Please read the entire description below prior to searching.
This is a puzzle geocache. There is no container or relevant information at the posted coordinates.
The United States has 59 National Parks. All of these parks have different beauty between each other. The oldest is Yellowstone (1872), and the newest is Pinnacles (2013). Each National Park has a 4 digit “Alpha Code.” The Alpha codes are made up of the first four letters of the park name. But if the park has more than one word, it takes the first two letters of the first two words. But there are some exceptions.
Examples:
1 word: Yosemite - yose
2 word: Petrified Forest - pefo
2+ word: Black Canyon of the Gunnison - blca
Exception: Carlsbad Caverns - cave
I will hide a geocache to honor all of these parks. I will do 6 groups of 10 caches (Actually 5 groups of 10, and 1 group of 9). Each of these are a puzzle with 6 questions.
I used Wikipedia for this information, as it gives it all on one page. Also say in your log if you have been to this park. If you have, please post pictures.
The Final Cache is located on a bike trail. I recommend biking, but walking is also possible. Also remember to bring a jacket, as it can get really windy on the trail. This cache is not accessible on the freeway, DO NOT STOP on the freeway. In addition, please do not drop the containers! I haven’t hidden any of them on the side where it can easy fall down.
This cache was given away at GC6FR4G, FTF on Feb 29? No, on Feb 38th (3/10). The winner got at least a 7 day head start on the Pre-FTF. The final cache has 2 spots for FTFs, a Pre-FTF, and a Post-FTF.
At nps - glba, there is a container that has logs for majority of the containers for part 3 of the nps series. I would appreciate it if cachers would grab a couple of logs, and replace them as needed. Please only initial the log, (example: nsearls25=ns25; KCSearcher=KCS, RV CREW=RV; etc.)Tweezers are required for these caches!
Thanks CarlottaP for helping check the puzzles.
The final container is at: N 38° 02.ABC W 122° 07.DEF
A. The first known writings about Great Sand Dunes appear in Zebulon Pike’s journals of 18A7
B. Combined, the park and preserve are a total of 14B,028 acres
C. The park encompasses 107,3C2 acres
D/E. Evidence of human habitation in the San Luis Valley dates back about DE,000 years
F. Scientists estimate that Lake Alamosa disappeared about F40,000 years ago
Congrats to Shrektrician for the Pre-FTF
And Congrats to RV CREW, lindyfind, and whtabtbob for the Post-FTF.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.