Adventures in Geocaching

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container (usually a tupperware or ammo box) containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value.

Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica. This great free family friendly high-tech version of hide & seek, continues in Geauga Park District in 2010. Learn more at Geocaching.com.

In keeping with the geocaching motto – Cache In, Trash Out – the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle theme and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this year, our 2010 caches will be in parks that were "recycled or repurposed" and contain one of 4 puzzle pieces. Collect all four pieces over the course of the year and return them to The West Woods Nature Center for a prize.

All of the following caches expire January 1, 2011.

Summer 2010
This 2-stage multicache is located in the maple sugarbush at Swine Creek Reservation in Middlefield Township. The sugarbush was “reused” from the previous owners who sugared the woods.

PART 1
N 41° 26.447’
W 081° 01.808’

Woods Edge Shelter is your starting location,
The trail in the back is your next destination.
If you stay on the trail you will prevail,
Across a bridge, to the Gray Fox trail.
A left you will make, then down to the creek.
Step carefully across and you won’t get wet feet.
Make the next turn with the stream on your right,
To a 4-trail junction you will sight.
Off on the right is a double cherry,
Check the broken one for your query.

Spring 2010
This 4-stage multi-cache is located at Headwaters Park in Claridon and Huntsburg Townships; the total distance is about 2 miles. The Buckeye Trail travels along much of the reservoir. The Maple Highlands Trail, built on the old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, is its western boundary.

PART 1
N 41° 30.717’
W 081° 05.935’

Begin at the main parking off Rt. 608,
Look for the Buckeye Trail near the old gate.
Follow the blue blazes along the trail,
If you keep them in sight you will not fail.
New camping is seen off to your right,
But stay the main trail through pines of great height.
Just before the road turns sharp to the right,
A pile of rubble on the left you will sight.
Hidden amongst the foundation stone,
Is the clue to finish this first poem.

Winter 2010
This fairly short 3-stage multicache is located along an accessible paved trail at Bessie Benner Metzenbaum Park in Chester Township. Converted from an old homestead, it is also a multi-use park for students and staff from Metzenbaum Center.

PART 1
N 41° 30.620’
W 081° 21.443’

Under the arbor is the way you must go,
Only about 200 feet or so.
The top of a beech tree is what you seek,
Check on the left, which one could it be?

 

Interested in placing your own cache in Geauga Park District? Click here to download a permission application.

Do you have a good picture of you or your family geocaching in Geauga Park District? You could be featured in our newsletter! Email photos and contact information to vliptak@geaugaparkdistrict.org.