Aug 14, 2008 11:48:17 GMT -9
Things may have changed...but I don't recommend bushwhacking west to east across Blueberry Hill (or vice-versa. I tried once several years ago and it took me at least two hours and some of the alder stands are thick enough I think I traveled 100 or more yards at least once with my feet never touching the ground. Thank goodness it was a cloudy evening because I got enough light bounce from the terminal and town to light my way because I emerged well after sundown.
One might be able to more easily go over the top to connecting to the water tank road, but even that looks like quite a thrash.
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powmia
Silver Cacher
Caches Found/Hidden xxxx/x
Posts: 208
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Post by powmia on Aug 14, 2008 22:46:36 GMT -9
Things may have changed...but I don't recommend bushwhacking west to east across Blueberry Hill (or vice-versa. I tried once several years ago and it took me at least two hours and some of the alder stands are thick enough I think I traveled 100 or more yards at least once with my feet never touching the ground. Thank goodness it was a cloudy evening because I got enough light bounce from the terminal and town to light my way because I emerged well after sundown. One might be able to more easily go over the top to connecting to the water tank road, but even that looks like quite a thrash. I believe there was a cache atop that hill once. You, cavscout, and myself were the only finders (I'm not sure on that either) before it was relocated somewhere back down on the access road in an area that did not require alder repelling to get back down the hill. When I found the cache there was not much left of the can or the log. The only thing I did after that cache was hot the showers.
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Post by ladybugkids on Aug 14, 2008 23:35:21 GMT -9
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Aug 15, 2008 8:47:11 GMT -9
you are probably right, LBK. You know those trails and many others much better than I. The road development above the ferry terminal seems to have increased, but in looking at Google Earth, there does seem to be a lot of alder growth between the two closest points.
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