This 11th cache on the Wild Hag Alphabet Trail (WHAT?!) is hiding beneath the curved base of a large fir tree as it hangs out over a gentle rocky ledge.
Welcome to WHAT!? = The Wild HAG Alphabet Trail!? In honour of the Hide and Go's 10th Anniversary, we have placed 26 alphabet caches, and the "WHAT!? Culmination Cache", along a WILD TRAIL loop on beautiful Salt Spring Island. Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to hike the TRAILS, find all 26 WILD (as in somewhat unique) ALPHABET caches, record the key word that starts with each letter, then use the letters of your collected words to calculate the coordinates to the nearby final! Easy as ABC…
A few things to note:
* All caches are hidden very close to the main trails. There is no need for any serious bushwhacking and definitely no rock climbing! We have tried to minimize the environmental impact these caches will create and we encourage you do be as careful as you can when looking for them.
* The 26 caches are hidden in alphabetical order in a loop made up of various trails around Mount Maxwell Provincial Park. They are each labeled in some way to tell you which letter you have discovered.
* The key word you are looking to record at each cache starts with the cache's letter and represents the shape/type of container, its hiding place, or something hidden on or within it.
Check the front and back covers of the logbook for hints and answers!
* BYOP! Bring your own writing device. There are none hiding within!
* Once you have your alphabetical list of 26 key words, use the information provided on the
"WHAT?! Culmination Cache" page to figure out where the final is hidden.
* Have fun!
Planning Your Day
**The WHAT?! Series will likely take you most of a day to complete, unless you are an accomplished trail runner!**
* Starting Location: The alphabetical loop is designed to begin and finish at the trailhead at the end of Armand Rd. To get there turn off the Fulford-Ganges Rd at Duke's Rd. Follow the road uphill then make a left on Seymour Heights, then a left on Armand. Follow Armand all the way to the end where it widens into a spacious turn-around that will accommodate half a dozen vehicles. (See parking coordinates) Note: The series may also be accessed from the parking lot at the top of Mount Maxwell, though you'd be starting in the middle)
* The first 11 caches, A-K, are hidden along trails that will take you from your parking spot at the end of Armand Rd. all the way up to the picnic area and parking lot at the top of Mount Maxwell. This could make for a somewhat vigorous 2-3 hour morning (depending on your fitness level and caching success) ending in a great spot for lunch. There are a few steep hills to climb, but good trails, beautiful forests, and some awesome viewpoints can make for an enjoyable experience.
* The second 15 caches, L-Z, are hidden around the top trails of the park and eventually work their way back down to the starting trailhead at Armand Rd. This area is not as up-and-down, but also not as scenic as the first part.
* All trails are marked with orange blazes, markers and ribbon. Many of the metal markers also bear trail numbers. Please stay on the marked trails while traveling from cache to cache. It would likely be a good idea to print yourself a trail map and mark the caches on it before you set off to avoid taking a wrong turn at one of the intersections.