Road Trip to the Original Geocache

If you are a geocacher, you know finding the Original Stash Tribute Cache (GCGV0P) is like the Holy Grail of geocaching.

Here’s an excerpt from the cache description:

On May 3, 2000, a five-gallon bucket was placed right at this very spot by Dave Ulmer containing a Delorme Topo USA, 2 CD Roms, a cassette recorder, a “George of the Jungle” VHS tape, a Ross Perot book, 4 $1 bills, a slingshot handle and a pretty notorious can of beans (now the O.C.B. trackable). The coordinates were then listed on the internet and modern-day geocaching was born.

 The first finder of that first cache was Mike Teague who took the money and left some cigarettes, a cassette tape and a pen.

That original bucket was severely damaged by an Oregon road crew mower and is no longer around. TEAM 360 and other concerned geocachers recognized the importance of the event that happened here and dedicate this Original Stash Tribute Plaque on behalf of cachers everywhere.

You can read more about the history of geocaching.

Located closest to the town of Estacada, Oregon (30-40 minutes outside of Portland, depending on Traffic), the original geocache is located just off of South Fellows Rd, a paved two-lane country road that weaves and winds through farmland and wooded forest.

Where to Stay

Find family-friendly accommodations in Estacada, Oregon from traditional hotels to private vacation rentals through Stay22.com:

IMG_1401I didn’t think to bring my GPS and was sweating a bit when cell coverage got somewhat hit-or-miss once we turned off the main road. Fortunately, I thought to make some quick screen grabs on my smart phone.

Original GeocacheThe cache itself is fairly easy to find – you are looking for the following plaque and then a large ammo container hidden nearby (this is where you will find the log book). As long as there isn’t a line of cars waiting to pull over, you’ll find easy (and nearby parking). Watch out for notorious killer Oregon slugs!

Oregon SlugNaturally, you will want to take a few photos. To the embarrassment of my children, I staged Edward the Twinkly Vampire for a cameo.

Edward at the Original StashFortunately, we just missed a rainsquall, so Edward was twinkling away. Unfortunately, the trails leading up to nearby cache containers made a nice slip-and-slide. We opted to keep our shoes free of mud and stuck with the milestone find!

Muddy PathIf you’re already in Portland, this one is worth the road trip.


About the Author

Julie Henning
Julie Henning is a freelance writer and journalist based out of Eugene, Oregon. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and owner of the family-travel website RoadTripsForFamilies.com. She is a recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. In March 2018 Julie Henning published the book "100 Things to Do in Eugene Before You Die" (Reedy Press). She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. She has been published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin State Journal, Travel Wisconsin, Travel Oregon, Hometown News Group, The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Illinois), the Rochester Post Bulletin, Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine (DNR publication), Experience Michigan Magazine, the Official Oregon Wine Touring Guide, Metro Parent Milwaukee Magazine, Eugene Cascades & Coast Official Visitors Guide, Trivago, Intercom Magazine, Roadtrippers.com, Amtrak.com, Eugene Magazine, and FTF Geocacher Magazine. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio. She has produced episodes for Journey of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. Julie has also produced travel apps with Sutro Media and Bindu Media. She works full time in marketing. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio and is an affiliate producer with the Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. She has blogged for TravelWisconsin.com, Travel Oregon, and VISIT Milwaukee. Julie travels with her three kids and black lab as much as possible and lives by the motto, "Not all who wander are lost." Check out some of her best work at www.juliehenning.com.