Higgins Hidden Valley #3: Bluegum Forest Westleigh, New South Wales, Australia
By Yurt on 13-Aug-10. Waypoint GC2B8K1

Archiving as I am not happy with the new location and I can't find anything in the area. As this is part of a series I need the clues that were in the cache (which I can't find) and the notes section on the cache page has disappeared so I'm not sure how I can get them without the help of a previous finder. I plan on replacing this cache but I will use the location of the nearby cache that is not part of the series once I can find the clues for the final and place them in the new cache. Sorry to all who have been waiting on this one. I just don't have the time for geocaching any more. I have adopted out most of my caches but still hold a few bush ones that shouldn't require this much work.

Coordinates changed from:S 33 42.623 E 151 4.432Coordinates changed to:S 33 42.608 E 151 4.439Distance from original: 97.8 feet or 29.8 meters.Moved to new spot. I think this will be temporary as I will find a better spot shortly. If you are watching I'd wait for the next spot once I fix it up.

Please don't archive. If I don't complete this over the weekend, feel free.

Visited to move cache but wet weather has caused issues. Doing some maintenance on the cache in preparation for the move.

Owing to endless rain lately I haven't been able to get in to move this cache. Stay tuned.

Didn't really feel like sticking around too long searching. Realised after i was at gz that access is prohibited now.

Due to changes around GZ I am disabling this cache. I rarely cache these days but would like to keep this series going. I am unable to do much in a the coming weeks but will look to move this cache somewhere close by and not in an inaccessible spot.

There is no track, so the hint no longer applies. This gully is full of very thick ferns and vines and full on bush bash. When the leeches attacked, I left, sorry but there could have been a thousand places this could be hidden, under so much leaf litter, vines and ferns. This really wasn't a pleasant experience.

Beautiful spot! No leeches, thank you Aerogard. Found the tiny track and the sign coming back out - oops, sorry.Didn't see any signature after Nov2021. SL, Replaced as foundTFTC Yurt.

Nope. I followed the path and actually didn’t see the signs. But I didn’t find it. I spent a lot of time then felt bad when I came across the proper path and saw the signs. It probably needs to be archived or moved

Tftc

Lots of leeches!

Only found leeches. Probably overgrown with ferns

Hmm must have missed the sign... To much Bush bashing required though. Should be moved...

Logbook was quite damp but good enough to imprint albeit pen in cache is dead. On a hot day, great place from the wind and heat. Thanks for the great cache. One of our favourite dog walks too.

This is a great series, I've enjoyed all the finds so far. Each one with something a little special near by.

I can confirm for those concerned that it is possible to reach the cache without passing any fences if you head in down a goat trail from the nearby mountain bike tracks.

I made the mistake of vbisiting with my daughter after rain. The valley flaw was crawling weith leeches. My 2yo kept stopping to point them out not realising that each time she stopped a multitude of unseen leeches would spring into action. We managed to visit and leave without a single sucker latching on, though. I must have removed somewhere between 1 and 2 dozen from our socks and shoes before they got attached though. Don't my story of our leechpocalyse deter you from visiting this great series.

This geocacher reported that there is a problem with this cache.

I was out today completing the AL in the area.
I was going to collect this one, but it is no longer accessible.
The track that was there to go down has now been blocked by a fence with No Access signs and notice of $300,000 finds for using illegal tracks.
It looks like this cache can no longer be found.
Can the CO please go and do a check?

We were drawn here by the nearby Adventure Lab cache. Although it was very tempting we opted to NOT cross into the restricted area where the cache is hidden. Although this is not a national park, it seems that some of the agreed guidelines for how to hide a cache in a national park could apply. It seems like there are some places along the track that could serve as a hiding place. Cheers... Gaztek

Heading down the track was interested that this is a biobank site. So given my work I felt a little guilty climbing through the fence - they really don’t want anyone down there. At GZ the hint made this a very quick find. Signed and returned as found - made certain no one saw me return to the track. Had a Rufous Fantail on the return trek.
TFTC Yurt

The wires were put up to stop mountain bikes going along the track. It's still walkable but probably better from the other end. There's nothing 'illegal' about a walking track, but mountain bike tracks often cross this line. I'd look at another spot but there aren't many feasible around there.

