Dandenong Ranges Track #2 Menzies Creek, Victoria, Australia
By Muzza on 12-Jan-03. Waypoint GCC2DC

Cache appears to have gone.

I visited this cache today and it appears to have gone, unless it's a case of severe cache creep. The bridge of death has disappeared and there has been a lot of growth since cache placement.

I will archive the cache in a week or so to free up the area for another cache. Thanks to all who found it.

I'll try to get out to check this one.

Does anyone know if this cache is still here?

Didn't find it:( Sad about this. Lack of reference points was not useful either. 2 key reference points weren't there (Meadowview lane and John Street).

We had a fabulous BBQ here, with drops of rain falling (rain - what's that?). We crossed the creek but despite extensive searching just couldn't find this one and the geokids got bored waiting! We even put the backpack down in a couple of obvious places on the ground in case Geodes' luck would be with us too! Maybe we'll find it another time. Thanks for a lovely picnic spot.

Checked this one out late today and found we needed some more equipment. The "bridge of death" looked OK but the amount of undergrowth around it made it hard to even find a way in. So hopefully we will have the right equipment soon and do this cache.

Always good to get a muzza cache though Oenze and I nearly walked away with empty hands and would have eated our disappointment all the way back to the car if a final look hadn't turned up the goods. The years have enabled this cache to blend in so well. TNLN thanks Muzza.

Find# 1855 and 5th of the day at 10:35am. Accompanied by Feathertop on another caching day in the Dandenong area. We searched and searched and even searched some more and were about to give but feathertop thought he would take one more look and found it. TNLN, Signed Log. Thanx Muzza....

Found by Bob at 1630

This one caused me a bit of grief - I'd started the day (afternoon) planning on a handful(5) of caches ending up with this and its nearby mate, but had changed plans after starting and did a few more on the way, so I was somewhat later arriving here than I'd anticipated. Everything was totally sodden after a couple of weeks heavy rain in the area, so I didn't attempt any of the 'Bridges of Death', but did a 'Leap of Death' instead - which I've now decided I'm getting too old for . I found GZ ok but, after 20-30 mins of feverish searching, could not locate the cache and I was considering packing it in (for the 3rd or 4th time ). Then, suddenly, while I was checking something in my pack (which was on the ground), I just happened to notice I was staring right at the cache! After all that recent rain, with mud, leaves and bark raining down on everything, combined with the cache camo, it had blended into its background to the point of perfection and was nearly impossible to distinguish from its surrounds even when I knew where it was! I was most relieved to be able to log it but, unfortunately, it was now getting too late to do the walk to the other one (which is the only one for miles around that I still have to do). I decided not to repeat my "Leap of Death" on the way back to the car and went for a pleasant stroll past a nice duck pond.

TNLN - didn't even take any leeches

Thanks muzza - you've sure got a knack for finding interesting spots .

Well hidden indeed. I almost gave up thinking perhaps it had ben muggled but by sticking around I found it

Found @ 09:00 with NEXT! Hard to find in all the bark, twigs, leaves etc around tree TNLNSL TFTC

09:01 was found with Scooters Mob. The bridge of Death is dying. Nimbly negotiated the alternate bridge of death. TNLNSL TFTC

The bridge of death was duly negotiated and the well-hidden cache found after first failing and briefly trying elsewhere. Took Fake fruit and left butterfly. Thanks again muzza.

Some bashing through the bush was necessary for this one. We definitely didn't take the shortest path. Fortunately the cache was clearly visible and a good size so we could put in some of the bigger swaps. The walking track is superb.

First ever experience with this activity. Looks like its going to be a lot of fun.

Conditions very dry and bridge was easy to cross. Location easily found, container well hidden.

Found this one whilst out with the Farmers 5, Mr Farmer found this one.

TNLN

Thanks Muzza

crossed the bridge of death no trouble,got to gz but trees thru gps off a bit.after 5 min search grabbed cache.took plane and ball-put in chalk and fluro pen thanks

Found at 4.25pm GAFF1. This time we had no problem with reception and we walked straight upto the cache and logged our find in no time at all. Once again the forest here is similar to the forests in Switzerland, especially the noise of the birds. Thanks Muzza. Took: Egg timer, Left: Nail clipper key ring.

Well this one was fun, had just finished 'Johns GPSr test' next nearest cache was listed as this one. so of I went following the GPS. Learning 1. GPS not always the best way to go ended up on a dead end road with private property. Learning 2. Sometime GPS doesn't know the right road. Ended up walking 1/2 km to the cache site only to find there was a road right there - bah. Did I cross the bridge of death??? you bet I did an amazing feat in itself considering there was water underneath which at most time I would have ended up in, but not this time. I needed to resort to the clue for this one GPS had had enough of being accurate. Tok Mexican coin, left egg timer. Thanks for the WALK!

Didn't have the logs to help me find it, and then it got dark.

Having a look at the photo, I think the bridge of death is no more. I certainly couldn't find it. Used the sapling of terror to cross the creek.

