InfoChallenge Center

Printer Version   Spy on this Cache

Hidden On: 26 Jul 2003
Waypoint (Landmark): N0077D
Open Cache:  Personal use only
Cache type:  Normal
Cache size:   Normal

Difficulty:  (moderate)
Terrain:  (hard)

Misc:

Comments:

NOTE: The listed coordinates are for the PARKING not the actual cache.

This is the final and "reward" cache of the InfoChallenge series. To get the actual coordinates of this cache, complete InfoChallenge North, South, East, and West, and I will e-mail you the coordinates.

This was originally going to be a multi-cache, but some part of me decided that you poor folks have been through enough already. :) That's not to say that this cache is easy...it is not.

Be prepared for this cache. The round-trip hike is about 4 miles, if you don't make any wrong turns. Bring plenty of water, appropriate footwear, and a hiking stick will be a big help in navigating the watery areas and moving spiders and probing for snakes. :) Please be safe and prepared, and remember you're seeking this one at your own risk.

I also would not attempt this cache without a map, or even better, an aerial photo of the area you are going to. Print one and take it with you...it will be a big help.

You are going to one of the most remote and inaccessable areas of this very special county nature preserve. All of your walking will be on-trail...although the trail is sometimes not more than a deer path. This time of year (July/August) you will get wet and muddy. If you have phobias about walking through tall grass and water in Florida...this will be a rough one. I know it was for me. :)

As far as I know, there is ONLY one way in to this cache from the parking lot. In the most dry part of the year, there MIGHT be a second way, but I really doubt it.

Without giving too much away, you will basically go north on the main two-track trail, past Wild Bill's Brooker Creek Ruins cache. From there...well, you'll go almost to the end of the preserve before heading to the cache. But you can't go straight to it! If you follow the trails, they will take you there eventually. There is one watery crossing, at a place my son calls The Spooky Forest. In the dry season, you can walk right through it, but not now. :)

The cache is a painted ammo can. It contains a log book and a silver coin for the first finder. There is also the certificate for the overall cache series award in there...one per team please. There's no trading needed or expected...if you find this cache...YOU'VE EARNED IT! :)

No bushwacking (off-trail) is required. The cache is right along the trail, such as it is. Please respect the beauty and importance of this area by minimizing your impact.

We were really intimidated by this one so came a little over pre-prepared. 6 liters of water, big Gore-Tex boots, flashlight, two cell phones, extra batteries, compass, knife, rain jackets, 4 maps - okay you get the idea.

The area was obviously very wet and muddy and it took a little under 3 hours to complete. We think we did a pretty good job of navigating and doubt we missed any turns. Thanks to our heavy duty boots we made it to within 50 feet of the cache with dry feet. We got a little excited as we got close and our carelessness caused a good boot flooding. Since our feet were wet we pretty much went through anything on the way back.

Seekers should be smart and come prepared - please don't use our exploits as the norm.

LN - Took a ?(You'll see if you go)


Thanks again InfoSponge - we've really enjoyed this series.

FIRST FINDER! What a sloshy mudfest! Truly an excellent finisher. Gosh info, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this series of caches. From crushed bicycles (East), to stuck trucks (North), to Deer caused accidents, to the transportation of exotic Florida wildlife on my person - ticks, ants, spiders, scorpions and most recently a grasshopper, to the grand adventure on my third and finally successful trek with my Dad on North. This has been an adventure. Thanks for all your dedication to the sport, this area is made finer by your presence within it.
[Modified 2003-08-04 10:34:05] by Cache Owner