Maine Spirit Quest #20 -- MFS Oak Hill Tower Traditional Cache
Northwoods Explorer: The hiding location was removed and replaced with a trail. thanks to all that made the attempt.
Maine Spirit Quest #20 -- MFS Oak Hill Tower
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cahce is located near the fire tower on Oak Hill.
While fire towers are no longer used in Maine there are a few that are still standing and in excellent shape due in fact to their remote locations. I have looked at this tower while riding down route 11 for years and always wanted to go there. I finally did several years ago and figured that if I liked it some would others. The Oak Hill Fire Tower is located in Township 8, Range 5, in Aroostook County about three miles from route 11 at an elevation of 1096'. The 75 foot steel tower was erected in 1924 and discontinued in the mid 80's. The tower has been build in a very unique fashion that must be seen to be understood. Once you have found the cache please sign the log and return it for others. Please enjoy the forest and view of the area.
There are two way to reach the tower. Both off route 11 from Camp Violette which was once the site of the forest camp and more recently a road side rest area that was removed in 2005. On the west side of the road in a woods road which you will follow for 1.4 miles. Here you will find a split in the road if you go straight it will take you to the orginal tower trail marked in orange. This trial is 100 meters in length and very overgrown. The turn to the right goes for one mile where it ends in a clearcut with a beautiful view of the tower. From the top of the hill to the tower is about 150 meter of very steep open forest. I like the clearcut because it is only 1500 meters to the tower and I always see animals. Which ever trail you decide to take enjoy your visit to a tower that is a rich part of the forestry history of Maine.
NGS Benchmark (RF0707) is also located here. It was place by the coast and geodetic survey in 1941 on what they called the wooded summit of Oak Hill at an altitude of 960 ft. It is in line with Ashland and Patten. The mark is in the center of the tower concrete pillars marked with the standard bronze disk set in the tile embedded in the ground in concrete.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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