"Devils Courthouse"

Placed: 12 June 2001

Background:

I often hike the Whiteside Mountain Trail while visiting friends and family in the Highlands/Cashiers area. I learned about the trail to Devils Courthouse several years ago when I inquired with some hikers that had emerged from the woods near where I was standing at the eastern vista point. After that day, I've always included the spur trail in my trek to the summit, because there is more solitude than on the heavily impacted loop trail and the views are more panoramic.

Description:

Tupperware Container approximately 7" x 9"

Degree of Difficulty: (4)

There is no special equipment required. However, you should be in good shape and not be afraid of heights. It's as far down to Devils Courthouse as it is up from the parking lot to the eastern vista point - only much steeper. The trails are not marked and there are several paths that will take you to places you'd rather not go. On top of Devils Courthouse there is a large area of exposed rock. This is a popular spot so I took some precautions to locate the stash where it would not easily be stumbled (!) upon.

Obligatory list of potential dangers: exhaustion, wildlife encounters, loose footing, and falling to your death.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude: N 35.0885° (35° 05.310')

Longitude: W 83.1342° (83° 08.054')

Hint:

To improve your chances of success I will give you two hints that you may choose to distribute among those in your team. One hint is given below, the other is encrypted on the description page at geocaching.com.

If you are standing at the line of brush near the designated coordinates, you should be able to see the stash, located in a little tunnel created by a patch of moss that has grown over a crevice in the rock. Try to remove the container without disturbing the delicate moss.