Found the little track at the yellow sewer, but didn't go down as it has a fence in front of it saying 'No access. Illegal trail closures.' The cache probably needs to be moved to another location.

This geocacher reported that there is a problem with this cache.

Couldn't go looking for it as the path is no longer assessable. See picture

Today we headed up to Thornleigh to visit an EarthCache for International EarthCache Day and to do the new Adventure Lab in the same location. Also collected a previously solved puzzle cache and revisited a couple of DNF’s from way back in 2016, then finished the day with a couple of Traditional caches at Turramurra. This was the 10th of 12 finds for the day.

Stopped off at this one after completing the nearby Adventure Lab. It has been nearly 4 years since I DNFed this one, and we were keen to turn the sad blue face to a happy yellow one on our geomap.

Arrived at GZ, after ignoring the rather threatening "track closure" signs, and it was strangely a different GZ than I had searched on my previously visit. Seems the GPSr was having trouble last time, with the "other" GZ some 20 metres away, but this time it took us straight to the hide for a nice quick find. TNLNSL, noted the clue info, and then replaced as found.

The massive Bluegums down here in this forest are truly magnificent and are worth the visit alone. TFTC Yurt.

Find #4064

TFTC - log is pretty wet, could use a change.

Cool spot

Log was too wet to write ion and for once didn’t have extra paper. Tftc

A great little find, unfortunately the log was too damp to sign. TFTC

Ive been down this way before on the hunt for another cache in the area.
Its a beautiful area.
I was able to make an easy find at the GZ however i was a little hesitant about going for this one.
A fence has been put up blocking the way to the cache in order to promote bush regeneration.
It may be a good idea to relocate the cache to a spot that isn’t fenced off.
The container is in good condition and while the log is slightly damp from condensation it is still good.
Thanks.
#1103

Another cache found in this beautiful place. TFTC

Thanx for this cache in a wonderful valley of gums and ferns.

Out this way doing an Adventure Lab with teamMerlin in the area this was a nice stop off for a quick find

With cache in hand we signed the log and replaced as found. Both the cache and log are in good condition. Thanks for bringing me to the area and thanks for placing the cache

The following TBs visited for the distance - Hawkesbury Tiger, 2011- 2019 NSW geocoins, Area 51 Tag, Cache In Trash Out Geocoin, Cache In Trash Out Tag, CITO Micro Geocoin, dirty Black Juke, Four Elements Geocoin, Mary Hyde's compass, Optical Illusion Geocoin, Spindoc Bob Memorial Geocoin, Trackable Building Brick, Wales Flag, Wheel of Caching Geocoin

Out for a cache run with phlphotos today and we stopped off for this one whilst we were completing the nearby Adventure Lab. A quick find was made at GZ, although technically the small track is now off limits. With the cache in hand we signed the log before replacing as found. Both the log and cache container are in good condition. Thanks for the cache Yurt.

The following TBs came through for the mileage : Bob geoMinion, Dave geoMinion, Evil geoMinion, Jerry geoMinion, Larry geoMinion, Mary Hyde's Treasure, Stuart geoMinion, teamMerlin's 7 Deadly Ducks Tag (Lust), Vanlith The Youngling, Hidden Creatures Geocoin TB, teamMerlin's Football, Muffin The Dog, MMM

Great spot. Thanks!
IP

We were on the track chasing a lab adventure and decided to search for this cache on the way. However, I was put off by the very clear warning not to go down the smaller track so will seek some advice before continuing with this one. I think as Geocachers we should not disobey such warnings which are intended to protect the bush. Terrific walk out here though, so I will be back for the other Higgins Hidden Valley caches at least.

