Hidden Pond
This cache is the FINAL in a series of 5 invasive plant-themed caches placed around parks in Northern Virginia. You will also need to jot down the clue from each cache to find this final cache.
You will find the coordinates to this cache by starting here:
Alien Invaders:English Ivy Leaguers
Alien Invaders: Reston's Exotic GC2HHE8
Alien Invaders: Russian Olives GC2HHVZ
Alien Invaders: Confucious Say Wisteria GC2E0D
The difficulty rating for this cache is 4 because you have to find 4 other caches to obtain clues so you can find this final.
Click here to download a GPX trail map of the park: Trail map
N38 A. 0BB W077 1C.D7C
This park is host to most of the invasive plants you have already learned about including, but not limited to wisteria, greenbriar(native plant but can have invasive qualities), garlic mustard, multi flora rose and porcelainberry (around the pond area).
[UPDATE 1.6.11: I was just given a correction to make on this page regarding greenbriar as being a native! For more information on greenbriar as a native forage plant you can check out this informational sight: native greenbriar>I have met a number of knowledgeable folks who have assisted in the creation of this series and serve as my technical advisors!.]
Porcelainberry vine is an invasive that loves wet areas, spread by birds who eat the beautiful turquoise fruits. It covers native plants in these areas keeping native species from thriving.
Park at the coordinates for this cache and head to the nature center to grab a map.
Take the yellow trail behind the nature center and follow the stream and your GPS towards the coordinates gathered from the 4 clues you found from these caches:
GC2HG5X = A
GC2HHE8 = B
GC2HHVZ = C
GC2JE0D = D
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
The cache is 25 feet from the trail. Once you retrieve the cache you can return via the same route to the black and white triangle sign or continue further along the board walk trail until you reach the Pohick stream. Once you reach the stream turn right and follow the stream back towards the Nature center for a nice loop in the woods back to the parking area.
TREAD LIGHTLY. LEAVE ONLY FOOTSTEPS
Be fair and trade even or better when trading swag items and TBs and remember to log TBs and coins in and out of caches when logging your find. Give me a heads up in your logs if there are no booklets or 1 or 2 left and I will get them restocked. I have a source..> : ).
A big FTF goes to Gaiterman for completing the entire Alien Invader series and finding this final ! Buglady1 >: )>
