apollosmith

Or not. In Google Maps, I can tell that the rail had a diversion track for an old factory or something at this location, but the sidetrack is no longer there, thus no need for the semaphore (which also does not appear to be present in Google Earth). It will be interesting to see if it and the marker is still there. The problem is that the poles are no longer there. If I knew a standard distance at which they typically 'planted' them, then I'd have something to go off of. This is in reference to http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.aspx?PID=MR0489 and http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.aspx?PID=MR0488 From the detail given, it appears that the Google Maps marker is probably very close. Another question. I understand that RESET markers (e.g., MR0489) were placed to be able to reposition the actual marker if it were lost or moved. If so, how come the descriptions never indicate the direct relationship between the two. I'd expect "89 degrees and 42 feet" or some other description of relationship. Or is this enscribed directly on the RESET only? Thank you so much for your help!

I just got a proper GPS and am just getting into geocaching. This is my first post here. I'm in Northern Utah and the foot of snow on the ground limits a lot of what I can do until spring, but I have found quite a few benchmarks in my area that have not been logged. I like a challenge and would like to be the FTF on some of these and would like to verify several others that haven't been found in many years. Many benchmarks in my immediate area are along an old railway that is used once per week. I'm a bit confused by some of the terminology. For example, one datasheet reads, "MARK SET IN CONCRETE BASE OF SEMAPHORE NO. 55.5. 7 POLES AND 30 FEET SOUTH OF EAST-WEST DIRT ROAD." From the other descriptions, I believe "SEMAPHORE" refers to some sort of switching sign or other visual designator. Is this correct? Others in the very near vicinity reference MILEPOLE 55.5. I assume by "pole" in this sense that it is a mile marker, right? So there is probably a sign or signal at this milepost? However, the distance of "7 POLES" above doesn't make a lot of sense. It clearly is not 7 miles. It is some measure of distance greater than 30 feet, but probably less than several hundred feet. I found some surveying terminology that said it is the same as a rod - 16.5 feet, but this doesn't seem right in this context. I assume it refers to the distance between the old telephone poles that ran parallel to the tracks, but none of these remain in place along this track. Many of the descriptions in this area use this distance and not knowing it is going to make things difficult. So how long is a "pole"?