Love Mountain Lake Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is a national park site. Please: -Stay on trails. -Refrain from feeding wildlife. -"Leave no trace" (only leave your signature in the log book!)
Mountain Lake is a unique jewel in the Presidio. It's one of San Francisco's last surviving natural lakes and the only natural lake in the entire 80,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It's a place where visitors can enjoy a quiet oasis and soak in a bit of natural history. This lake is where the Presidio's story begins. For more than a thousand years, San Francisco's first people, the Ohlone, were inhabitants. It was here in 1776 that Spanish Captain Juan Bautista de Anza and his small band of explorers ended a 1,500 mile journey from the south, camping on its shores for two days – long enough to scout out exactly where they wanted to build their "presidio" or military fort (they chose the spot where the Presidio Officers' Club is today). From Run Down to Revival Mountain Lake experienced rough times during the last 100 years. In 1939, a highway to the Golden Gate Bridge was built next to the lake, dramatically shrinking its size. Pesticides from the nearby golf course and run off from the highway spoiled water quality. Locals thought they were doing something good by releasing their pets into the lake – we've found goldfish, turtles, and even an alligator and a five-foot sturgeon – but these critters forced the native wildlife out and damaged the lake's ecological system. With help from scientists, academic institutions, and volunteers, today Mountain Lake is rebounding in a big way. In 2013 and 2014, polluted soil and invasive species were removed, creating a healthy new start. Native species are now being reintroduced – from underwater plants to the Western Pond Turtle. We're even returning the Pacific Chorus Frog – the one that makes the classic "ribbit" sound you hear in Hollywood films! Click here to choose from a variety of short films about Mountain Lake's ecological renaissance: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIp9fPrGZsOm59Wk2Oa7jsbzTXf5rjTaN
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ol gur abegu fuber orapurf snpvat gur ynxr,
navzny unovgngf urer uhznaf qvq er-znxr!