GC4FXEH Ela Prairie (Traditional Cache) in Illinois, United States created by BogWalker

This cache has been archived.

BogWalker: Cache is missing or moved. Nobody wants to get off the beaten path as it is, so no point in replacing it.

GC4FXEH ▼

A cache by BogWalker Message this owner

Hidden : 7/9/2013

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A rarely traveled part of Cuba Marsh, on this side of Ela Road there are no established trails or parking lots. Park on Cuba Road at the waypoint listed, you can pull entirely off the road there and there's a gap in the side rail.

From the cache you have a wide view and should see nobody. Late summer grass might be rough on bare knees. Snow will make this almost impossible to find.

Ela Prairie (pronounced Eee'-lah) is the section of Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve that is east of Ela Road (named after George Ela, the first European settler here).

Since Illinois is the Prairie State, this is "hidden" in the open prairie. Unlike most grassy areas in local forest preserves, this area is being maintained as native prairie, with native plants. One notable plant is the compass plant. Compass plants, easily distinguished from the surrounding grasses by the thicker stem and big leaves, usually grow 6 - 9 feet tall and get their name because their leaves tend to point north and south. Their stems will stand all winter.

Congrats to CigarBoySmokes, Shortyknits and Scottberks on the FTF. They braved the dark and the accompanying hordes of mosquitoes to get there first!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Sbe qverpgvbaf, ybbx gb gur pbzcnff cynag

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)