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Get In Gear LbNA #65625

Owner:RandomChimp
Plant date:Aug 22, 2013
Location: Hominy Creek Trail
City:Columbia
County:Boone
State:Missouri
Boxes:5
Found by: bed_beard (3)
Last found:May 16, 2020
Status:FFFFFU
Last edited:Aug 22, 2013
The recently built Hominy Creek Trail... (I won't say recently completed because there's still work going on around it...) is a nice addition to the area.  It provides a pleasant way to bike from the area where I live into town without spending so much time on narrow busy roads.  It's a nice paved path suitable for walking or rolling.  This series of boxes is perfect for a family on foot or on bikes or anyone who wants a quick, relatively easy hunt.  Only the first box is much off the path... The rest are all pretty easy to reach. That said, be super careful about others watching since I don't doubt that this will be a well-used trail!

So hop on your bike and get in gear!
(It can be an imaginary bike... the section of trail this covers is less than a mile long.)

For a full version of this clue that includes the photos indicated (Fig 1a, etc.) you can view my web page for it here:
Get In Gear Letterbox

You can start your hunt from either end of the trail.  None of the boxes are north of St. Charles Rd.  Only the main box "Bicycle and Rider" has a logbook; the "bonus" boxes just have stamps.

Starting from where the trail meets St. Charles Rd:

Head along the trail as it wanders generally to the southwest.  As it heads more into the wooded area, you'll reach a sharp left turn and a bridge over the creek. You'll find yourself facing a large retaining wall. The wall has stepped capstones as it ascends. (Fig 1a.) Carefully head up to the 13th capstone.  Head 30 paces (two steps each... may be awkward on the slope) at 60 degrees. Spot a large rock at the base of an oak with a piece of pipe near it.  (Fig 1b.) Here you'll find your Bike and Rider (main box with logbook).

Continue along the path until you reach the end of the retaining wall.  Stand at the end of the wall and face 250 degrees so you are looking at a tree with a triple trunk... a walnut I think. (Fig 2a.)  Get some relief from the bright sun by finding the SPOR at the base of the tree.

Return to the path and continue following it.  You will go under Broadway.  Continue along a more open area on the left, passing a hill where an old abandoned road ends (may be hard to see from down here).

Continue on until you see a large cluster of trees on your left near a small gully that crosses the path.  Look for a triple-trunked tree... a sycamore I believe.  (Fig 3a.) If you need to tighten up your bike's brake calipers or adjust the handlebar, you'll find a handy tool in a SPOR behind the tree.

Continue along the trail heading under Highway 63.  The first span has steel girder supports to your left. Rehydrate by looking for a SPOR at the base of the left-most leg of the structure.

Hopefully your tires are properly inflated, otherwise you'll need to continue on to the end of the trail where it runs out and Green Valley Drive begins.  Near the end of the path, you'll see three large rocks.  The farthest one from the trail is near a gas line marker.  (Fig 5a.) Examine this rock for some air.

Starting from Green Valley Drive

At the beginning of the trail, spot three large rocks and a gas line marker to your right.  (Fig 5a.)  Examine the rock farthest from the trail to put some air in your tires.

Follow the trail heading under Highway 63 until you are under the fourth span.  To your right will be steel bridge supports. (Fig 4a.)  Seek hydration by looking for a SPOR at the base of the left-most leg of the structure.

Continue along the trail until you see a large-ish cluster of trees with a triple-trunked tree... a sycamore I believe. (Fig 3a.)  If you need to tighten up your bike's brake calipers or adjust the handlebar, you'll find a handy tool in a SPOR behind the tree.

Continue along the path, passing a mound on the right where an old road ends.  Keep going until you get to Broadway above you.  Keep going until you reach a path that heads up to Broadway to the right of the main path. Between this path and the main path will be a cluster of trees.  One tree there has a triple trunk... a walnut I think. (Fig 2a.)  Get some relief from the bright sun by finding the SPOR at the base of the tree.

Return to the main path and follow along the large retaining wall on your right that ends near a bridge over the creek. At the end near the bridge it has stepped capstones as it ascends. (Fig 1a.)  Carefully head up to the 13th capstone.  Head 30 paces (two steps each... may be awkward on the slope) at 60 degrees.  Spot a large rock at the base of an oak with a piece of pipe near it.  (Fig 1b.)  Here you'll find your Bike and Rider (main box with logbook).

Note: This series was placed with approval from Columbia Parks & Recreation.