This is the Towle Land, which includes open fields and forested areas. Marked trails run through both tracts of recreation land and these are appropriate for x-c skis, snowshoes, or dry-land hiking. There is no direct route between the two parts of this geocache that does not cross private residential property. It will be necessary to relocate your car a short distance for public access to the second site. Instructions are given at the first site.
For reasons discussed below, prizes and swaps at the Town Land Cash focus on coins and currency (there are a few good non-monetary prizes for the younger set including a really expansive dayglow slinky). Enjoy the outing and Happy Caching!
Some Background:
Hardly a year goes by when the taxpayers of Carlisle are not asked to ante up a bit more on the tax rate to purchase another piece of recreation or greenspace land. As a result, we have lots of trails and trees, rocks, swamps, and mosquitoes to share with our fellow geocachers. The Town Land Cash commemorates the connection between coins and conservation land by providing a stash of foreign and domestic money, and a chance to visit two of the better-used tracts of town land near the Carlisle center.
Carlisle was a colonial agricultural settlement and the Towle land combines open fields, ringed with stone walls, with the forest which first gave up and is now taking back the farm plots of eastern Massachusetts. Head west from the parking area to visit the Towle Field which is still maintained as a hayfield. Trails head into the woods from the east border of the field. Since the town mascot is the mosquito, it stands to reason that we have plenty of ledge, rocks, and marsh to offer, as well. The two pieces of land have a bit different character and your route will take around, or through, this varied terrain. It is recommended that you stick to the marked trails for as long as you can to avoid adding stars to the difficulty rating of these treks.
Be aware of poison ivy and briars around the edges of the fields and take precautions against ticks in the grassy or brushy areas.
Points of Interest:
Cow Tunnel (a marvel of colonial bovine engineering) [42 31.867N; 71 21.781W]
Skull Rock (a favorite with the younger set) [42 31.589N; 71 21.726W]
Castle Rock (sacred to area’s first residents) [42 31.802N; 71 21.274W]