Southgate Orienteering Multi-Cache
virtualdavid: Construction continues. Cache is not that popular. Time to retire it.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Tired of just going to the GPS coordinates? Try old-school orienteering to locate this cache from waypoints while touring an interesting neighborhood.
In the Palo Alto politics of neighborhood perks, Southgate has done well. This cache provides both a geocaching challenge and a tour of the neighborhood. (For a contrasting neighborhood tour, try “Appointed Rounds” GCZ1EA which is in adjacent Evergreen Park).
Southgate is probably the most traffic calmed place in the city, being virtually impenetrable to cars. I’ve listed the coordinates of the cache near one of the entrances, by Peers park, where facilities are available. It is easy to get here by foot or bike. Good luck if you are in a car, but it is possible.
The listed coordinates are a good place to start the cache, as everything is within walking distance from here. While you are at this location, notice the old oak across the street (picture posted in the gallery). This is one of my favorites in Palo Alto, and worth a stop to admire. Some of the branches are as big as full trees!
Now head to the Path waypoint, at N 37° 25.851’, W 122° 9.111’ to find a pedestrian access to the neighborhood. You should find yourself at a kink in the path. The cache is about 1500 ft at bearing 355 (true) from this point.
Now head to the Lamppost waypoint, at N 37° 25.965’ W 122° 09.197. Notice that this lamppost is highly decorated and is powered from below. Another Southgate perk is buried utilities. Look overhead – no wires!
Near the lamppost on the sidewalk is an expansion crack going more or less directly away from it. Put your compass where this crack intersects the center crack of the sidewalk, and sight along the center crack. The cache is on this line. (See picture in the gallery if you are having trouble.)
Now head to the Yard waypoint, at N 37° 26.059’ W 122° 09.104’. You may have noticed that Southgate generally has big houses in small lots. Many are two stories, which provides ample opportunities for people to look into each other's back yards. Here the back yard is semi-private, adjacent to this cut-though walk, so you can see into their yard as if you lived here.
The house has a beige walk coming from their back door to the pathway. The cache is along the line of the beige walk.
(See picture in the gallery if you are having trouble).
The cache is in a plastic jar covered in olive drab tape. It is hidden in a public area, so there is no need to go onto private property. You should be able to solve this with your wits, so no jumping fences or otherwise taking a beeline as it will annoy the neighbors.
The hint gives a landmark within ten feet of the cache, so if you are close with your orienteering but do not have a precision fix, can zero in on it. Don't look at the clue unless you are in the vicinity of the final and are having some trouble pinning it down. The clue might give it away otherwise.
I’ve put a few suggestions on orienteering methods in the logs for those who need a little help getting started with this. I am interested in what method you use to find it.
The irony of all the traffic calming is that Southgate residents sometimes complain that they cannot get in or out of the neighborhood. Commuter traffic backs up on Churchill due to the train crossing and Paly High generates a lot of traffic as well, so it can take a long time to get in or out.
If you'd like to learn more about this pleasant neighborhood, go to this article in the local paper. (visit link)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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