About the Cache
This cache is hidden at a very unique location. If you want to
find out what's so special about this spot, then solve the
this crossword
puzzle (15KB PDF ... requires Adobe
Reader to view). There are extra copies of the puzzle in the
cache. While this cache has a puzzle theme, it's not a
puzzle/mystery cache - you don't need to solve the puzzle to find
it nor to open it.
I'm a big puzzle and game geek, so I've stocked the cache with
such trinkets. Those card games and puzzles of which you've grown
tired that are doing nothing but taking up space in your closet
make excellent trade items. Feel free to take one of the copies of
the crossword puzzle from the cache ... the gazebo is a perfect
place to sit and solve it.
About the Location
The cache is located off of the Pine Island Ridge Trail that
connects Tree Tops Park, Westridge Park, and Bergeron Park. It is
the elevation that brings the ridge its ecological and
archaeological uniqueness.
Because of its higher elevation within the vastness of the
Everglades, the ridge was inhabited by the Tequesta Indians over
5,000 years ago. It was later occupied by both the Miccosukee and
Seminole Indian Tribes. It has many archaeological sites which
helped to obtain State funding for the Ridge’s preservation back in
the late 1980’s.
The trail follows what was once a dirt road that was used to
move equipment along the edge of large citrus groves. Houses have
replaced the groves, but the ridge has remained intact with lush
native landscape. Malachite butterflies and gopher tortoise are
among its more notable inhabitants.
Directions to the Cache
The closest public parking can be found to the south in Tree
Tops Park, which is also where you'll find the trail head. While
the cache itself is outside of Tree Tops and is accessible 24/7,
parking at the trail head is limited to park hours (typically dawn
to dusk).
The paved foot trail begins behind the conference center near
the parking waypoint. Follow it north through the woods, then
through the gate, out of Tree Tops Park and onto the Pine Island
Ridge Trail. The trail leads uphill, where a gazebo will come into
view on your left.
From the gazebo waypoint, the cache is less than 150 feet away.
You'll need to step off of the trail, because the only way to get
to the final location is to bushwhack. There are several ways to
get there, all of them equally rough. No matter which way you go,
be prepared to get covered in burrs and to be poked in the eye with
a stick ... long pants are a must, long sleeves are recommended,
and you might consider wearing eye protection. Denim or nylon
clothing will minimize the number of burrs that stick to you. Do
yourself a favor and leave your long-haired pets at home.
Do not attempt this cache if you are afraid of spiders - bring a
hiking pole or tree branch to clear the webs in front of you. Also,
watch out for raccoons since this is a
rabies alert area. When I placed the cache, I found a sleeping
raccoon about 15 feet from the final location. Fortunately, they're
nocturnal ... I have no idea how that cute fuzzy thing slept right
through my stomping around in the dry brush. Plus, keep your eyes
out for gopher tortoise holes - a twisted ankle is a great way to
ruin a caching run. I nearly found such a hole the hard way en
route to the final coords.
An ammo can awaits you at the posted coordinates.
Other Nearby Caches
This trail is a great area to grab several finds while on a
caching hike ... you will walk right past stage 1 of
Sam Jones at the conference center,
"Fort" Lauderdale is at the end of the eastern branch of the
trail, and even
Misty's Kitty Cache at the north end is within reach if you're
looking for a long walk with a pretty view. All of them are easy
and fun two-stage multis.