TFTC Thank you for hiding this cache. You have shown us a new place and have helped make geocaching an enjoyable activity. Great hint.

TFTC! Nice area.

Over theses last few months I've done more long walks with a single cache at the end, its nice for geodog who is rapidly expanding. We've been to some great spots.

Today I thought I'd try this track.
Well fancy that, when I arrived at a parking spot I realised this was one of the walks I used to do when I lived in the Hornsby Shire. So I've been here before but not for caching.

I followed the track downhill until I reached the off-track I'd previously walked on. Hmm, not a real track at all......no muggles in sight so I slipped through the barrier and followed the directions in the hint.

It wasn't long before.....I had a leech on my shoe.
Luckily I was carrying a TOTT for poking for caches and it worked really well for flicking the leech away. Soon after that I found the cache, signed the log, keeping an eye out for more blood suckers then hurried back before any muggles came by and found me on the illegal trail.

TFTC # 4016

OCW Oldmorty and for the second time in a row we have picked an inclement weather day. Didn't stop us heading to Westleigh with a hit list.

Whilst doing the new AL cache in this bushland, we detoured for this one. Had us stumped for a bit until Oldmorty got down, dirty and wet. TFTC!

OCW morty8888 on a miserable winters day. After closely following the hint it was soon CIH which we found in good condition. Lovely Bluegum forest here. TFTC Yurt.

I forgot about the previous log and was wondering why it would be impossible to get to the cache - please explain in logs. Walking through today I saw why. The access track from the main track has been fenced off and the track labelled 'illegal' which is a stretch. They have fenced off both ends largely to stop damage by mountain bikers, some of whom love nothing better than ripping up the bush. You could still access the track to the cache without causing any real harm to anything but I guess I'll have to look for a nearby hiding spot. Knowing me though I'll take forever to get around to it. Still a great bit of bush.

Not possible to get to cache

Not possible to get to cache

Found it easily after a pleasant walk along the track.

TFTC

TFTC. good holiday fun and beautiful location. Found with Stubby holder

A beautiful spot.
Trackable left.
TFTC

Found myself here on a beautiful sunny winters day, and what a lovely spot to visit! I am not sure why we didn’t collect this when we were counting the “Warrigal Wood” for 10000 Steps, but that’s the way it is sometimes.

TFTC

Thanks to some earlier trackers I followed there led only to get lost but found it a bit further down tftc

#7778 13:55
Today I wanted to do some geocaching in nature AND bring the geo-dog. Usually that is quite difficult as many nature areas, such as National Parks are off limits for dogs. Luckily this area around Westleigh is dog friendly.

I was close to the end of the trail, and about to leave the valley. But first there was this cache to find on a little side track. My GPS was spinning around, but geo-intuition came to the rescue and the cache was found.

TFTC

Despite the still damp conditions, we thought we'd attempt the couple down the track from the RFS as I needed a calendar find today.

The phone struggled under the canopy but a slight geo-trail helped us to locate GZ.

It's a beautiful spot, thanks Yurt.

Great location, and a nice hide. Couldn't see the trackable in here though. TFTC.

Got all 3 hints now. Will get the final one soon

Lol this was a quick walk but in that time both my wife and eldest daughter got a leech

Youngest kid was brave and while the other two ran back to the car we made the find. TNLN TFTC

Previously logged a "Found". Writing note to log TB Visit

What a lovely lovely spot. I could do without the mozzies and leeches but you gotta take the good with the bad. Tb dropped. Found with lyn999. SL tftc!

Found with Bigswifty1! Beautiful

Found on a beautiful morning walk through a new section of bushland to me. TFTC!!!

The 2nd cache of the day was a little more difficult. The walk down was pretty nice although the weather not great. Following the hints helped to find the location pretty easy and cache was in our hands pretty quickly.

It's always good to see a nice size container when you are out with geokid

Dr. Gold
#578

Impossible to find! Map keeps sending us away from the spot! Lots of bushes...;-(

It is such a mess here and the navigation is bad

Keep looking under things. Ignore the two tires. TFTC

Found with sprucas and the troops on a grey day. Had to use the hint to find, but on a good pathjust keep walking til you find the right branch . The track from Westleigh is a gym session on the way back!

