Take a Hike! Castambul, South Australia, Australia
By redRONSO on 26-Sep-15. Waypoint GC644YD

First find on a bike ride that taught me that I hate Stone Hut road! Took some finding, good camo.

A beautiful afternoon with some free time on my hands so I decided to go for a hike in the Adelaide Hills.

I selected a group of three caches all with relatively close proximity.

I parked on Bachelor Road, strapped on my hiking boots, grabbed my backpack with some snacks and water and I headed off on foot.

Lots of ups and downs (mainly ups!). With beautiful sunshine it was glorious weather for a hike.

Cache found after almost sitting right on top of it. A well crafted hide.

Shortly after leaving GZ I spotted an Echidna scrounging around for food. Only the second time I have see an echidna in the wild (alive that is).

A favourite point from me.

Thanks for the cache redRONSO.
# # #11041 # #

Found with gridge98 whilst in the area doing some caching apologies for the late log. Thanks for the cache

Will a few hours spare today we decided to head back to the area where we were only a few weeks ago for a long hike but do the rest of the caches in the park to clean it up.
There were some very steep hills to walk up that got the calves burning and the heart pumping only wishing we had bought water for the walk.

Arrived at this location and the cache camo was quickly spotted, a nicely hidden cache here, cache and contents are all good

TFTC

Decided to take a hike and check on our cache.
The cache container was a little damp inside, so we dried it out. The camouflage is doing well. Dropped a TB, and noted the last TB was not logged out, so we will need to chase that up with a previous finder.

Did not find

Came to this area expecting two caches; this one (Take a Hike!) and Castambul Kingdom. Parked on Batchelor Road and followed the Mawson Trail sign. A friendly Collie (Milo) from a Batchelor Road property stayed with us for the entire walk up but left us on the walk down when his owner came looking for him!
While at GZ we saw a koala scoot up a tree in order to get away from Milo. Milo also scared a lamb and its mum which seemed to cause the lamb great distress. Both baby and mum were seen later in the day and were fine!
This cache is well worth the favourite points awarded, and we add another.

As a side note, we didn't get to Castambul Kingdom as there didn't seem to be a way to get there without going on private property. Views from the Mawson Trail were spectacular though!

TFTC redRONSO.

This evening with looming COVID-19 lockdown impacts growing closer every day, I was still determined to head out for some fitness whilst we still had the freedoms. Hence, the plan tonight was taking my mountain bike and checking out some of the trails and Mawson Trail around the edge of Montacute Conservation Park. I parked on Batchelor Road at the junction where it was signed for only authorised vehicles were permitted with gates erected. I'm not sure if taking the MTB was the best decision in hindsight, as the fire tracks had some really steep hills, that I think 30-40% of the time, I was off my MTB and walking the bike up the hills. Many, if not all of the geocaches along the way hadn't been found in quite some time (months to years!), which also decreased any risk of COVID-19 transmission. There were some nice views of the dam and valleys around the place, and a few kangaroos were spotted, as well as chasing a family of mountain goats down the hill at one point.

I continued my ride up up up and down these hills, and had a rest here placing my bike just next to the track. This cache had me searching for a good 10 min looking in various obvious spots and underneath the bush babies. I read past logs, and kept having an inkling what it may be, but couldn't put my finger on it. I tried one strategy, and sure enough, the cache was found well hidden. That was very nice construction, and excellently blends in. The cache container and logbook were in good shape. Thanks redRONSO for the cache placement and ongoing maintenance. Favourite Point from me!

With a day of cooler weather, it was a good day to take a hike!
It was the first time we'd headed in this direction at the top of the hill. We'd usually head towards Fox Creek and Mount Misery, but the lure of a couple of unfound caches saw us going turning left! Got some great views of Kangaroo Creek on the way and a different view of the extension of the dam wall. Looking around GZ there appeared to be so many possible hiding spots, but then one feature stood out and sure enough, the cache revealed itself. A cleverly crafted hide. Picked up the trackable, as this spot doesn't get too many visits.

Decided it was a good afternoon to “take a hike” from the designated parking coordinates, to do a spring maintenance check on our cache. Was also good to test our fitness.

Cache is still in fairly good condition. Container and contents are dry, after a wet winter.

Dropped 1x TB.

Out and about with Malco!. I needed to do a catchup hike and knew Mal would be up for it. Convinced the GeoWife to come along on what was not a pleasant day. Rained most of the time. Windy most of the time. Cold most of the time. Down hill most of the time. Missed all the views due to fog. Apart from all that, a great day. With Malco's GPS not being accurate all day, luck it was on this cache. Thanks

Awesome hide!

With the overcast conditions, rain, wind and whatever else, the sat loc was a little vague.

Eventually, we got down to the distance saying 0m. Must be close now. Csaba! gave it a tap and there it was. So cool. FP from me.

Thanks for the cache, redRONSO

Came up for a maintenance visit after receiving a message from the previous cacher. We were pulled up by the local farmer wondering what we were up to, as he has had some trouble with thief in the area lately. After explaining we were geocaching and showing where our cache was, he was happy with our honesty. He went on to say that the number of bike riders and hikers using this section of the Mawson Trial has declined greatly since construction works began on the Kangaroo Creek Reservoir.

Please note: If you choose to approach the cache via Batchelor Rd, please park at the bottom of Stone Hut Road. This s a private road which prohibits the access of public veichles. However, Stone Hut Road is part of the Mawson Trail, so you can ride you bike or hike along the track.

