BEFORE READING FURTHER...
The Real National Treasure cache takes place in an area that is currently off limits from dusk to dawn. However, in cooperation with the Town of Hudson and the Hudson Police Dept., they have allowed us to make an exception for this geocache.
To particiape in The Real National Treasure, we ask you to do 2 simple things:
1. PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT, post a note on the cache page of the date and approximate time of your visit. We will let town officials know you will be in the area.
2. DURING YOUR VISIT, print and clearly display the required Parking Permit in the front windshield of your vehicle.
On to the cache…
Those of you familiar with the National Treasure movie know that the origins of the story trace back to 1832. In an early scene, Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, passed on a clue for finding the treasure to Thomas Gates, the great great grandfather of Benjamin Franklin Gates. Carroll and the Gates family had been close for many years, it’s believed that Carroll and Thomas Gates grandfather, Harold Gates (1738-1804) of Hudson, MA met in college and formed a deep, long-lasting relationship.
As it turns out, Charles Carroll was wealthy in his own right and acknowledged as one of the richest men in America. He was a State Senator from Maryland, and interestingly enough had been commissioned to a diplomatic mission to Canada in 1776. Why is that interesting? Recently, diaries from private libraries now made public reveal that Carroll stopped in Hudson, MA several times, presumably on his trips between Maryland and Canada. One entry from the diary of a Gates family member gives an indication of Carroll’s thinking at the time: “He was particularly obsessed with this patch of woodlands [now the area of Gates Pond], and could be heard saying to himself ‘they’ll never find it here’”. There are several similar entries in other diaries and it’s now rumored that Carroll hid some of his riches, and possibly some of the National Treasure, in this area.
We have spent considerable time in these woods looking for clues that could lead to Carroll’s treasure, and now invite you to share in the startling discoveries we made. Not surprisingly, Carroll’s close association with the Gates family has resulted in a series of challenges and mysteries to be solved in order to reach the final reward.
TO COMPLETE THIS ADVENTURE YOU WILL NEED:
- A headlamp or good flashlight (extra batteries recommended). It’s best to hold the flashlight at eye-level as you search.
- Something to write with
- A few hours to spare
We also recommend the following:
- Hiking boots or sturdy footwear
- Water, snacks
- Notifying next of kin
- In the extreme cold, a small pick axe or hammer to break through the ice (no, we’re not kidding)
- 3 AAA batteries – you shouldn’t need them, but you could be happy you brought them
IMPORTANT TO GET STARTED:
Follow the main path and then side path TO THE POSTED COORDINATES. STOP THERE. AT THE POSTED COORDINATES use your flashlight to find a single red tack. Follow single red tacks until you see two red tacks. Stage 1 is located within 20 ft of the two red tacks.
LAST:
THIS IS A NIGHT CACHE, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT DURING THE DAY. It is NOT snow-friendly. And last, please do not include cache-specific comments in your logs/blogs so that others can enjoy the full adventure.