BPL: Cocoa Mountain Traditional Geocache
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Relatively easy hike for ages 5 and up, with a nice view of protected grasslands and stream. My first cache placement. Small container full of swag.
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Cutler Unit comprises over 12, 000 acres. Heavily visited south of Route 191 due to the coastal trail, only hunters, fisherman and ATV riders visit the north, 2/3 of which is dedicated to forest management. This cache placement is intended to introduce the visitor to the beauty of the whole unit. Cocoa Mountain is said to be named after a group of hunters who took cocoa wine with them on a hunting trip, with some getting lost on the mountain. Learn more about Public Reserved Lands online.
While on top of the mountain, be sure to check out the spectacular views from the west nubble. Overlooking an Ecological Reserve, you will see East Stream and its associated grasslands. These barrens are dominated by blue-joint grass, flat-topped aster, alder, and meadowsweet. Brambles are found on the upland sites. This is ideal habitat for certain species of uncommon or rare birds such as merlin, short-eared owl, yellow rail and sedge wren. At one time, a cheese factory was located north of the barrens. Look further and you will see the towers of the Naval Installation. In late July and August, enjoy a handful of blueberries atop the mountain. Blueberry barrens you pass through on the way to the cache are privately owned...please do not pick there.
Drive up Cocoa Mtn Road (4.3 miles east of the town wharves and 0.4 miles east of the Cutler Coastal parking lot) and park on the left fork at Mile 3, then a brisk 10 minute hike up the ATV trail will take you to Cocoa Mountain. Did you spy the old 2-bitted axe embedded between 2 trees? Please yield to logging trucks. In winter, the road may not be plowed so you will have to ski or snowshoe in from Rt. 191. Enjoy the swag in the small camo'd sterlite box! Items include postcards, a glue stick, lock de-icer, a binder clip, bracelets and more. Travel bug Rx Rex was also placed here. Congrats to MsKhaving fun for her very first FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pna'g fcehpr hc guvf ivrj!