Found it on my second attempt excellent camouflage but needs some maintenance. Is still a great find thankyou.
Tb taken

A nice day to "Take a Hike" or a Sunday drive :cP Thought we would check on the access and condition of this cache as it has been some time since it was last found. Lots of kangaroos around today, enjoying the green grass. All is as it should be, contents are dry and TB still in cache. Signs are still up for the Mawson Trail, so walking and riding this track is still available to our knowledge.

Such a nice afternoon to take a hike and check on our cache! Being a public holiday, it was an ideal time to visit, as there were no site contractors working on the reservoir. Cache is container and contents still in good condition after the recent weather events. Dropped 'Adventure-Caching' TB.

NOTE: Although there are signs stating 'No Through Road', Stone Hut Road is still a public access track for walking and riding the Mawson Trail. We still advise to anyone seeking this cache via Stone Hut Road to proceed with caution, as there may be heavy vehicle activity as works continue on Kangaroo Creek Reservoir.

Came for a look at the dam works and found a cache too.
On the way down the hill we got chatted about why we were on Stone Hut Rd by a contractor dude. Turns out the road is off limits to rubberneckers! See my pic which shows an additional sign that is not in one of RedRonso's pics. Seems like this will have to be a much longer walk for future finders...
BTW... a great hide worthy of a fav point. The view is cool too!
TNLNSL
Thanks

Now that the Kangaroo Creek Dam Upgrade is underway, we thought it would be a good time to check out the area. It seems a lot has changed in the last few months! Glad to say access is still avaliable to our geocache via the Mawson Trail. The contractors have upgraded the Stone Hut track for better access to the Water SA site… it is almost a highway compared to our last visit!!

Being Sunday… no muggles were seen… so whilst the upgrade works are taking place, we would recommend attempting this geocache on a weekend. It may be busy here during the week, so if you are thinking of attempting this geocache on a weekday, please be careful and mindful of contractors and vehicles using the Stone Hut track… in this case, approaching from the Valley Road parking coordinates may be the safer option.

Our last cache of a trip down the Mawson Trail.
Well worth a favorite.

It was a lovely autumn day yesterday and we thought we would take a hike and were wondering where we would go when we saw this one still unfound. Off we went for a lovely stroll. The access road has changed a lot since Mr TiedyeSmileys first came up here in the middle of the night 7 years ago after solving a Zytheran puzzle that still had FTF up for grabs (a successful FTF then too : ) Back then it was just a small dirt road, not the major highway it is today going to the dam.
Said hello to the alpacas and koalas along the way, then arrived at GZ. As we were only using our phones, GZ was a bit broad. Mr Tiedyesmileys picked a spot and said the cache is somewhere here and spread his arms out wide. He then checked something and that very first thing was the cache hider. Wow, impressed with the quick find especially considering the quality of the cache cammo, excellent job there. We were most impressed and well worth a fav point. Left TB.
Then on up the hill to another unfound cache.

TFTC

A muggle mate, who red works with, wanted to check out our first geocache hide... and show his two young kids what the game is all about :c) It was a nice day to take a hike... not too hot and a nice slight cool breeze. Cache is still in position and waiting for the next cacher to discover ;c) Added some swag. Retrieved the TB that was placed by RTGW and dropped off a TB visiting from Canada!

This one's been bugging me ever since I was too busy to come out for the FTF fun.
Finally managed to find the time for the hike today and was rewarded with a well made cache, a nice container and the best cardio workout I've had for a while.
Thanks for the cache redRONSO

The most adventurous cache we have done so far and in idilic surroundings. Thank you redRONSO for a great experience.

Decided to "take a hike" this morning and enjoy the views. It was just on dark when we placed this cache, so wanted to check on it in the daylight and take some more photos. The breeze made it a pleasant hike, keeping the heat down a little. Spotted a shingleback lizard along the track and saw two kangaroos grazing nearby the cache.

Took a hike after work and worked up a sweat. Great views from the top when I got there. I know this place. I have been in the area before.
There was a flock of feral sheep near GZ. They all had about three or four years wool on their backs. The sound of their dags rattling as they ran away was most amusing.
A few nice skippys on the hills too.
Thanks for a great cache. Love your work.

A joint FTF with Ride the Geo Walrus, Alex-thesquirrel and Jambochicken. We pulled up with no phone reception and didn't come back into range until we were part way up the hill. An enjoyable walk was topped off by a fantastic cache camouflage.
Thanks for the cache redRONSO, a definite favourite

A joint first to find with the puzzle solving crew just before 9:20 pm, consisting of Alex-thesquirrel, bek-the raccoon, jambo chicken and myself.

I had a family engagement earlier in the evening that I couldn't get out of but just as I was leaving for home I got a message that the crew were going to attempt an FTF on this one. Knowing that the cache owners are frequently one of my main competitors these days for first prizes meant one less in the race. The air was cool and clear which meant a nice hike up and some spectacular views of the city in the distance, particularly at GZ.

The cache itself was very cleverly put together and warrants a favourite point alone, combined with the view makes for a fantastic cache. Took FTF trackable and replaced with another, and TFTC redRONSO!

F2F at 2119. What an awesome hike. Awesome views of the moon rising through the trees. Awesome company with some members of the puzzle solving crew and an awesome hide when we reached the GZ. TFTC redRONSO. A FP from me

Woo hoo! Joint FTF. Got the notification around 4pm, managed to gather a few of the group together for an impromptu night hike. Well worth the effort. TFTC

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