Such a serene spot

TFTC

This one took us a while to find. Our GPS had us walking around in circles close to the cache. In the end we were able to find the well concealed cache. SL. TNLN, TFTC.

Located at 9:15am. Excellent location. GPS has me wandering but the geosenses took over and soon enough I had CIH. Cheers Yurt. Спасибо! תודה! L’chaim! TFTC!

#100
The second of three finds in Westleigh today and our 100th find so far!! Geogirl #2 made the find. A lovely hiding spot! TFTC!

Another one ticked off in this exciting series.

I found getting to this GZ much easier than the Rick hopping at the previous one.

It’s beautiful bushland !

Picked up TB

Clue note, TFTC

I took Mum for a walk into this beautiful forest but I don't think she liked all the steps. I took the side trail to find this cache. I did need the clue. I hope we come back for more soon. Thanks!

More brilliant scenery and a well hidden cache , a little shy of cords but hint very useful thanks Yurt
Dropped TB 7FTQH

Tftc, second our geocaching morning. Headed down after the most beautiful bushland. Hint led us straight to it. Went to follow a path out but it is disappeared into the bush so we double back to the main track.

2nd of the morning bush walk with MrSmith00. The hint was particularly helpful and directed us straight to it.

#2 of sequence found - hint makes it easy

Accompanied with ozuk, loved this area so beautiful - enjoyed wander this area. Finally found the cache after read the hint. Signed the log and code. Thanks Yurt for organising the hide the cache and hunt.

Great piece of bushland. Signed the log with Everlasting. Thanks for bringing us here.

What an unbelievably beautiful area! Thanks for showing me. So amazing! TFTC.

This one took as a while, as the GPS was being uncooperative, but we found it eventually using the hint. Looking forward to finding the secret. TFTC.

Nice one!

If it weren't for the hint I'm not sure I would have found this one. The area really is quite pretty and I enjoyed the walk along the valley. Was less keen on the leeches that started crawling towards me as I sat down to sign the log. Thanks

Bit mentally unstable at the moment so thought so local cacheing was due. Quick find even though I missed the track junctions. Nice to see some work on the lantana hopefully has the funding to keep going. Tftc tnln

Stopped off on my way back home, after visiting the Amateur Radio NSW (HAM Radio) bi-monthly Trash & Treasure sale at Quarry Road Dural, to have a look at this one.

After finding "This is Sydney's most beautiful bushland" I continued following the network of bush tracks to arrive at this one. Searched around GZ for quite a while but failed to locate the cache. The GPSr had me in an area of scrub devoid of any particular feature that may hide a cache, so I widened my search but still failed to lay my hands on it.

While I was doing my search a local fellow walked by and he knew exactly what I was up to, being a fellow cacher himself but was not actually caching at the time, and we had a nice little chat about geocaching and mapping topics. After he departed I looked in a few more spots but then had to give it away for this visit. But it's a beautiful valley and I will return for another look, maybe after the next Trash & Treasure trip. TFTH anyway Yurt.

Yay! Found it this time! - the new hint helped - I had been looking at the wrong rocks last time!
TNLN TFTC

Found it after a little bit of a look,tftc

Quiet, pleasant walk. TFTC

Replaced cache. Hint updated.

Back in play.

It appears someone has stolen the ammo can and left the log book and ziplock bag with all the swag in it. Doesn't look like something a muggle would do so beware of ammo can thieves. I will replace soon but probably not with an ammo can at this time to avoid tempting the thief again.

Container is missing. Only a zip lock bag. Very whether damaged

Team Crump

After picking up an easy find just by the fire station decided to head off down this track. Found the little side track OK, but although there were a few possible looking rocks, couldn't find the cache. iPhone was all over the place, and after a good search decided to carry on down the side track and visit Sydney's most beautiful Blue Gum Forest.

