GC13DE3 Bike Challenge 1 - Laurel Trail (Traditional Cache) in New Jersey, United States created by Frodo

This cache has been archived.

Frodo_Underhill: While doing maintenance on the Bike Challenge series today it was confirmed that Bike Challenge 2 - Greenbriar Rd was missing which breaks the series. The area of the #2 hide has been thoroughly disturbed which made rehiding a replacement cache impossible.

The series had a good run - just shy of 5 years so its time to put these caches to rest and send them to the great beyond of the Archives.

Thanks to everyone who visited these caches through the years.

GC13DE3 ▼

A cache by Frodo_Underhill Message this owner

Hidden : 6/6/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This is the first cache in a series of five caches located in Estelle Manor Park that are designed to be found by traveling along the bike trails. With the price of gas near $3 per gallon again this series of caches will give you some incentive to dust of your bike and go caching.

This cache is located along the Laurel Trail. In late spring when the Mountain Laurel are in bloom this is a beautiful site to behold. Find the cache hidden in typical Pinelands fashion.

This cache is a part of the Bike Challenge series. After you find the cache, locate and make a note of the number on a wooden block in plain site nailed to a nearby tree. You will need this number to solve the puzzle to find Bike Challenge 5 - Final Destination. Disregard any letters you may see on trees or any letter/number combinations that you may see on posts.

LOOK FOR NUMBERS ON WOODEN BLOCKS ON TREES


ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

The other caches in this series are:

• Bike Challenge 2 - Greenbriar Road
• Bike Challenge 3 - Frog Pond Road
• Bike Challenge 4 - Duck Farm Road
• Bike Challenge 5 - Final Destination

You could hike to these caches but the trails are in good shape for a sturdy mountain bike. Street bikes should be used with caution as there are some soft spots and bumps along the way. Motor vehicles are not allowed on these trails. You will get some good exercise finding these caches.

The estimated round trip from the suggested parking at the picnic area to Bike Challenge 5 - Final Destination is about 6.0 miles. The round trip for this cache alone is about 0.4 miles.

Estell Manor Park, Atlantic County, NJ is the site of the Bethlehem Loading Company ammunition factory which was in operation during World War I and then abandoned. There are traces and ruins from this factory throughout the park - especially the northern part.

Be sure to follow all precautions for exposure to mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers as there are marshes and grassy areas in this park, which are favorable habitats for all of these bugs.

Leave No Trace is posted in many places in this park. Please respect this philosophy when looking for the cache. Instead of kicking the pine needles and leaves aside or upturning logs and branches, try poking around ground zero with a walking stick or a pole. You might be surprised on how quickly you find the cache. Please put everything back the way you find it to preserve the park and the experience for the next cacher.

This cache can be reached along existing trails without violating the restrictions on bikes that are in place for some other trails. Refer to a trail map and explore the park to find a trail that complies with park guidelines. The boardwalks on the Swamp Trail as well as some other areas are off limits to all but hikers.

The cache is a small round lock & lock container.