GPS wouldn't give me anything but 20 metres to GZ, so gave up. Will return to this place at a later date and in daylight.

weel i did not use the bridge of death, a young sapling had recently fallen over the creek so i went over that. A tree close to GZ had fallen over and the branches reached the GZ spot. Had to scracth around to find cache and finally dug it out.
thanks

Found on 30/12/2004 at 14:56

Caughtatwork parked the car and we went for a stroll, Pffft bridge of death indeed ( well it did take a second to decide if I wanted to tempt death ), hey death didnt want me today as it held up. Giving me a false sense of immortallity I walked into the blackberries of evil and quickly decided I was mortal again. Huddled together so the blackberries of evil didnt get us all I located the cache and we all did the usual with it. Replaced and carefully made way back to the bridge ( well actually only half a bridge of death compared to the bridge photo on the web page).

Thanks

TNLN

Found by caughtatwork at 3:00
Uncle Jiffy, G, J and I were out for a nice day caching a long way from home.
We came down to this cache after visiting the nearby #1.
We found the best way in and parked the car inside the park area.
We approached the Bridge of Death and crossed carefully (me with G hugging on like a Koala).
The bridge of death held up, but led us right into the Blackberries of Doom!
More than a few scratches (shorts should not be worn at this cache) and a little bit of blood and we were at the cache site.
With 4 of us there there was no room to move and before we could say boo, Uncle Jiffy came up with the cache. Cool.
Took dolphin and coin , left squishy face man and koala.
Thanks to Muzza for our 4th Muzza cache of the day. No wet feet here, unless you count the blood running down my legs.

YES! we dared the bridge...

and arrived unharmed!!

great spot for a cache. thanks

tnln

After trying to park the car "on the wrong side of the valley", which led to many u-turns and many committee meetings regarding where we were and where we needed to be (this was the 2nd cache of the day with Night, daugther, mother-in-law and dog!), finally found the right place to be.

Avoided the "bridge of death" in favour of a running jump across the creek where banks were close togther.

Quickly found with out the aid of my "bum" as previous searchers.

in: dinosaur
out: small frog

Thanks Muzza for an interesting drive followed by a short walk, but given the "navigating situation", decided that two caches for the day was about enough.
Despite the trials finding this place a good time was had by all and a few more people (and one dog) now understand how I spend my weekends!

Number 2 in this series, After driving around for a while trying to get to the right spot we finally got there found it without much of a problem. Was a great day for caching.

In: Plane
Out: Whiteboard Marker

9.30PM 3rd for the night.
Oh boy, we turned down some avenue but we were faced with a dead end where we had to reverse about 60 metres to make a U turn. But after all that we got to the GZ fairly easily. I never knew that this track led into this area. But hey we learn new things every day. S found this cache easily when he stepped on it. TNLN and off to the next just down the road. we got S's AU stuck in the area we parked. lol wheels spinning and smoking. even for an LSD which normally will spin both wheels in this situation it decided only to spin the one sitting very firmly on the road. S tried going forward and planint it. Yeah it got out with lots of rubber burning. Dont park in front of that gate. its not a good idea unless you have 4wd. Thanks for a great cache from M.B and S.B-A ( team rabbitto)

With number one to the South under my belt, it was a short trip to get to this one. I had a sniff around likely places, but didn't see anything obvious. I sat down to have a think and to read the logs, and I heard the unmistakable sound of backside hitting plastic! Found at 1600.

IN: Glitter glue, water bombs
OUT: Mondo figure

Mr.Coffee and family stopped at the picnic area for Morning Coffee and while Shelby prepared Mr.Coffee did some repair work on the fallen "Bridge of Death". Once repairs were in order and eldest Michael tested it I went back to the car for needed coffee. Michael had in the meantime taken the GPS accross and found the cache before I could finish my coffee.
Michael has taken pulling strings and left mini eraser, stickers and one of my coffee cards.
Thanks Muzza for a nice spot for a break I have loaded this one into the database for a future picnic area.
Regards
Mr.Coffee (beaten by Son to the cache)
Ian.

Chose to avoid the bridge of death - jumped the creek instead. The GPSr was a but slugish but pointed it out after a few miniutes.
These cache boxes are realy starting to look the part as time goes by but seem to keep the contents good and dry.

Looked for the bee hive above in the tree that the bee keeper talked about in his log but couldn't notice it - may bee they'v buzzed off.

Took Forign coin
Left Hair tie

Thanks Muzza for showing my another place I have never been to.

I stood on the edge of the ravine and took in the sight of the 'bridge of death'. It had seen better days and was half lying in the white water below. I left my trusty companion to stand watch as I edged my way slowly across. I breathed a sigh of relief as I made it safely to the other side and set off on my journey to find the cache. I hunted it down quickly with the aid of my trusty GPS and relayed my success to my companion on our new communication device. I hastily read the journal entries and added my own before setting out on my way back. I returned slowly across the 'bridge of death' finally making it back to solid ground safe and sound (and dry). Thankyou Muzza for the adventure

Interesting log entry from a bee keeper who found it accidentally while tracking wasps.

Found it no problem after negotiating the bridge of death which is looking a little tired.