Found the Most Beautiful cache with no trouble, and had another look on the way back to the top of the hill. Again failed to turn up this one.

Will be back for another look soon.

Quite tricky. Gps all over the place.

#157
Was actually planning to attempt the whole series today but got carried away with some jobs around the house and it ended up being too late. The entry to this trail was familiar from another Yurt adventure. After a DNF at Christmas legacy #2, it looked like we were destined for another fail. Turns out that the GPS reception on iPhone was very poor in this area and had us looking 20m away from GZ on the wrong side of track. Unfortunately plenty of items matching hint kept us here for too long. Finally geoWife walked off down the track further with the delightful yell of "found it". Log book a little damp and plastic bag still had a live leach inside. Returned him back to his environment, brushed a few of his relatives off my shoes and socks and continued down the trail to see some Beautiful Bushland. TFTC.

[red]#5645[/red]
I had to seek for a while here, before I could find it.
When I was at home and wanted to move my shoes out I saw very many leeches on my shoes, socks and trousers. There were 14 leeches all together. It was so disgusting.
[green]TFTC[/green], [blue]SchwesterN01[/blue]

You're not wrong. This is a really nice place. I felt like I was in Narnia. This was my first find for the day after walking around counting steps for the 10,000 steps multi-cache. Pretty easy find. TFTC!

After giving up finding #1 as I was approaching from the wrong way, I didn't expect to find another one of these until my next visit to the area. Glad I finally found the track entrance near the fire station.
Didn't see the geocoin though.
Thanks for the cache.

Started back to front on the walk, collecting this one first. Parking next to the fire station and made my way down.
Took some time until I found the right one as per the hint, and was pleasantly surprised at the container hidden here, thanks Yurt. Photo taken of the hint

Leech territory!

In late 2013 we found the first two of this fascinating series. The others were left till another day... which ended up being today.

After reading asbestiform's log, our experience here was a bit of a deja vu experience:
- We clambered down the steps, which were initially seemingly never-ending
- We discovered the side path and headed down
- The GPSr was jumpy and couldn't get a fix - there seemed to be possible geozones everywhere that matched the criteria
- After a while geomum uncovered the cache in the correct geozone
- Shortly after calling over the crew, who DID join her, the ants were discovered.. only after both geodad AND I had been bitten
- Just as I was examining my ant bite a saw a leech flicking about on my sock
- After signing on the track we did a little acrobatics with rock jumping to replace the cache

It seems the ants have remembered their traumatic experience with asbestiform and will continue to haunt the area until their needs are satisfied.

Thanks Yurt for taking us to this great area, not so much for the ants..

Lots of stairs down to GZ but worth the walk

NazzoR

What a nice spot for an afternoon walk. We parked at Warrigal then down the steps with a few caches and some exercise in mind. The side track found without too many dramas. At GZ a few options turned up as the GPSr had some trouble holding steady, funny but all of these had a narrow trail leading to them; indications of past visits. Eventually the right little trail was chosen that turned up trumps. This spot though teaming with quite angry jumping jacks (ie aggressive bullants). Angry because I put my foot right on the nest. I quickly backed off then saw a large leech flicking its way towards me. Called out that I had found it but with the leech and ant news seemed I would have to retrieve this one. Jumped on the rock and grabbed the container then back to the track to do the signing duties. Ants by this stage had worked out where we were and a group decided to join us....but by this time we had signed and returned everything where we found it. They, and their hungry friend, await the next visitor. Thanks Yurt. A nice spot.

Several hours later took sock off to reveal something had joined us for the rest of the trip. Archie is probably around the house somewhere.

This entry was edited by asbestiform on Friday, 28 November 2014 at 07:31:40 UTC.

Searched for a ages before i realised that i needed to be on the other side of track - easy find after that correction. No bullants in sight. took gc and left some little toys. heading off to the "beautiful bushland" next. will attempt the rest of series soon.
Thanks Yurt.