UPDATE: We will be outdoors with plenty of space to be anti-social. Masks will be required in the event space near the Visitors Center. What you do elsewhere is up to you.
There will be lots of new caches in the area - too many for anyone to corner all the FTF's - and I'm not even sure you could complete them all in a day. The Refuge is only open from sunrise to sunset, so you will need to be outside the gates by about 5:00 pm.
The new caches will be released at 8:00 am on 11/7/20. Be sure to download them (and anything else you might want) before you leave civilization. There is virtually no cell or internet service at Ash Meadows or the surrounding area. Most of the puzzles are field puzzles, but you may find a few easier to solve from home.
Whether you've found thousands of caches or barely a handful, come and celebrate a milestone with other geocachers. Geocaching turns 20 this year with special events created to mark the occasion. Many have been canceled, but I'm hoping this will go on as planned. I chose the date so you can also celebrate my 9th geobirthday with me.
If you haven't been to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge before, you are in for an unexpected treat. This is an oasis in the middle of the desert, with a volume of water that will astonish you. And if you have been here before, I can promise some new caches to go along with the event.
I'm planning to bring drinks and a cake for us to share. We will meet in the covered picnic area with tables and seating reachable by paved paths. There are other seating areas nearby. Currently, the Visitors Center is closed and no drinking water is available, but the flush toilets are open. There is plenty of parking for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Currently, Nevada requires face coverings when you can't social distance. I will update the event rules as we get closer.
I've marked the turns for the two entrances that work best for those who want smooth gravel roads. Those roads are perfectly fine for all vehicles, although you might need to take your time. There are more adventurous ways to get in, but you will have to discover those on your own. There are other springs and historical sites reachable on good gravel roads within the refuge.
Whether you live in the area or are just passing through, put this on your calendar and join the fun. Attendance gives you a special icon and souvenir only available through the end of the year by attending a Community Celebration event.
Community Celebration Events - 2020
This Event is part of a limited release of Community Celebration Events to celebrate 20 years of geocaching. Geocachers hosted events between May 2, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Learn more about Community Celebration Events on the Geocaching Blog.