-- Agent

Found at 12:15pm. After doing #3 & #4 last night. "S" and I decided that we wanted to follow the entire track around by bike. We passed the other 2 and continued on to here. Most of the track is un-navigable by bike (and not permitted anyway) so we either pushed our bike down some of the path or rode the adjacent roads. It is a shame that this trail has been let go as it is a great continuous trail. I don't think that anyone else had used most of the trail for months gauging by overgrowth and bark/tree litter although the areas closer to the caches showed some use recently.

Took about 10 minutes to locate. Now off to #1. Bike speedo currently showing 31km since home.

Thanks Muzza from D & S B-A
Left figurine, took sticky notes.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Five for the day with Team Crackers.

There is now more challenge in this cache. As they say in the classics "London Bridge is falling down" and so is the Bridge of Death. The 'Bridge of Death' is no longer the 'Bridge of Breadth' as it spans the waterway no more (only partially anyway).

Walked around and around and around the tree. Finally looked under something.

Took 1914 penny - Left billiards chalk.

Found in the company of Vombatus on a caching day out, unfortunatly the bridge of death is dead (and very slippery). We survived the crossing and searched around GZ for a while untill Vombatus spotted a sign. We had walked over it a couple of times.
Took Bulldog Clips
Left Pull Strings and a ball
Returned to the picnic tables for lunch in the rain.
Thanks Muzza

Hmmmm.... wonderful example of the great australian outdoors..... leeches, mosquitoes, bees, stinging nettles up to our necks (and yes, they DO sting) and blackberry bushed grabbing our clothes. After struggeling along on 1 or 2 satellites most of the time because of the tree cover, a likely location was spotted in the distance and the cache found. Took stickers and left ceramic frog. Extremely unlikely that we will ever come back for a picnic.

We think the bridge of death is pretty safe compared to Quasar’s and it managed to carry Joe, who is a little overweight, with no problem. Pete discovered that the stinging plants were also lame compared to Quasar’s. We had to decode the clue for this one after a while of searching around. Joe then found the cache quickly. No swap, thanks Muzza.

Found at 11:10am. On the way to the cache I wasn't sure if I had select the best way in, but it was spotted rather quickly and so in my book that was the best way in. Next to where I parked the car someone is cleaning up a few of the fallen logs with a chain saw, this made finding my way back to the car particularly easy. Swapped a 1979 coin for a white board marker.

Not Happy Muzza!

Hadn't read the info sheet for this one, and certainly hadn't looked at the picture! Had serious misgivings about crossing the bridge, especially after seeing how it moved as Smurf walked across.

Maccadad assured me that he and Maccamum had both made it across safely, so I edged my way over. By this time Smurf had uncovered the cache - I took a pen and left a packet of bulldog clips.

Great spot Muzza!

#9 for GeoJo and Smurf's caching trip. Had to delay commencement of the attack on this one while a couple and their dog surveyed the Bridge Of Death - apparently they decided against it, as they departed the scene shortly afterwards. No such misgivings for this cacher!! Bolted towards GZ while GeoJo edged across, and got first dibs on the contents Took a 20 centime piece and left a dolphin (dauphin?) in place. Thanks Muzza!!

First Muzza find of the day. Put my bag down, searched for 10 minutes through the undergrowth, went back to my bag to find I'd put it almost on top of the cache!

Found this one quiet fast thank goodness. Even though I parked the car further away then need be. Stepped in the river on my way back. Clever!!! swapped a torch for a Novelty glow stick. My last for the day, can't wait to finish this Muzza track.
thanks Muzza for the great surroundings.

[last edit: 3/29/2003 2:29:30 AM PST]

Our 5th and final muzza cache for the day, crossed the bridge of death and survived, despite the efforts of the local freshwater crayfish to distract us from our quest. Also found the cache without trouble. Took a key ring torch and left a pkt of glow sticks. Thanks heaps muzza for a great day out.

Found with Geofreak & W.J. thanks Muzza.

Found by Mary & David at 1125, our second muzza cache today What a beautiful spot for a picnic. TB i! Geoffrey thought so too, but there wasn't enough room for him to stay. We shall return. Both mary & david crossed THE BRIDGE, but not at the same time, as it was a bit shaky, and it would have been tempting fate. Found quickly once at GZ. Took magnetic notes and left a clamp. Thanks again muzza, this track series is a winner.

Found relatively easily after starting at the right point (our map showed another track in which didn't exist!). We had to rush to replace the cache when we spotted Kevin and Meredith (Derringer) approaching and as a result, didn't have time to make an exchange. Greg and Bev

Found at 2.00pm just on the heels of Greg & Bev.
GPS couldn't make up its mind here so we had a number of locations to look, 5mins later we had the cache.
Took a heart stamp and left frog stickers.
Another beutiful area we had no idea existed.
BTW great camoflage!!!
Thanks Muzza we have enjoyed your double series in this area.
K&M

Found at 15.50. Managed to find and survive both crossings of the Bridge of death. The cache was well hidden so we had to search for a while for this one. This is our fourth and last Muzza cache for the day. Thanks Muzza, it has been a perfect caching day here in the Dandenong Ranges. Took water bombs, left pink heart shaped stamp.